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Show v v V V hannutermerswn fttzzrmATroMr cmrftAe IP? RAY COVYWOHT SYNOPSIS. CHAPTER X. At the expense of a soiled hat Herbert Orme saves from arrest a girl In a black touring car who has caused a traffic Jam on State street. He buys a new hat and la given a five dollar bill with: "Remember the person you pay this to," written on It. A second time he helps the girl in the Slack car and learns that In Tom and Bessie Walllngham they have mutual friends, but gets no further hint of her Identity. He 'discovers another Inscription on the marked bill, which in a futile attempt to decipher It, he copies and places the copy in a drawer in his apartment. Senor Poritol, South American, calls and claims the marked bill. Orme zefuses, and a fight ensues in which Porj-to- l Is overcome. He calls In Senor to minister from his country, vouch for him. Orme still refuses to give up the hill. He learns that a Jap has called for him. Orme goes for a walk and secs two attack Alcatrante. Herescues him. Japs The minister tries dlplolimey, but falls to get the marked bill Returning to his rooms Orme Is attacked by two Japs who effect a forcible ex change uf the marked bill for another, Orme finds the girl of the black car waiting for him. She also wants the bill. Orme tells his story. She recognizes one of the as her fathers butler, Maku. The Japs fcedond Inscription on the bill is the key to the hiding place of Important papers stolen fiom her father. Both Japs and South Americans want the papers. Orme and Ihe Girl start out in the black car Iv quest of the papers. In the grounds In Evanston the hiding place 11V located. Maku and another Jap re. are Orme fells Maku and the "Find the American." the table cover fall back to its normal position and turned to get himself into a comfortable attitude his hand touched something soft and yielding. For a moment he was startled, but the sound of a throaty purr and the realization that his hand was resting on fur soon told him that his companion in hiding was a cat. He wondered whether the Japanese liked pets. From what little he knew of As Orme let Japanese character it did not seem to him consistent that they should care for animals. Yet here was a peaceful tabby. In order to accommodate himself to his close quarters, Orme had to double his legs back, resting on his thigh and supporting the upper part of his body with one hand. The cat settled down against his knee. The light Altered redly through the table cover. To his satisfaction he found a small hole, evidently a burn made by some careless smoker. Through this aperture he could look out. His range of vision included the greater part of the room, excepting the side on which the table stood. He could see the window and several chairs, as well as the door Into the adjoining room, but the door Into the hall was out of view, at his right. While he was looking about, a man came from the next room. Doubtless It was Arima; at least Orme recognized the Japanese who had overcome him jsjt VA1TERT 1909 (Vy POPO,MBAO The stranger turned to Arima. Give us the envelope, he said. Arima approached the table. Orme crowded back against the wall as far as he could, knowing that the chances of escaping discovery were strongly against him. But he was saved by the very eagerness of the others. They all crowded about Arima, as he lifted the cover, opened the drawer and took out the envelope. So close did they stand that Orme was out of their angle of vision. The table cover fell again, and he was safe. He resumed his position at the peep-holThe stranger stepped to the middle of the room, the others gathering around him. With a quick jerk he ore the envelope open, and taking 0 vJ the papers, ran his eye over them rapidly. He uttered an exclamation. said Alcatrante. The What is it? South Americans hand was shaking, and perspiration stood out on his forehead. Tricked! The Japanese snarled. Theyve fooled us. That honorable burglar of yours got the wrong envelope. Alcatrante snatched the papers. he read, of the Last Prospectus, Dare Mining Company. But I do not understand. The Japanese glared at him angrily. "If you had kept out of this business, he snapped, and let Maku attend to it, everything would have been right. Now your burglars have spoiled It. He snatched back the harmless prospectuses and tore them in two, throwing the fragments to the floor and grinding them under his heel. Arima spoke. Pardon, honorable sir, Maku say the right envelope was taken from the safe. Maku know. , Ha! Then it was you who were That American tricked outwitted. reached the tree before you last evening and substituted these papers. Go back to Japan, Arima. I dont need you. As for Arima bowed submissively. the stranger, his rage gave way to despair. What shall I say to the emperor? What shall I say to the he muttered. emperor? Then his feelings came again under control: he looked calmly at Alca- - OortPAWy attitudes of the others Orme would not have known hut that she had gone. As it was, he could read In their bearing the disconcerting effects of her continued disdain. The Japanese spoke. Will you enter, miss, or shall we direct you on your way? Arima will come out and talk with you, if you 10 wish. Still no answer. To Orme, In his hiding, there was