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Show Y Y Y V BANNIJTERMERWI zjUZr27ZA77(XKS J33T Vi I SYNOPSIS. ol CHXPTER IV. Continued. It was really The giil laughed: and was Hdlculous. He caught hy one of those roadside motor car traps, 10 or 12 miles out In the country. They timed him, and stopped him by a bar across the road. From what the detective says, 1 judge he was frightened almost to speechless-ness- . He may have thought that he was being arrested for stealing the car. When they dragged him before the country justice, who was sitting under a tree near by, he was white over-speede- d and trembling.' $10." He had in his j "They fined him pocket only $11.63, and the marked hill was nearly half the sum. He begged them to let him go offered them his watch, his ring, his scarf pin but the justice insisted on cash. Then he told them that the bill had a formula on it that was valuable to him and no one else, The justice was obdurate, and Mr. porltol finally hit on the device which you have seen. It fitted in well with his sense of the theatrical; and the detective says that there was not a scrap of paper at hand. The point was that Mr. Porltol was more afraid of delay than anything else. He knew hat I would put some one on his track. -When did all this happen? asked Orme. i Yesterday afternoon. Mr. Porltol came back to Chicago by trolley and got some money. He went back to the country justice and discovered that the marked bill had been paid out. He has followed it through several persons to you. Just as Maku did, as Jind I have done. But heard I nothing. of the Japanese. You shouldnt have attempted this alone, said Orme, solicitously. She smiled faintly. I dared not let anyone into the secret. I was afraid that a detective might learn too much. She sighed wearily. I have teen on the trail since morning. And how did you finally get my ad- dress? The man who paid the bill in at the hat shop lives in Hyde Park. 1 did not get to him until this evening, while he was at dinner. He directed me to the hat shop, which, of course, was closed. I found the address of the owner of the shop in the directory and went to his house. He remembered the bill, and gave me the addresses of his two clerks. The second clerk I saw proved to be the one who had paid the bill to you. Luckily he remembered your address. Then the Orme stirred himself. Japanese have the directions for finding the papers. My predicament," said the girl, is complicated by the question whether the bill does actually carry definite directions. It carries something a set of abbreviations, said Orme. "But I could not make them out. Let us hope that the Japanese can't. The best course for us to take is to go at once to see Walsh, the burglar." He assumed that she would accept Ills aid. That is good of you, she said. "But it seems a little hopeless, doesnt It? What else can we do? 1 to it that no one suppose else should have access to Walsh. Yes, father arranged that by telephone. The man is in solitary confinement. Several persons tried to see film today, on the plea of being relatives. None of them was admitted. What money king was this girl's father, that he could thus regulate the treatment of prisoners? on So there were abbreviations the bill? she asked. Yes. They werent very elaborate, .and I puzzled over them for some time. The curious fact is that, for all my study of them, I cant remember much of anything about them. What I have since been through, ap-parently, has driven the letters out of my bead. "Oh, do try to remember, she imEven if you recall oniv one plored. or two bits of it, they may help ce. There was something about a man S. H. he began. Earned Evans, was. it Evans, I can't Evans? That is strange. .think how any one of that name could e involved. Why? you saw Then S. R. Evans is not your fahe ventured. Oh, no." She laughed a light little My father Is but are you laugh. sure that the name was Evans? Quite sure. Then there was the abbreviation Chi. which I took to mean Chicago. Yes? she breathed. And there were numerals a number, then the letter N.; another numSo ber, followed by the letter E.. far north, so far east, I read it though I couldnt make out whether the numbers stood for feet or paces or miles. Her Yes, yes, she whispered. eyes were intent on his. They seemed to will him to remember. What else was there? Odd letters, which meant nothing to me. Its annoying, but I simply cant recall them. Believe me, 1 should like to. Perhaps you will a little later, she said. Im sorry to be such a bother to you. Bother! But it does mean so much, the tracing of this bill. Shall we go to see Walsh? he asked. I suppose so. She sighed. Apparently she was discouraged. "But even if he gives the information, it