The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-06-05
DANtiNG+DAN6ER
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HtTt OF NoAAt 80 - - ~
her into my office earlier in the
evening"
l. skeptical.
Il see" Waring nodded. II
sounded plausible. even if he didn't
believe it. He'd have TO be more
careful than he ever had been be-
fore If Beatty was having his
place watched. Anything new on
the Bryce case. Chief? Any ar
rests. yet ,"
Il talked with Chief James this
morning, and the police are CO.
operating with US to the fullest
extent. They expect to have some-
thing definite today. They've al
ready picked up a couple of sus-
poets. but they're pretty sure
they're not the right people"
who's handling the case for
u.s."
"O'Clary. He's fine man. You
know, Waring. this Bryce business
has touched me. l was very fond
of him. 1t seems shame for a
brilliant young man like him, to
be cut short with his best years
still before him. He would have
gone a long way
A Long Way.
II know he would" Warning re-
piled. He hoped the sarcasm ne
felt wasn't reflected in his voice.
Indeed. Bryce would have gone a
long way.
He would have gone so far he
would have landed Beatty and
Tatum and the rest of the gang
who ran the city and county like
private kingdom behind the
bars
Beatty asked several questions
about how Madge had lost the
ring, and then dismissed his aide.
1t occurred to Waring. as he went
back to his own office, that his
chief hadn't seemed much sur
prised to learn that tn. girl no
longer had the ring.
He worked through the noon
hour, and worked to such good
purpose that he had cleared his
desk by four o'clock when his Sec
rotary reminded him that he was
expected to attend cocktail
party.
Waring had never been to the
Seldes home before, although he
had often seen it perched on its
commanding hill. He wondered if
he had misunderstood the time,
for when he drove his car into the
driveway, there were no other
motors in sight.
Jordan was at the door to meet
him, and apologized because his
mistress had not yet returned.
Is Expected.
She's expecting you, though.
sir, and instructed me to make
you comfortable. If you'll step
this way. sir"
Waring followed the butler into
the small reception room, and
smiled to himself as he noted how
a shaft of sunlight, striking the
mans almost entirely bald head,
made it shine like a piece of pol
ished ivory.
May I get you something to
drink, sir ?" Jordan inquired. When
Waring refused, he told him there
were cigarets and cigars in boxes
on the table and that he was to
make himself comfortable.
Mrs. Seldes should be home in
a few minutes, he added. She
telephoned that she was unexpect-
eddy detained"
He bowed himself out, and War;
ing relaxed in a big leather chair
after Lighting a cigaret
This doesn't look much like a
cocktail party" he unused, and fell
to specializing on the purpose of
Altonia's Lady Bountiful," as she
was often called in the newspa-
pers, in asking him there.
His cigaret was no more than
half gone, when Mrs. Seldes APP
peared in the doorway, dressed in
her street clothes.
Il must apologize, Mr.. War
ing" she said, for getting you
here on more or less false pre-
lenses. sent an invitation to
your office so that you might
come here openly, and not arouse
suspicion. There is no party. I
just want to talk to you"
Places Chair.
The butler had followed Mrs.
Seldes into the room, and placed
chair for her before Waring
could perform the service. When
Waring said he didn't care for a
cocktail, she nodded to Jordan
who quietly left the room, closing
the door.
Il know you must be surprised,
even if you haven't asked a lot of
questions" she said Believe me,
such precautions are necessary.
Mr.. Bryce never came here except
when others knew he was coming.
and there was a good reason to
give in case he was questioned.
You knew walton Bryce,
then ,"
The poor man. OF course.
knew him very we'll have been
supplying the money for his in
vestigations.
Madge's guess had been a good
one, Waring thought. Here was
the source Of Bryce's mysterious
supply Of ready cash.
ITO Be Continued)