something uncanny In her failure to respond. But he couid picture her Truth, calm in the presence of subterfuge. Will you not state your desire? Again the Japanese. He was smiling now, with the false politeness of his race. And then she spoke: That envelope on the floor was stolen from my fathers home. It bears my father's name. Before Alcatrante could stop him, little Poritol, with some vague hope of making amends, had snatched up the torn envelope and taken it to her. He returned to the range of Ormes vision with an air of virtuous importance. The contents, said the girl where are the papers? Alcatrante and the Japanese looked at each other. It was as if they said, In view of our failure we might as well make a clean breast of it But Alcatrante was too cunning to take the Initiative In confession. He left that to the Japanese, who spoke unhesi- other Jp escapes. Orme finds in Mato Take the Place of the Abstracted It Now Remained to Find Something lm's poiVet a folded slip of paper. He Documents. takes the girl, whose name Is still unknown to him. to the home of a friend in Evanston. Returning to the univerbeen stronger. had satisfied the suspicions of Poritol, Orme gets In conversation sity grounds and Alcatrante and the stranger had station. with a guard at tile faintly. They hear a motor boat In trouble in But, continued Alcatrante, with a retired to their corner, he twisted his the darkness on the lake. They find the crippled boat. In it are the Jap slight grimace, the activity of your head back and examined the wood with the papers and "Girl." She Jumps tatingly. men made that Impossible. I have no above him. Into Orme's boat, but the Jap eludes The only papers in the such as yours. on the paper he shot From He had drawer. a lieutenants table finds The the Orme fursult N. were these. He picked up Maku the address. 341 and sudconwhose an at was room outside drawer this Poritol, gleam ugly He goes there Barker street." u prospectuses from the floor in the porter's office at the Pere Mar- den assumption of fearsome humility cealed by the cloth cover, and Orme finds that Arinia. teacher of M on the third them extended in his hand, floor. He calls on Alla, contrast usual was to not in his existence. Its had the He strange before. suspected quette stepped night Clairvoyant on the fourth floor. prise is as great as yours. into the room with a little smile on Now, the table was cheaply made. Do you expect me to believe that? we hold the the was As documents and drawer shallow The In a his brown face. Seating himself narrow, CHAPTER IX. Continued. Whether you believe it or not, my chair, he fixed his heels in the rungs Japanese spoke with great distinctness and it was held In position, under the dear young lady, It la true. will necessarily admit our ad- table, by an open framework of wood and clasped his hands about his you 'Tve come up the stairs when his knees. He was There was a moment of silence, then vantage. That means, you will un- When it was pushed In, it was stopped waiting. 4oor was open. the Japanese continued: "We have reaT he black eyes rested on the table. derstand, a smaller commission on the at the right place by two cleats; there "Does he seem to be pretty busy To Orme son to think that the envelope was tor was no solid strip to prevent its being they seemed to be boring next contract. a time last night in the possession of with his teachings? Alcatrante twisted his face into the pushed in too far. the cover that concealed him, thiough an American, and that he substituted Not too small, Orme put his hand to the hack of the "Evenings, he Is. And some come in and he hardly dared to breathe, but semblance of a smile. these circulars for whatever the enthe afternoon. I always know, because the Asiatic appeared to observe noth- or we cannot undertake the work, he drawer. There was a space between velope may have held. they thud on the floor so when they ing unusual. Orme wondered at the said. it and the table-toOrmes impulse to declare himself too wrestle. not he his the small, hand "No, stranger those pushed unfathomable Cautiously of Intelligence was almost irresistible. A man whose And mornings? His fingers eyes. He had often said of the Chinese agreed calmly, but smaller than the through the opening. instincts were less cautious would have You must not forget that there touched a flat object a pad of paper, "He generally seems to be away and Japanese that he did not trust last. thrown the table over and ranged himthem for the reason that a Caucasian are others who would gladly do the or the thought made his heart beat mornings. self beside the girl. Orme was not a large, thick envelope. Could Arima "I fancy he's what youd call a noisy could never tell what they were think- same work. fearful, but he knew that the chances Yes, but at best they cannot get the ,haye used the drawer as a hiding fcetghbor, said Orme. ing about. The racial difference in of a successful outcome would be lestrante. Well, nte ftrace? Oh, 1 don't mind. Theres more or thought processes he found disconcert-- , terms we. get. sened by exposure. Even if he and the &he ing. Possibly. That is a matter still to Slowly he got the edge of the object you suggest? less noise up here sometimes. face was a puzzle. Every girl got safely from the room, there