may be too late. The Japanese have the directions. But perhaps they will not be able to make them out, he suggested. She smiled. "You dont know the she said. Japanese, They are abominably clever at such things. I will venture that they are already on their way to the hiding-place- . But even if the papers are in the pocket of one of them, it may be possible to steal them back. I fear that She arose. Hardly. the one chance is the mere possibility that Maku couldn't read the directions. Then, if Walsh will speak ther? At the expense of a soiled hat Herbert Orme saves from arrest a girl In a black car who has caused a traffic jam touring on State street. He a new hat and Is given a five dollar buys bill with: Remember the person you pay this to," written on It. A second time he helps the girl In the black car and learns that in Tom and Bessie Wallingham they have mutual friends, but gets no further hint of her Identity. He discovers anotherIn Inscripa futile tion on the marked bill, which - attempt to decipher It, he copies and In in his aparta drawer places the copy ment. Senor Porltol, South American, calls and claims the marked bill. Orme refuses, and a fight ensues InInwhich Pori-tSenor Is overcome. He calls minister from his country, to vouch for him. Orme still refuses to give up the bill. He learns that a Jap has called for him. Orme goes for a walk and sees two Japs attack Alcatrante. Hen rescues him. The minister tries diplo-bill. acy, but fails to get the marked Is attacked Returning to his rooms Ormeforcible ex- effect who two a. fiy Japs of the marked bill for another. car black of the the ihange hint. Shegirl also wants the bill. Orme tells hit story. She recognizes one of the japs as her fathers butler. Maku. RAY WALTER-J' 909 out Now, let me say something," he said. "My name is Robert Orme. Apparently we have common friends in the Wallinghams. When I first saw you this afternoon, I felt that I alone on this errand? It may be late might have a right o your acquaintJ ance a social right, if you like; a before it is done, and And I will not sit and rest while I trust. sympathetic right, He held out his hand. She took it you do all the work. Besides, I canfrankly, and the friendly pressure of not forego the excitement of the her fine, firm palm sent the blood chase He was selfishly glad in her answer. tingling through him. Do we walk? he asked. I am sorry, she said, that I cant We will go in the motor, she give you my name. It would be unfair just now unfair to others; for said. if you knew who I am, It might give Where Is it? I left it around the corner. The you a clue to the secret I guard. Some day, I hope, I may know, thought came to me that Mr. Porltol he said gravely. But your present might be here, and I didnt wish him wish is my law. It is good of you to to recognize it. Orme thought of the hard quest let me try to help you. At the same instant they became the girl had followed that day batconscious that their hands were still tling for her fathers interests. What clasped. The girl blushed, and gently kind of a man could that father be to let bis daughter thus go into diffdrew hers away. "I shall call you Girl, Orme added. iculties alone? But she had said that A name I like, she said. My fa- her father was unable to leave the ther uses it. Oh, if I only knew what house. Probably he did not know how serious the adventure might be. Or that burglar wrote on the bill! Orme started. What a fool he had was the loss of the papers so desperHere he was, trying to help ate that even a daughter must run been! the girl, forcing her to the long, tired risks? recital of her story, when all the Together they went out to the time he held her secret In the table street. Orme caught a dubious glance in ' his sitting-room- . For there was from the clerk, as they passed still the paper on which he had copied through the lobby, and he resented it. Surely anyone could see the abbreviated directions. The girl led the way around the Wait here, he said sharply, and without answering the look of sur- corner into a side street. There stood prise on her face, hurried from the the car. He'helped her in and withA few out a word saw that she was restfuily room and to the elevator. moments later he was back, the sheet and comfortably placed in the seat next to the chauffeur's. She did not of paper in his hand. I cant forgive my own stupidity, resist the implication of hi? mastery. He cranked up, leaped to the seat While I was puzzling over he said. the bill this evening I copied the beside her, and took the levers. secret on a sheet of paper. When Which way, Girl? he asked. Porltol came I put it away in a drawer North, she answered. The big car swung out in the Lake and forgot all about it