Show THE THREE STRINGS By NAT NATALINE ALINE S SUMNER LIMNER LINCOLN Author of The tiThe Nameless Man 1 Copyright l 1918 lS by D. D Appleton So Co Copyright Public Ledger Company READ THIS FIRST Preston ton returning to h her r home homeI I In Washington ton unexpectedly finds a tr man dead deul In hr tho rho library r An n autopsy develops tle the tho fact that his death was as duo dUG to acid probably admin admin- administered In ch cherry rr brand brandy Evelyns Evelyn's mother and stepfather Peter Burnham arrive but Bro are unable to throw any m light lighton on the Jn mystery tery Captain La Montague Montagne In In love 10 with Evelyn Eveln learns from Marian Marlan Van nn Ness a friend that his letters to Evelyn E havo have been Intercepted Marian Marlan arranges for tor a of or tho rho lovers enl at ather ather ather her homo home Burnham and Maynard a I friend vl visit lt Palmer an nn architect and a I ph physician The They discuss tho th mystery Burnham expresses tho wish to see the murderer captured A bullot whIzzes past t his hie head hend grazing crazing his flesh flesh- Palmer ru rushes to the door of the sP ment which Is open and Is there met b byLa by La JA Montage who Inquires the way to the Van Ness NeM apartment Burnham I shouts That damned Frenchman tried to kill 1111 me met I and falls Insensible I r CHAPTER 19 Further Dev Developments Under the full Lull laro of tho rho electric lights which he had turned on Palmer Palme tramped uneasily up ul and down his lilg liv Ih livIng livIng liv- liv Ing InS room while whilo he ho waited waite for Cor Hayden to return from Crom tho bedroom where th the tho ree men had taken Peter r Burnham twenty minutes before beCore Maynard more self controlled rat Fat before tho cht chess board and utterly lost to his hia companions companion's continued restlessness s. he ho moved mOed the ches chessmen about Intent only on solving some abstruse problem The minutes dra dragged aV along a ng before Palmers Palmer's Impatience was finall finally rewarded by br the entrance o tho physician hr Burnham has regained consciousness conscious conscious- ness ne and Is resting more easil easily he announced as the two m men n came cam toward him If H he continues lo to im Im- prove prove-I prove pron I 1 see no reason why he Ire should not return home a little later If It not lot not lie c m my hc bedroom room interrupted interrupted inter inter- Palmer But some ome one will have C to lo tell Mrs 1 Burnham Palmer did not look happy at at the thought Guess Il Its It's s up to you jou Maynard to break the tho news you OU are arc their houseguest house guest lIest Hayden walked over to lo the wall and stared nt al the the bullet then without speaking to 10 his companions he paced p paced ced oft off the distance to the window facing the tle balcony which still sUII remained open and n 1 reaching there ho he turned and studied d the room Tho The bullet must havo lao como come from I rom this direction he said sahL Burnham Burnham was 39 I sitting directly In the line o of or fire Ire Did I you OU see se nn any one lurking on the balcon bal bal- con cony Palmer when you OU looked out Xo No and yet ret some one must have been hl hiding there Palmer stepped over to tho window Its ls l's a dark night pointing night pointing to the tho overcast sk sky and foggy atmosphere and the light lightn in n this room made mado the balcony darker b by contrast I 1 dont don't see sea how any anyone one I could havo gotten otten on tho the balcony from the hall in the brief time which clap elapsed ed edI r I J r between m my turning m my back to the thet t I window and the of the shot it I was like that that that- thatA A s snap aJ of or his fingers finders Illustrated his meaning Maynard l moved nearer An agile man could coul do it ho ha spoke poke with conviction conviction conviction con con- I found the tho balcony window win win- window dow in the hall standing wide Ide open I Palmer walked down tho the room to the desk telephone Then I think we had better call in the lie police he said Captain Captain Captain Cap tain Le Montagne can explain his presence presence presence pres pres- ence In the corridor to them lIe He did to you rou t retorted Maynard warmly lie stated he was looking for Mrs Van Vaness' Vaness Ness Ness' apartments lit lo Montagne l is absolutely straight I have known him for years ears he would not to assassination But Burnhams Burnham's words or implied Implied- objected Palmer Dont place llaco too much reliance In m statement Interrupted Hayden Ho made It when what 11 bal half de delirious de- de better watt walt until he lie Is In n a condition to explain more fully rutty the wound rounds for t the animosity I which j judg g I ing from Crom his remark exists between him and La L' Montagne A wise sU suggestion declared Maynard Maynard May May- nard heartily Doctor you OU have havo sense now Palmer r. r put down the tho t telephone telephone tele tele- le- le phone and let us t In Investigate ate this matter matter mutter mat mut- ter ourselves es without calling in the police nt nL any rate rale not now he ne added l Heeln seeing Palmer still kept hold hohl of or the telephone Suppose Suppo e 1 I go JO up to Mrs Irs Van Ness Ness' apartment an and anil t see sec If Ir La Montagne