Show ERED BUlION ITI ii 7 i iii WIN WILL lr c DIe The door rattled Tommy North was back L t i Mr MT NO North h said Rosalie J JL Im J In your office help for the da day Wo We want you to do rio for us You dont understand now but yo you will Dont Don't you co Ito ho house go until t tomorrow tomorrow morrow yoU sleep out tonight ht an breakfast out tomorrow I can an give vo you youa ou oua a a. rebate rebato if you demand it she sho pur pur- purt t sued dimpling on him r 1 H All AU rl right ht take it out of or that first fint I weeks week's board you vou stung mo so 60 hard or Tommy North Th Then n his hs eyes sought fought Barbara's BetRY-Barbara's with a troubled look the tho answer ho asked There Theres s no answer s said nd Rosa 1 10 Lo Ie Grange not Dot just at present Lx Lx- cent you'll be bo glad you did at it an Ill I'll explain some omo day dav myself Go 90 where you you want lant tonight Only get et 1 drunk runk Oh Oh he won wont won't ont t do that of course courso put pot in Betsy Which defensive assurance o quito quite restored re ro stored tho the spirits of Tommy North and the tho smile miJe came back to his hs faco But But promise us liS one ono thing you thing you will D never Cr IR say a word to to anybody about this put in Ro Rosalie I I promise E said salU Tommy as 8 solemnly sol liol as ho could considering that hi his hir heart danced Sho She had tak u up tho the thor ther r r cudgels for him t Out in the hall haJJ R Rosalie remarked You You can ean trust quite a lot Jot of people with a secret if you pick lick the tho ri right ht ones Now we must be gottin Jettin ou on But HIlt Betsy Barbara's curio curiosity ity mado 00 one final struggle Oh Mrs Lo Le Gran Grange o is Mr Wado ado to be bl proved ro Cd innocent 1 May fa I tell Constance that You can cau tell her nothing under under understand stand f Just nothing But probably he ho hoI f I j is ju just t the I f When l wo vo kno asked Betsy Betsy- Barbara I You You may maj- J know now tomorrow tomorrow tomor tomor- row tOW i if you ou re a good girl rJ an an do 10 just as asIve asPic Ive I've told you Prom From tho the morning paper i Well t l certainly hope not notI said ilo alic Lo La Orange 1 I They parted at nt the corner No o s sooner oner onerI I huil util Betsy Barbara tak taken n a Fifth aye aye- J mio uc stage and started ou on her puzzling journey of intrigue lIe than Rosalie called raIled a t taxicab a anti and 1111 set lJ her r course for tho the 1 cast eat ido ide docks of lower Manhattan I Here we wo must introduce a new character char char- acter in this story a person who flashes in and ancl out as as' as people arc ever er Hashing flashing in iu and ami out of our lives h h bearing service in iii their hands bands At t this point al also o appear though h. h over ever so slightly Ithe clement of oC coincidence Luck had hadr r Centered jc a little into these operations p of n Rosalie Lo be Gran Orange Grange c as it enters to an n extent that a novelist never nc dares admit admit ad mit into all ihl chains 9 pf f human affairs This final stroke O of luck was small maJl but it fell feU toward to Rosalie's HOf e rl cuds ds Doubt J less Jess had hail it faTed she the fertile would have havo found another plan plau as good The new ncr character then is Skipper Matt Iatt Baldwin aldvin of the schooner Maude faud cn engaged a ed in in the tho coastwise lumber trade I The rhe is HI lying at it tho the dock Q k preparing preparing jn ing to sail for Halifax on the morrow with a D. return cargo A and pl pleasant old man JUan the Skipper Baldwin with an ca eagle lc profile denotes hi his courage e and a soft oft eye cye which indicates hi his gullibility lIe He tossed n a lif life l J u uOn ng on too tea seven seas sea before re he be bought the Maud Mau and settled down clown for the tho re rest t of his lIis days to coasting He was a widower o of long and affectionate because be be- cause al of that and because of his search starch I ings of the spirit on lonely voyages he be became a believer er in spiritualism of the kind ib which Rosalie Lo Jo Grange use used to practice Rosalie was his favorite medium medium arid and his friend Between voyages voy oy oya a ages ageo eg whenever ho he fount found her in New NewYork Newt t York ho bo used ed to td visit isit her an and receive a a consolation a-consolation which was was false falc in detail and yet true in spirit To the general there are only two ways of looking tr at a professional medium medium as as a a hellborn hell fraud or a heaven sent friend To 1 him she was wa all a friend There was nothing ho be told her n again ain and again that he would not do flo for her She he be 1 that and her hor beliefs in jn t tho o heights and depths of humanity seldom the tho schooner went wrong ron Toward taxi taxa- Maud Mauri sho was now driving her beT cab Tho The piece picco of luck was this at tho the very moment when tho the taxicab rounded the the- corner from Wall street and and tho the driver dri be began an to inquire for pier Captain Baldwin was as near to profanity profanity pro pro- fanity as his bio convictions allowed Asfor Aslor As Asfor for lor the mate ho had bad no convictions which prevented him Irom from expressing himself to the limits of his vocabulary over o that unlucky k ne nc accident