But here it He laid the paper on the little, Shore Drive and turned in the direcis. useless onyx table that stood beside tion of Lincoln park. her chair. CHAPTER V. She snatched it quickly and began to examine it closely. Evans, S. R. "Perhaps you can Imagine how The car ran silently through the those letters puzzled me, he volunteered. park and out on the broad Sheridan Hush! she exclaimed; and then: road. Orme put on as much speed as You wouldnt was safe in a district where there Oh, this is plain. know, of course, but I see it clearly. were so many police. From time to time the girl indicated the direction There is no time to lose. You are going to follow this clue with a word or two. She seemed to be using the opportunity to rest, for now tonight? Maku will read It on the bill, and her attitude was relaxed. The hour was about eleven, and the If you have oh, these Japanese! one in your kitchen, you never know streets were as yet by no means dewhether hes a Jinriksba man, a col- serted. As they swung along Orme was pleased by the transition from lege student, or a vice admiral." the ugliness of central Chicago to You will let me go with you? Orme was trembling for the answer. the beauty of suburbs doubly beautiHe was still in the dark, and did not ful by night. Thi great highway folknow how far she would feel that lowed the lake, and occasionally, above the muffled ium of the motor, she could accept his aid. I may need you, Mr. Orme, she Orme could hear tfe lapping of the wavelets on the beach. said simply. The girl roused Le.rjelf. Her bearIt pleased him that she brought up no question of possible inconvenience ing was again confidf(t and untired. Have you been up tl is way before? to him. With her, he realized, only she asked. direct re'ations were possible. How much of a journey Is it? he No, Girl. This is Buena park we are passing ventured to ask. I intend to be now. We shall soon retch the city Not very lor.g. She smiled limits. mysterious about it. Her face had lighted up Clouds had been gathering, and brightly. wonderfully since he gave her the suddenly raindrops began to strike paper that contained the secret of their faces. The girl drew her cloak most closely about her. Orme looked the bill. But he knew that she must be to see that she was protected, and tired; so he said; Can't you send me she smiled back with a brave attempt PODO.MBAD COPYRfOHT atfsaB COMPAlf He looked up. Suddenly a light ap"Youd better go in through the gate," said the girl, and follow the peared among the branches. It was a west fence northward for 100 paces. short ray, striking against the trunk. Then turn east, at right angles and go Before Orme could realize what was 210 paces I suppose it must be paces, happening a band appeared in the no feet. little bar of radiance and was in Yes,' said Orme. "That would be serted apparently into the trunk of the natural way for a burglar in a the tree. A moment later it was withdrawn. It held an oblong of hurry to measure. w hite. I will move the car north on Sheridan road a little way, she went on, Involuntarily Orme took a step forso as not to be in the glare of this ward. A twig cracked under his foot street light. Instantly the light went out. Orme drew the wrench from his This was the first evidence she had shown of nervousness, and Orme sud- pocket and stood tense. There was denly realized that enemies might be no other tree quite close enough for the man above him to spring to its lurking among the trees. It might be well for you to take branches. He would hav to drop , the electric she added. near Orme. "It's in the kit box, I think. Standing there, the wrench in his but the hand, Orme felt that the He looked in the kit-boadvantage He told was his. He heard rustlings in the lamp was not there. her so. branches above his head and kept Maku may have stolen It, she himself alert to guard against the man dropping on his shoulders. said. Orme slipped a heavy wrench into To strike the Japanese down as he his pocket and closed the dropped from the tree, that was his With the girl, he avoided any refer- plan. But meantime, where was the ence to the possible presence of the other Japanese? Was he among the Japanese among the trees, but know- near shadows? If so, he might even ing that he was no match for them now be creeping stealthily toward unarmed, with their skill in Orme. The likelihood of such an athe resolved to be in some measure tack was disconcerting to think of. prepared. it. He walked through the gate and that the man in began to pace northward, keeping not have gone on close to the fence and counting his guard so quickly, If his confederate Meantime the car followed were near at hand. It was natural steps. his course, moving along the side