is there then Ill I'll come back and report what I 1 learn Palmer set st tho the telephone back on the tho desk Ill go after arter you ho an an- an here Hayden Harden if It you ou need aid In looking after arter Burnham Just ring for him or sen send him up for tor us Como on Maynard and he started for tor forthe forthe the door Maynard keeping step with him They found Coun l the corridor de deserted deserted lle- lle as the they wall walked e down on Its Us length lenth toward tho the staircase t. Mrs Ir Van Yan Nf Ness Ness' s' s apartment Is le on the next floor remarked Palmer No r need nell of or taking the tho elevator elc an and In j I sll the tho two men mounted tho the stairs i On reaching the top l I Maynard who was as slightly In advance of his companion com com- I panion found the corridor blocked cd by several se suitcases and a trunk A man standing standing- by the freight elevator elc shaft Bhat left off ringing the bell and hurried toward Maynard Be Beg pardon he lie exclaimed hauling haulin the trunk to tn one side to permit Maynard Maynard May May- nard and Palmer passing passin- along I l 1 thought the elevator tor would be here now no Evenin evening Mr 11 Palmer and nd he touched his his- cap on recognizing tho the architect Oh Sam Sam Palmer nodded affably hl to the taxi driver mo in moving out tonight ht The Tho party part In 41 sir Ir and 01 hes he's again to n miss hi his train if h he dont don't I look sharp harp Sam puss IH d IIII cl I 1 bpI U 01 M o n the damp red hair hall which tumbled tum turn bled hied down on Oil hl his n 1 1 lI i ito lIto to lIen send the tho Janitor up UI on the freighter r I for or his things thine but I t b bet t hes he's I 1 In my car cal where Im I'm at t these theo II here MT for foreigners arc mighty queer I l' l sometimes Palmer laughed Im glad 41 li Is i leaving I shant shan't bo ho anno annoyed b h by his noisy parties over o m my head I Heres Here's I the tho elevator elc now Sam good night I And not walling waiting for tor Sams Sam's response I Palmer hastened after Maynard who I had strolled down ono one of or the wings s of or orthe the building from the main corridor Which way ho Inquired turning about as Palmer touched him That further door there an and striding forward Palmer laid an nn Im Impatient Impatient Im- Im inpatient in- in patient finger on tho bell There Thore was wasa a slight delay then tho the door was Wl orene opened l by an oM old colored c mammy her black face aca in striking contrast to her snow white apron cuffs and collar Can we see Mrs 1 Nt Van Vaness Ness ess ask asked d Palmer Sa Say Mr rr Maynard In nar and nd Mr Ir Palmer As t opened nell the door still further ho he entered tho the small anteroom anteroom anteroom ante ante- room Just as Marian Van alt Ness ss ap ap- appeared in the thc door doorway of or her parlor There was as a slight pause of or uncertainty j In her at manner manner at least one o of Clio tho ho men Judged so bon before before sho she ad advanced advanced ad- ad to greet erect them ahem Como in sh she said and led the wa wanto way ay Into nto tho parlor Evelyn sitting with Rene lene La Montagne Ionta ne on the tho sofa sora looked up with some alarm at Palmer but a glimpse of or Maynard h Just behind him him brought rought a quick smile of or pleasure in ints Its ts train La L. Monta Montagne ne springing to his feet teet I hailed Maynard with I a 1 t joyous exclamation matlon mation i 1 Ah Ali mon man ami well ell met met He lie shook hool laynard's Maynards hand with effusion How Hows Is s it with you Well Rene nene Maynards Maynard's ra nards eyes twinkled twinkled twin- twin kled led as he ho caught lively Evelyn's Evelyns ns n's embarrassed embarrassed embar- embar assed greeting of oC Palmer and the theIder older Ider mans man's scowl as he he- acknowledged with scant courtesy Marian's Marians Introduction intro- intro to the French Fre ch officer r Palmer had lad not anticipated seeing Evelyn but I 1 with the assurance which characterized characterIzed character character- all his actions he lie promptly took tool the seat by her left len vacant by La Montagne sn and addressed her r In so low lowa a tono tone that the tho others were left to chatter ch together For the tho first five minutes La L' Montagne Mon Mon- Montagne tagne bore Lore the brunt of ot making conversation conversation conversation con con- and Maynard Improved ed the tho opportunity to silently observe tho the attractive at- at c room in which they sat Hat but hut I even as he studied the few tew od paintings paint ings and pictures on the walls 1 his I eyes turned back with ever lr quickening i Interest t to Marian Marinn who in her simple II I evening gown engrossed c hl hits attention Her charm however did not did not lie tie in the perfect fit tit of or her gown h her r dark eyes and their their- long lono lashes la or the soft soH pink pinkI of or h her r cheeks which deepened and paled as lR she talked but in an Indefinite I something called for or want of ot a better uett I I name personality W Po e were er Just discussing n you ou Mr II I I I lIy Maynard 1 a nard sh she said catching his Ills eye eb I I pas J HI s he again looked at her I havo II III I p persuaded Evelyn ant and Captain La to tal take tale e part in a Red