The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-07-31

showed. She remained outwardly
calm.
But I know she was inwardly
seething when she said coldly:
For your wicked dollars. What
also would bring me to this so
mad city?"
There was a tense pause.
"You think me rude, perhaps?"
She shrugged. II have no par
ticular thoughts about you, mon
sieur," she forced herself to an
swer, Except the happy reflection
that in France, the gentlemen"
she emphasized the word mock
ingly-" showed more finesse in
addressing the ladies'"
The barb went home.
Under his tanned skin, Guy Hal
stead-Flagg Redeemed. He had
asked for it, and he had got it.
He longed to shake her, and yet
she had a devilish attraction.
Who was she?-he wondered.
A professional? He didn't think
so. A come-on? More likely that!
The notorious Niklas and his
decoy. Naturally she would have
the semblance Of a lady, consider
ing the clientele he aimed at!
when I said you reminded me
Of some one" he told her, falter-
ing a little and annoyed at his
confusion, "It was a painting-let
me see-in the Louvre, I think"
'"The Mona Lisa?" Her lovely
lips curled. always when the
gentlemen do not understand
everything about woman. they
call her the Mona Lisa" she
Knocked him.
Granted"
without leetle mystery we
are nothing! The fisherman grows
bored-ennuye-when he sees clear
to the bottom Of the pool!"
EFT is charming of you to create
the mystery" he said shortly,
keenly watching her face. She
was an enigma. Or was she? She
was putting on an act to earn a
living.
And such a living! He thought
of his young brother, Randy, dead
these past three years. A girl like
this one-lovely, talented, and
wicked, had destroyed him. Were
he a Samson, he would tear down
this night club and all it repre-
sented!
ct am no mystery. I am what I
am"
"a beauty. An enchantress. I
prophesy this club will have a
great success" His eyes Shone
with the hardness of steel.
To her own amazement, she
heard herself asking: why do
you hate it?"
Hate itP" He feigned surprise.
"That is a hard word, marquise.
I come"-he Srnilad Sardonically-
because the study Of human ma
ture intrigues me. I am an OBJ
server"
"Like Sherlock Holmes. per-
hapS?"
She was fencing with him. Now
he definitely knew that. Niklas
had instructed her beforehand.
That was why he had brought him
to her. NiklaS suspected him, with
reason.
He was convinced Of this, when,
deity, she started to question him
about his doings in New York.
Niklas had brought them together
so that she might pump him, find
out just how much he knew or suS-
pected, foil him on his own ground.
He lifted the bottle Of cham
payne, started to refill her glass.
please, no. I have had enough,
thank you" She put a slim white
hand on his arm-a lovely hand,
he noticed.
She was the right girl in the
wrong job, obviously. Did she re-
alize she was on the edge Of a
volcano?-he wondered.
Il am surprised, marquise. I
had the impression that you liked
playing with fire" He smiled. He
had excellent white teeth.
IF you refer to yourself, mon
sieur, there is no fire in your
heart" she said. to his amaze
ment. "Only a piece of ice. It
tinkles. Its words to me echo hol-
low. Pardon my frankneSS."
'Marquise, you are completely
wrong" But there was no ardor
in the phrase. It sounded ironical.
And so did the words: II had to
meet you. You drew me like a
magnet across the room"
Ito Be Continued
Copyright, 1887. by King Features
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