of that he should have put the light out, the road just west of the fence. Orme but would he not immediately aftercounted his hundred paces north, then ward have given some signal to the turned east. friend below? And would he not take He saw that the 210 paces which he it for granted that, were a stranger now bad lo take would carry him near, his watcher would have manwell over toward the lake. The girl aged to give warning? No, the other evidently had not realized how great Japanese could not be on guard. I the distance would be. She would be Perhaps, one Orme, thought nearer him, if she turned back to the of them had come on this only He quest. corner and followed the Sheridan hoped that this might be the case. road eastward toward the He could deal with one. station, but Orme did not suggest this The man in tree was taking his to her, though the car was within own time to the descend. Doubtless he of of side other the feet him, twenty would await a favorable moment, the fence. If there should be a strug- then alighting on the ground as far gle, it would rlease him Just as well from Orme as possible, make oft at that she should be out of hearing, top speed. alwas for her anxiety, he knew, But now, to Ormes surprise, a figshe kept it closethough great, ready ure swung from the lower branch ap- at cheerful comradeship. "Don't worry ly under control. about me, she said. Im quite dry." Eastward he went through the parently without haste. Once on the With that she leaned back and drew trees. When he had covered about ground, however, the stranger leaped from the tonneau a light robe, which half the distance he found himself toward Orme. An Intuition led Orme to thrust out she threw about his shoulders. approaching the side of a large buildThe act was an act of partnership ing. There must be some mistake. his left arm. It was quickly seized, merely, but Orme let himself imagine Had he deviated so widely from the but before the assailant could twist an evidence of solicitude In her course? In Orme struck out with the wrench, leaving the fence he had it, And then he demandthoughtfulness. taken sights as carefully as he could. which was in his right hand. Swift ed of himself almost angrily: What Then the explanation struck him. though the motion was, his opponent right have I to think such thoughts? Walsh, the burglar, had probably threw up his free arm and partly broke the force of the blow'. But the She has known me only an hour. paced in eastward from the fence and But to him that hour was as a come to the building Just as he had. wrench reached his forehead nevertheless, and with a little moan, he year, so rich was its experience. He There was no good hiding-placapfound himself recalling her every parent near at hand, and Walsh would dropped to the ground in a heap. As Orme knelt to search the man, change of expression, her every char- hardly have retraced his steps. acteristic gesture. She has accepted What, then, would he have done? another figure swung from the tree me as a friend, he thought, warmly. Orme asked himself. Why, he would and darted northward, disappearing in the darkness. Orme did not pursue But the joy of the thought was modi- have turned north or south. fied by the unwelcome reflection that it was useless but a sickening inOrme looked in both directions. the girl had had no choice. Still, he North and south of the building were tuition told him that the man who knew that, at least, she trusted him, open driveways. Walsh muBt have had escaped was the man who had or she would never have let him ac- gone around the building, then con- the envelope. He struck a match. The man on company her, even though she seri-ou?- tinued eastward. This is what Orme needed protection. the ground was moving uneasily and now proceeded to do. They were passing a great cemeRpmembering the number of paces moaning. There was a scar on his tery. The shower had quickly ended. to the side of the building, he chose forehead. It was Maku. He went through the unconscious The white stones and monuments fled the northward course, because there by the car like dim and frightened was less light north of the building. mans pockets. There was no enve- ghosts. And now the car swung along He hugged the side of the building, lope such as he was looking for, but with fine houses, set back in roomy counting his steps, and, after reaching he did find a folded slip of paper grounds, at the left, the lake at the the corner, turned eastward. He now which he thrust into his own pocket. counted his paces along the northern A discovery that interested right. him, Do you know this city?" the girl side of the building. though it was not now important, he asked. When he reached the corner of the made by the