Cross I h benefit tableau and play to bo be given Saturday at the Belasco and Evelyn wondered if It you OU would aid us with suggestions I shall be delighted to lo to tonas was nas Maynards Maynard's Maynard's Maynards Maynards Maynard's May May- nards nard's quick response What are tho the tableaux to be r Patriotic scenes and representations of out our heroic milieu alllen explained Mariun Martun hurriedly she had been quick to perceive perceive perceive per per- La Montagne's restless glances at Evelyn Evern and his evident c anger at the prolonged tete-a-tete tete which Palmer was having with her She raised her r rolce voice olce as as' she sho turned her chair slightly nearer the so sofa a. a I already have your our costume or ordered ered Evelyn E your our tableau will vIll not require requIre rehearsing Ill ask mother I if I 1 may take part replied F. el Evelyn n glad o of nn an opportunity to make the conversation general She recalled her confidence of oC the morning to La Ln no regarding Palmer Palmer- an and t to flaunt an apparent flirtation in tho the face tace of oC her French JO f lover r was wa repugnant to h her r frank and loyal loat nature All fashionable Washington a I I Is tal taking In part pan Jn to the benefit Mr Maynard Maynard May May- ra nard wont won't you ou help holp us I 1 certainly will Maynard Ia nard unified nt at tho enthusiasm with which she put the question Why hy not give she me mc a apart apart apart part You Evelyn's Evelyns eyes es opened wide My Iy goodness we we re w would bo be afraid to act with you you the the girls would could all be stricken dumb Let me have p th the mutes mute's part lauh laughed d dla Maynard la Really I r Am nm not noto so o terrifying am I 1 J appealing ealing directly direct direct- ly h to Marian Harlan Not no so 0 very r she responded a trW trifle absently Th pla play I is trite trite trite- some t society rind d not not I not nol she stumble stumbled III In her speech p ch and nd I j continued quickly not worthy your you our r I histrionic talent Mr rr Maynard bu butI but t I there thre is a t which If It you would undertake would be a n. great drawing I earn cara j I Put mo me down don for tor it declared dc Maynard May May- nard And let nick mek now the hours o of r plow How about you P Palmer Palme are Arc you ou doing your our bit In the tho benefit benefit benefit bene bene- fit Im helping with the stage effects Palmer shrugged his sho shoulders I Not 1 ot much work there for tor forthe forthe I the local theatres have ha loaned all necessary necessary necessary essary scenery What part havo have you planned for forme forme forme me Madame Van Ness asked ell La LaMontagne Montague Montagne while his eyes eagerly caged sought Evelyn who who answered his question with Hh a saucy smile I 1 hear you are to sing The Mar Mur- I she he said Hald Now Xo dont don't re- re fuse fuso I I I Refuse I l I 1 a i would have havo risen and gone gono uno to her but th the pressure of oC Ma Maynards Maynard's narda foot on his under the table recalled the tho excitable Frenchman to Hie he fact that he and i Evelyn were not nol alone alon I will do anything hu lit announced I but await orders That Thal is what we all 11 do these da 1 broke in Maynard ru He glanced at j I Palmer and at La Would Palmer make the tire first move o to go so or 01 was waN wa he waiting for tor him l t to do BO so I I I i 1 I I E elan's E ns n's presence complicated the sit sit- I 1 lIe He did not wish to tell teU her that j her stepfather had been shot and had hadI I narrowly p escaped death nor did he hewish hewish wish L. La Montagne l to leave leavo before he could question him as to his presence in tho corridor outside e Palmers Palmer's open hall door Just after aCter the attempted as as- as Ho Ito himself could not go so without offering to see sea gel Evelyn n home and courtesy demanded that ho wait walt for tor her to mako make tho first move o to leave Ie For all his self control Maynard May May- Maynard I nard was waR conscious o of a n desire to throttle Palmer who having captured the conversational ball wa was keeping it rolling by talking oer o'er every instant 1 Maynard Maynard May May- nard wondered I if 1 Palmer r had for forgotten forgotten forgot forgot- oLten oL- oL ten tho the en errand enand and which had brought them there thero In his absorption In Evelyn g and his endeavor to monopolize her nall I tested rested his bis elbow on a mahogany ma- ma mahogany table by h he sat but his I elbow slipped on the rr rf face and ami a shower of oC raj b by his sudden movement mO iii to IQ floor With a quick word ord ord of I lri Oh og ogy he he- stooped d to pick t them Ihen tp to y lending his a J JIt fault tault m It is really m my Eel Evelyn n who had turned to tee teethe e r n rc 2 the commotion was as about i I i Wit business to leave lean your pip LA i Marian Harlan My Iy papers echoed nI 1 j papers do you OU refer to E t Wb Why those Captain Lt 11 oU 1 asked aske me mo to return to you oo 00 rn Frei bit her lip UP she had p n b forgetting that she had d It tell no one of ot meeting La b Potomac park that no morning r likely to tell L Urr to Ur would bo be boerr vet very err J Jer er r or worse worSt he her het l step W 11 In n xe Evelyn eln bit her Up lip I Continued 1 I |