The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-09-01

w
come to the club that evening,
and departed without carrying
out her intention Of breaking the
bad news to the promoter that
his star Of the performance had
summarily left town
Let Niklas find out on his own.
Get quickly back to the apart.
ment. 70
1t occurred to Niklas, as he
looked around, that there were
certain totally strange male faces
in the club tonight-but on
New Year Eve that was to be
expected.
Diaz came over to him, looking
a little anxious-which was odd,
in view Of the fact that the club
was now packed with q smart
throng!
A CALAMITY
"Such a calamity that Madame
la Marquise has been summoned
home to the sick bed Of her
mother!" were the astonishing
words that fell on the ear Of the
promoter.
Niklas stared at his head.
waiter.
when did that happen?"
But I thought you had al.
ready heard! You were not
told?"
Indeed I was not" Niklas
was much annoyed. why didn't
you let me know Immediately?
Well have to put on her under.
study, and she is not at all brill
liant" His tongue made a
clicking sound of disgust.
But I have only just learned
Of it myself. One of the boys -
Saltus-told me. He received q
telephone message for the Mar
quise."
Hes a fool. It was his duty
to let one Of us know directly he
heard. Dismiss him, Diaz. T
have no patience with FOOLS"
And NiklaS strobe to his stars
dressing room, which was indeed
empty.
A quarter to twelve. Five min
utes to midnight. The big hand.
clasping ring was formed, ex.
tending completely around the
floor.
On the stroke of midnight the
lights went out. The big clock
chimed. Church bells rang out.
There were yells and cheers
from the throngs on Broadway
. from all over
Happy New Year!"
GREAT BABEL
81 great was the babel on the
floCH Of the Chateau de Ia Mar.
quiSe that queer sounds Of Scuf.
fling went unnoticed by the
owner, though he was aware
that stronger hands than those
Of the girls who had been on
either side Of him before the
lights went out now gripped his
palms to right and left.
"They are two men who mis-
take me for a Woman!" He stood
stock still. He was amused.
Suddenly, still in the darkness,
but only a second before the
lights were switched on, he felt
on either wrist, the weight Of
cold steel!
Don't struggle. The laws got
you'll"
These were the words that usho
cred in the New Year for NiklaSs
head of an international drug ring.
Too late to shoot it out! He
carried two little revolvers. He
had ; deadly aim-but no use
now. For behind him was a third
detective in evening clothes. Swift
hands removed his weapons
from his vest pocket-from the
pocket in his tails.
Pandemonium reigned in the
Chateau de MarquiSe.
II do believe you, my dear" Guy
assured Toni as the plane Whirled
them on through the keen night
air. You knew nothing Of the
real character of the club and its
owner-you had to earn a living.
Well forget all that, including
your mythical French back
ground!" He smiled leniently, ten.
derby, at her.
Where are you taking me?"
Will the police follow? Will they
understand I didn't know any.
thing?"
I'm taking you to my home in
Kentucky. No. they won't follow
us. I exposed Niklas and the Glib
to the authorities, on the condi.
ton that you were to be let free,
that you were innocent"
you exposed it alp" She was
amazed.
MY young brother died from
dope. From then one, vowed I
would do everything possible to
save others from a similar fate.
Antoinette. you do understand"
She looked into his eyes.
You believed that-Niklas and
I were-sweethearts?" she asked
family.
Forgive me for ever having
thought so! I found out how ut
terly mistaken I was"
For a time there was a long
pause.
He slipped an arm about the
trembling figure of the girl.
viii you marry me, Antoinette?
You'll love Kentucky. Well live
down there, away from the rush
and false glitter of New York"
You mean, you really want,
me?" The world whirled. Tho
spheres spun and sang joyously.