light of a second match. I think not. Hava we passed the eastern side of the building, he It was the marked bill. He Chicago limits? paced as far southward on the east- would have liked to take it as a Yes. We are in Evanston. ern side as he had gone northward on souvenir, if for no other reason, but Evanston! Orme had a glimmer. the western side, and on reaching a time was short and Maku, who eviThe girl turned and smiled at him. point due east of the place at which dently was not seriously hurt, showed Evanston Sheridan Road." he had originally come to the build- signs of returning consciousnes. Evans S. R.i exclaimed Orme. Another occurrence also hastened ing. he added the number of paces She laughed a low laugh. Ah, from the fence to the building to the him. A man was strolling along the Monsieur Dupin! 6he Bald. number of paces he had taken along lake short, not far away. Orme had Speeding along the lake front, the the northern side of the building, and not seen his approach, though he road turned suddenly to the left and continued eastward toward the lake. was distinctly outlined against the west, skirting a large grove of trees At the two hundredth pace he open background of lake and sky. which hugged the shore. Just at the stopped to reconnoiter. Not more The stranger stopped. The striking turn was a low brick building on the than two hundred feet ahead of him of the two matches had attracted his beach. The station," ex- he could see dimly, through the tree attention. of the lake. he Have you lost something?" plained the girl; "and these are the trunks, the expanse The road There was no sound, no evidence that called. grounds of the university. goes around the campus, and strikes any other person was near. "No, Orme replied. the lake again a mile or more farther The man started toward Orme, as He proceeded cautiously for ten north." paces. Many trees were near him. if to Investigate, and then Orme noLarge buildings were at their right He would have to examine all of ticed that outlined on his bead was a after they turned. Orme noted that them, for it was hardly possible that policeman's helmet. To be found going through the they were scattered among the trees he had followed Walshs course with some near the street, some at a dis- unerring exactness. If the tree was pockets of an unconscious man was tance back. Then the road again within twenty feet of him north or not to Ormes liking. It might be turned to the north, at a point where south, that was as much as he could possible to explain the situation well less imposing streets broke in from expect. enough to satisfy the local authoriOne thing was clear to him. ties, but that would Involve delays the nest and south. Stop at this corner, said the girl. Walsh had probably chosen a tree fatal to any further effort to catch Orme threw on the brakes. that could easily be distinguished from the man with the envelope. We are in Evanston, on the Sheri- the others, either by its size or by (TO BE CONTINUED.) dan road, she said, and this street some peculiarity of form. Also, the cutting in from the south is Chicago tree must have a hollow place in India's National Dish. avenue. which the envelope could be conRice and curry is the national dish Orme now decided that Chi. A.! cealed. exclaimed Orme. She had taken the paper from the Walsh must have found his tree first in India. Just barely enough curry and each grain when cooked pocket of her coat, and was scan- and then paced westward to the fence. to flavor, One hundred paces The even number, 100 paces north is puffed up all by Itself of snowy ning It closely. north and two hundred and ten east. from the gate, could be only a coinci- lightness. Small quantities of meat, or dried fish, are served with the curT. must mean tree. dence. ry sauce, freshly made nf cocoanut A little to his left Orme discovered Orme jumped to the ground. He water, peppers, tumeito, etc. Ths its than much a neightrunk larger noticed that the university grounds about ran up smoothly were cut off from the street by an bors. It eight West African and West Indian do no! Iron fence. There was a gate at the feet to the first limb. An agile man use curry, but season hy boiling It pork of corner by which they bad stopped. could easily get up to this limb and with a piece of salt fish, salt A chicken. Polished rice is a cheat, an I The gate was not closed. If it were pull himself into the branches. so should is customary to shut it at night, there cavity such as are so common in oaks, eaten exclusively ba deadly,out of New law and a kept for furnish right would by on good place this hiding had been some neglect York. wr. tht envelope ular evening. hand-lamp- kit-bo- jiu-jits- e y five-doll- life-savin- g ' |