we have as- between his first and second fingers Alcatrantes Meantime determined. be a A can smiled frankly. make went bell to Arima the door, Spirits rang. lot of noise. Ive known them to throw out of view, and opened It. Orme could sumed that our Interests In this docu- and drew It a little way toward the shade of doubt, disappointment, anger, would be a pursuit, and the risk of back of the drawer. A moment later suspicion and shrewd deduction passed losing the papers would be great. tables over and drag chairs all around hear persons mounting the stairs, and ment are identical. Let us test It. over it. He was putting into play that word As for the girl, she clearly was In no said One fie first, had It under his eyes. Alcatrantqr the room. of the voice said. Arima presently I take it that, if our interests are These men would not harm Yes, it was a long envelope of heavy marvelous power of concentration on danger. "Well Orme was not Interested in Come In, and the visitors entered the with yours, we may count linen, and there were bulky papers subtle issues that had enabled him to her. . sympathetic room. be anysure dont let you Spirits on your protection? But would the assertion of the Japawithin. The gummed flap was toward play so brilliantly the role of internabody In here until I come back. Pausing near the door for a moment, At last he smiled nese lead her to doubt Orme? Would Most assuredly. He was interest! to note that, tional under-dog- . him. sen a few went Then nodded. she she they exchanged Again whispered she believe that he had actually reThen? important though the documents and spoke. Into the reception hall and he heard tences. Then one of them walked over we shall see. My fairness is seemed to be, the envelope was not he said. Then Find the covered the papers the night before American, her push the bolt of the door. She did toward the window. Orme repressed clear In that I of the a Suddenly there was a knock at the and kept them for his own purposes? not return, but her steps seemed to an exclamation, for the figure that document with give you I sight have sealed with wax. myself. might He remembered what the girl had door. Arima looked at his master, who He remembered that he had given her came into view was the figure of Porimove into one of the other rooms. all knowledge of it. denied Yes, only the scantiest account of his adher fathers name was written on nodded indifferently and said: said: Orme went to the window, pushed it tol dapper, assertive. Alcatrante smiled as if to say: I the address side. He had only to turn see who It Is. It can do no harm venture at the tree, for he had wished beon He was dressed as the night up, and climbed out on the fire escape, knew so much that you could it over to learn who she was. In the now. to spare her the details of an Incident tie wag glad to see that the wall across fore, and his precious high hat was already not risk that. Orme heard the door open. What that meant her disappointment as well circumstances such an act might be the court was wlndowless. He might hugged close to his shoulder. The stranger turned to Arima and justified. But she had not wished him startled him first was the action of as his owd. She might now readily atHis eyes roved with an exaggerated said be observed from the buildings that something in Japanese. Arima to know and he would even now re- Poritol, who stepped back to the wall, tribute his reticence to a desire to of backed up from the next street, but assumption important cunning. replied, and the stranger explained to spect her wish and keep his own prom- his jaw dropping, his face a picture of conceal something. he over shoulder threw his they apparently belonged to a large Presently I asked about my man ise to her first. Alcatrante: embarrassment and fright. Alcatrante And then came her Her first storage loft or factory. There were no a rapid sentence in a foreign tongue Maku. The American struck him on and the stranger showed amazement. words brought a glow to Ormes heart : enwas to the first His slip thought Idle folk at the windows. It sounded like Spanish, and Orme in- the head For a moment they stood thus in I' know that you are mistaken. No last night and injured him. velope into his pocket, but it occurred The window of the room below was ferred that It was a dialect of Portu- But he Is He Is trouble- to him in time that, if it did indeed silence, and then from the door came a American has those papers. Orme recovering. 8pen. This was In one sense an ad- guese. some that American. the documents concerning clear voice: breathed his relief. Then she added contain answer came an from The oily vantage and Orme blessed the JapaWhat? You here, Mr. Alcatrante the dubious word Orme started. His head bumped which Alcatrante and the stranger Unless nese athletes for their insistence on tongue; the voice was Alcatrante's would be sought and And the Japanese minister? the table. So she did doubt him after all. Well, it were against disputing, What were the South Americans dofresh air; but on the other hand. It Orme almost sprang from his hiding he could not blame her. The scene In Whats that? exclaimed Poritol, missed long before he could escape made quietness essential. ing here? It was only a few hours advancing. Theres something under from