Page:Earl Derr Biggers - Seven Keys to Baldpate (1913).djvu/108

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SEVEN KEYS TO BALDPATE

"The bandits of Baldpate," he remarked flip pantly, glancing at the two men, "have their own code of honor, and the first rule is never to betray a pal."

"Splendid !" laughed the girl. "You said, I be lieve, that Professor Bolton was fleeing from the newspapers. I am fleeing for the newspapers— to attract their attention—to lure them into giving me that thing so necessary to a woman in my pro fession, publicity. You see, I am an actress. The name I gave you is not my stage name. That, perhaps, you would know. I employ a gentleman to keep me before the public as much as possible. It s horrid, I know, but it means bread and butter to me. That gentleman, my press-agent, evolved the present scheme—a mysterious disappearance."

She paused and looked at the others. Mr. Ma- gee surveyed her narrowly. The youthful bloom of her cheek carried to him no story of grease paint; her unaffected manner was far from sug gesting anything remotely connected with the stage. He wondered.

"I am to disappear completely for a time," she went on. "'As though the earth had swallowed