Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-04-18
April 10, 1887

indicated the partly opened French window.
stared at him in amazement What the
devil was her idea?"
Heaven knows! A strange woman thrusts
her way into mans house after ten O'Clock
at night, says it, urgent, then bolts
Has she taken anything?" looked around
the room. "Or left message for you-a
letter."
Morton shook his head. II don't know what
her game was. wish Id had look at her"
He stepped through the window into the gar
den, then returned and carefully fastened the
latch. We'll. give up, Colin. Come along
and finish your drink"
We talked about other matters for few
minutes, and l said good night. When do you
move into your new quarters at the Tower?'
asked him as got into my car, which stood
in the driveway. l noticed that his own
limousine was at the door.
"Officially, my duties start at six O'Clock
tomorrow morning he told me. 80 I'm NOV
ing in tonight. My baggage went over this
afternoon. You must come and lunch with me
one day, Colin. III call you up at your apart
ment There's one thing about living in the
Tower of London" he added with laugh;
strangers won't be able to gate-uash the
sentries and break in on me at night"
Ihadmy own opinion about that young wom-
an in the gray fur coat. Paris had been men
toned, and Morton had many friends there.
Perhaps this girl meant to use some familiar
name as an introduction, spin hard-luck
story, and touch him for money. 1t wasn't the
first time Id heard of this kind of confidence
trick She had probably lost her nerve at the
last moment, and | dismissed the whole thing
from my mind. But not many minutes had
passed before something happened that
smashed my theory into dozen fragments.
There was fog in the streets, one of those
cold March fogs that taste salt in your throat.
turned to take short cut down from Hamp-
stead, and was driving near the curb for safety.
l hadn't gone fifty yards when l pulled up
with jerk Under the light of street lamp
l saw figure lying on the pavement. The
next moment l recognized the girls gray fur
coat and auburn hair. Her head was back,
resting against the wall. For moment !
thought she was dead.
put my arm around her shoulders to raise
her. Her lips were parted and her long eye
lashes lay dark against her white skin. She
opened her eyes and drew in slow breath.
She gripped my arm: Who are you?"
Nobody in particular said. my name
happens to be Colin Elliott. I'm friend of
Major Morton's."
You followed me?"
mo; was on my way home. If you've got
anything special to say to Major Morton,
hadn't better drive you back"
She shook her head. She was breathing
quickly now. In the vague light from the
street lamp, could see that her eyes had an
expression very like terror Il daren't 20 back
Anyhow, you'd better get into the car" l
suggested She was shaking with nerves as l
helped her in, and she sat huddled on the seat.
Drive on - qutckly!" she said in low
voice. Puzzled, l slipped in the clutch and
turned down into the Edgeware Road.
When spoke to her she evaded my ques-
TONS Her voice was soft and cultured, and
Archie Morton's butler seemed to have de-
scribed her accurately when he said she was
lady She tried to thank me for helping her;
when we reached Piccadilly she asked me to
stop, but paid no attention.
You're just about all in.'' said, land
you're coming up to my apartment for some
thing to drink"
As expected, she refused; but was firm;