the room. So, taking a pencil place. The voice was the voice of the the room the frankness of the JapaSlowly he let himself through the since the Japanese had set on Alc- that table! lie stooped to lift the from his pocket, he inserted it under girl! nese, which could only be attributed opening in the platform and moved a atrante, yet here he was In a strong- cover. corner of the flap and slowly to discomfiture; the empty envelope: the few steps down the ladder. Then he hold of the enemy and expected! Had One chance flashed Into Ormes worked the flap free. The strength of CHAPTER XI. the torn prospectuses on the floor, aJ crouched and peered through the dingy the astute diplomat fallen Into a trap? mind. these conditions pointed to the truth ol Quickly he seized the cat, the linen prevented any tearing. from was not Arima far standing, lace curtains that were swaying in the which was still sleeping against his The Way Out. He removed the contents of the enthe explanation she had heard. Poritol. His face was expressionless. knee, and breeze. The sound of the girls voice brought it under the table-cove- velope two folded sheets of parchOn the other hand, there was his appushed 'the Interior was dim, but Orme suc- Looking from Alcatrante to Poritol and It walked out into the room, ment paper, held together by an elastic the men in the room to life. Her pearance on the lake, an hour or more In The back he said again, English: ceeded in distinguishing the furniture. band and thrust them into the inside words were shaded to a tone of fear- after the episode on the campus. Might mewing plaintively. There were straw mats on the floor mos honorable gentleman will soon A cat, said Poritol, drawing back. pocket of his coat. All this was done less scorn which must have bitten it not occur to her that, had he a'ready and several chairs stood about. At the be here. Arima explained in English: "It be- swiftly and noiselessly. deep, for Alcatrante and the Japanese secured the papers, he would hat e had said Alcatrante That Is right, to lady upstairs. Comes down now remained to find something to minister looked like schoolboys caught no object in the further pursuit of the opposite side of the room was a closed longs It Mention no names. door. From his knowledge of Madam suavely. The South American Japanese? But, perhaps she would fire escape. Shoo! Shoo! He clapped take the place of the abstracted docu- In wrong-doinArima nodded slightly. Allas apartment, Orme knew that this his hands and the animal bounded to ments. In his pocket were some print- gnawed at his lip; the Japanese looked think that he was seeking Arima to was silence Intense. Orme The grew door opened Into the hall of the buildand disappeared up the ed prospectuses of the mine which he at the floor, and Orme now realized sell the papers hack to him; or that, the window-sil- l when it was broken by an iron ing, and the square ground glass, with relieved had come to Chicago to investigate. that the manner .which had seemed so in spite of his appearance of surprise, steps. Its reversed letters of the athletes other ring of the bell and Arima And now, began the stranger, In shape and thickness they were not indicative of a masterful personality he had been a witness of her abducto moved the door. Alcatrante shall we examine the documents? name, told him that it was used as the slipped dissimilar to the documents which he was the manner which springs from tion and had gone out on the water to chief entrance. Madam Alia preferred over beside Poritol and whispered a One moment, said Alcatrante. I had taken. He slipped me prospectuses power the manner that is built upon save her. There were so many things her clients to enter Into another room. few words, scarcely moving his lips, should first like a clear understanding Into the envelope and, wetting hl3 the assurance ot a tremendous back- she might think! Indeed, that dubious In the farther corner of the interior His face looked yellow by daylight, with you some words In private. He finger, rubbed It along the gummed ing. word "unless might even signify, The tension was broken by Poritol Orme saw a large square table. It was and the eyes behind the gold specta- moved to a corner, and there the surface of the flap. Enough glue reunless he has secured the papers heavy-liddewere cles almost and covered with a red print cloth, which joined him. They talked in mained to make the flap adhere, after The little man's dismay suddenly gave since I last saw him. Jut no; she closed. Orme inferred that the night stranger an undertone for several minutes, A- a little pressure. The job was by no way to an eager and voluble excite- would gather from thi situation in hung over the edge, nearly to the floor. had been for Alcatrante. sleepless If he could reach that table and con lcatrante gesturing volubly, the stran- means perfect, but it was not likely to ment, and he rushed across the room which she found her enemies that the' These observations were interrupted ger nodding now and ceal himself beneath it, his position exclaiming: "Oh, my dear miss then, and inter- be detected. envelope had not been out of their posby the entrance of the newcomer. He jecting a few brief words. No names, commanded Alcatrante session since it was taken from the would be