ident that tum turn tumble blo ble into the tho hatches c which had sent Bent a newly signed Italian member of the crew t to hospital nursing a a broken arm With all the heaven condemned con con- thin things tho they they- had to do do- before tho the improper old scow seoW-COull seoW could bo be cleared in the morning how the sin in and sul suJ the mato mate inquired of the tho bri bright h hair air were wre the they going oin to di dig up another sailor t to satisfy tho the port regulations 7 The skipper braiding rope returned no answer for answer there was g nono none CHAPTER The Tho Last Fortunately for her her- plans only three of Rosalie Rosalio Le Granges Grange's regular boarders ever came home homo to luncheon luncheon Con Con Constance stance Betsy Barbara and Professor Noll Nohl Of th these 5 two were disposed d of for for the dl day Professor Noll Nolt reporting in tho the dining room at sharp sharp sharp- r regular meals at regular lar hours houtS was a a. canon of or the tho Noll NoU scientific plan plan found found three strangers already alread- placed and eat eat- jug ing Two young men powerful and slow moving sat Bat at either side of the hostess At the tho other end of the table in Miss ifS Hardings accustomed seat scat was wasa a matronly woman gray haired but alert of m motion tion and eve O Mr U Kennedy Kennedy Mr Hunter Mrs I T want to introduce Professor Non Noll The professor in is one of my iny re regular regu regu- lar mr boarders This Ja lady y and these gentlemen gen gon- en themon are aro transients they'll bo ho with us just lust a a few f- days said aid Rosalie L Le IA Grah 5 ran go c. c The men inca nodded an and fell feU to their luncheon of which they consumed con con- vast quantities Mrs Leary however smiled upon him an experienced exper smile f M Mrs rs Leary pursued Rosalie LaGrange Le La LeGran LeGrange Gran Grange c has got ot somo some n views Im m sure you'd like to see You wont won't bo bo in this afternoon will you f No said Professor Noll sorry I Im I'm in making makin up the tho paper toda today I wont won't get d homo home until just before my ray dinner h 1 My Mv habit Dabit he added addressing address addressing ing Mrs Leary always to dine just justat justat I at nt 7 7 i. Not that thit tho the hour of 7 or any other hour makes a R. difference in tho the I absolute It is re regularity that counts counts- mathematical re regularity Tho The intestinal tina system is a a. machine admirable admira ble hIe well balanced nicel nicely calculated to its uses Now tho the minute study of scientific management has tro proved troed ed that thata a machine machine machine- And Ana so Prof Professor Noll NoU having in mounted his hobby bobby rodo rode blithe blithe- lv 1 away a upon it and Mrs Leary with withal al all the read ready v tact of the experienced d police matron that she sho was wast vaulted to tho the pommel and rodo rode with him nira nim Rosalie Rosalie Rosa Rosa- lie had learned all she sho wanted to know Professor Noll NoH would not trouble her er again that afternoon oon A As Ag Professor Noll NoB still talking diet to Mrs Loary Leary pu put t on on his overcoat Rosalie Rosalie Ro Ro- Ro salie sought the tho kitchen Sho She addressed Mrs Moore tho tim cook and th the tho waitress I all busy stacking un ur Un tho the soiled coiled dishes I Ive got ot a little surprise surprie for fOT you yon girls she he said A IA gentleman friend o of ot mine mino who sings in the tho chorus of Laughing Jal Lass sent me mo three seats for the professional matinee matine-e today But this morning mornin two people I Iwas was going goin oin to take telephoned they the the- ey couldn't couldn come on on account of of- sickness m in tho family Now this Leary shows up up-sho's up sho's an old friend an she sho positively hates music Just this once Im I'm goin oin to to tove give ve you an afternoon off an an let you leave leavo tho the dishes Mrs Loary an I will win do them Sho Sho's She's 5 been in hotels that long she's just hungry for bou housework she says Strikes Strike you kind of funny dont don't it that rather wash dishes than matinee than go srO to a m U A A professional matinee cried the cook that Arc they right downstairs f I asked the tho waitress I must put on roy ray brown dress mourned Mrs Moore I u uV Well V you'll ba have ve to hurry harry if youre you're gem goin to fuss up said Rosalie Rosalio The Tho theatre is awa away uptown and tho the curtain goes up at sharp harp an its it's way p past t 1 now I Rosalie Rosalio had bad looked out for these details whoa when sho she bou bought ht tho the seats Beats at a downtown ticket a agency ency Forthwith aprons camo came off and smiles came on as the inhabitants of ot Madame Lo Le Gran Granges Grange's os o's select t boarding house scurried to their finery They wore gone at length after an uncomfortable period during which R Rosalio Ro Re- salio saUo twice betrayed her nervousness by knocking at their doors and reminding reminding re re- re minding them that tho the time timo was wa was short Another pause Tho chimes of the tho I Metropolitan tower rang rans- the tho hour of 2 At tho the first strike Rosalie as ono one who finds relief in action ran down the basement steps and opened tho back door Inspector Martin McGee dressed in plain clothes and ana carrying a small email ba bag was waiting outside 11 All An set f he asked under his breath II Everything's r ready replied d Ro Rosalie Rosalle salie salle as she sho led tho the way across the basement But Inspector McGee McGeo stopped her at ato tho o stairway Say it its it's 3 all right to let lot you ou have ha your our head bead and do your own way war reported back tor br other d duty ty at I 1 0 clock o'clock just as s you Ou told him Bit Im I'm running risks riska when I take tako your word that you'll deliver this Estrilia when wo 0 want him him or or I would bo ho if it wa was anybody but you Why cant can't you toll moP See here bore Mart Marty r McGee said Rosalie Ro Re- salie satie I Ive got r ready to put one of the tho Biggest feathers in your our cap that you on over ever wore wora An An I Ive I've ye do dono done it by br gem gain my own womans woman's way If it hadn't been for or me you boon beon barkin up the wrong tree V yet t. t I Iv y ade acted 1 this way because be be- cause canse I do things woman an there aint a a. single mutt man Dlan alive that would ever eves say 1 i was as on the tho right track until until I i delivered t the tho e goods The hardest thing i I l now is Is' to tell what I know that enow that's a n. habit Are Aro Aru you gain goin to believe me mo when I Sa say that 1 I can an put my mv hands lands on this Estrilla whenever I 1 l please o Are you goin gem to leave leavo vo that to tome tome me just like youve you've left the whole thing so far fart Reassured Inspector McGeo smiled on her Usually that smile mile directed on Rosalie Lo Grange brought a responsive responsive sive sho flash of coquettish dimples and sparkling teeth But it seemed like liko trying tring to firo fire dead ashes now DOW Her face faco was serious senous and drawn Suddenly it encored en en- cored his mind mind- that sho she looked her age Unacquainted with that defiance of time by winch which a charming woman ma may be fifty in iu ono ou minute and anel twenty in the tho next ho he pondered on this tills with 1 all his hiA heavy T mental processes And suddenly it came camo to Inspector McGee McGeo with a kind kincl of shock k that he re regarded her all aU the themore moro more tenderly It was a pity that hat such as Rosalie Rosalio Lo La Grange should lose oso her young looks U Of Of course Jon youre you're re goin oin I to leave it to to me mcl Now come on sai sail said I Ro Rosalio LaGrange Lc Le LeGrange Grange breaking into his meditations The two city detectives and the one poliCe matr matron 1 wore Were waiting a Un silently in Rosalie Le Granges Grange's room As AB the inspector in- in entered a chau change e came caine over them Nono None rose roso or shifted position but their bodies took on an appearance appear an ance e of alert stiffness their faces a alook alook look ook of attention Salutes square square- shoulders ders dors all an tho the frills and decorations of military etiquette were unnecessary among these four to prove tho the strictness of the inspectors inspector's command McGeo locked the tho door behind him Rosalie closed tho the transom Is ls this place safe for talk now Pe Perfect feet said Rosalie Ive Ivo tried it But talk low to be sure The inspector opened the bag uTh Th Thore re roe e 9 your shoes felt he said Now listen boys boys and and you Mrs Mr Leary This hero here lad lady is running this thing until I tell you different Got your notes and pencils pencil Kennedy All rig right t. t Mrs Le tell cm em Grange you em just what von you want Wh When n Rosalie Rosalio had hatt rehearsed her drama with ith careful provision for Unforeseen unforeseen un Un- foreseen emergencies when her forces had scattered scattered Hunter Hunter to tho the basement Kennedy Kennedy- to Miss Har Hardings Harding's room room Mrs Leary impersonating tho maid io to the tho front Rosalie door door- Rosalie door Rosalio stood alone Tf with Inspector In In Inspector McGee Well everything's ready ready said the inspector II and a d times time's precious Yes Yes Im I'm goin gain in a minute she he responded responded- but her voice was dead I fool like leel-like fool like iwas Iwas goin to tobo bo be operated on That's hb how I f feel II Aw Aw brace braco up said Martin Mc Me- Gee Oce Rosalie Rosalio did not answer answer at once Tier Her eyes sweeping the tho room to a avoid void direct gaZe gazo lighted on the thc dr dresser r where stood a photo photograph ph of Constance Hanska a Hanska-a a solicited gilL gift She Sho fixed her l gaze gaze- on that and the tho fallen lines of her lier face lifted with determination Yes sho said Im Fm goin to tobra bra brace braco o ug Sho She started upstairs then to that room th third floor r back bace tho the center centor of f the sinister web which sho she had made of this her dwelling place so strangely acquired qu red so BO strangely used In that web straggled a a. half blind half distracted distracted dis dis- fly toward which sho the tho spider was now creeping Some such comparison compari compari- son may have struck Ro Rosalio for she shuddered twice in her slow progress And these were not the assumed shudders ders which announced her hor false H control control con eon Ro Rosalie lie knocked at Miss iss Estrilla's door Come in I cried tho the invalid more |