better. At that moment Alcatrante raised at the to threshold, evidently And now he suddenly remembered paused What was going on was more than his voice and said, still in French: harshly, turning to his subordinate. tree. Orme shut his lips hard. Her for Poritol and Alcatrante ever a "My dear young lady, continued doubt of him wuld have to be enthat the outline of his head would be salute, low. The You are sure, then, that this will not mystery to Orme. Then quick steps crossed Poritol breathlessly, I am the victim dured, even though it shattered his reference to the next con- delay the game, but end it? visible against the outer light to bowed floor and into view came a nervous strangers the of the said The room to your misunderstanding. You will pleasant dream of her complete and the sure, surmise within. tract Quite seemed Japanese. that strengthened anyone assured-lookinlittle figure a the documents in the envelope be empty, but at that instant he but were Unless the documents are signed be- permit me 10 explain. sympathetic understanding. She answered with an even, cutting heard a dcor open. He drew his head Japanese, but undoubtedly a man of connected with a South American fore midnight tonight nothing can be Alcatrante, meantime, was studying manner His of sharp trade concession. You cannot ex the done for some time. We have the edge in her voice: Alcatrante' had up. Some one was moving about the great dignity. girl with curious eyes. His look authority would be hard to dispute, for plainly concluded that his interests Germans fixed. They will do what plain, Mr. Poritol. room. was both perplexed and admiring. was a it that by supported personality But he began, blind to her meanThe steps went here and there were identi- they have thus far agreed to do, but if and those of the (TO BE CONTINUED.) to be stronger than Alca cal. He must Japanese have communicated any technical hitch arises, such as a ing. Chairs were shifted, to judge from the seemed he was Who not Orme could trantes. I do not care to hear you, she sound. But evidently there was only with the strange Japanese the first failure to sign within the time limit, Accompaniments of Eating. one person, lor Orme could hear no guess, but ths t, he was somebody of thing in the morning. That would ac- they will decline to renew negotia- said; and Poritol slunk back to his Meals are best taken during thoss It was to see. easy He decided that Arima was Importance voices. count for his failure to call at the Pere tions. That was all we could get from former position. From his face it was periods when the body is at rest. Thr The stranger bowed again and adclear that he had no desire except to time for taking food must not be to( preparing for visitors. Marquette at ten oclock. Learning them, but it is enough now. said Alca- get away. And for other ships, short. During the meal it Is better Again he heaid a door open and dressed himself to Alcatrante. The that the bill had been taken from in on was carried Meantime Alcatrante aroused him- not to think of business or serious or close. Had Arima gone out. or had conversation Orme, and that the coveted documents trante, the commission shall be five self. My friend here he indicated perhaps, even sad things. Our whole some other person entered? Orme French, were in the possession of the Japanese, hundred thousand. It is well that you communicated he had no object in keeping his ap Five hundred thousand. Seven hun- the Japanese "and myself are here on and undivided attention should be waited a moment, listening; no sound business which concerns our two na- given to our meals. Pleasant comcame from within. He lowered his with me, sir, he said, "we were work- polntment. As for Poritol. he had be- dred and fifty was too much. s when, in reality, come a figure of minor importance. tions. Your appearance, 1 presume. Is pany. light conversation, jokes and Five hundred thousand In gold. head and peered. The room was ing at were our Identical. interests due to a desire to engage the profes- stories add to the enjoyment of food. In did not gold. let these questions empty. But Orme Alcatrante bowed. 1 came to that long engage him, for he had made a Orme slipped the envelope back Into sional services of Mr. Arima. Or perArima might return at any moment, Medical Record. I Jjut the chance had to be taken conclusion late last night, he said. discovery. Where his head bumped the drawer and put his eye to the hole haps you were trying to find the forHe barely reLondoners Use Many Matches. Quickly, silently, Orme descended to do not deny that it would have pleased against the table, the bo.ard above him in the cover. His position was now tune teller upstairs. the platfoim, slid over the sill and tip- me to carry the affair through by my Four and a half million gross boxes solid, as he had .supposed rattled more critical, for to open the drawer pressed his sneer. The girl did not answer. She re 01 matches ar used in London ie a toed ovei to the table. Another in self. strangely. At the moment he could and get the envelope Arima would malned by the door, and but for the year ant snd he vts under the cover. "Yes, your position would then have not Investigate, but soon as the cat have to lift the table cover. g -- Jiu-Jits- e. p. v' r. d g cross-purpose- u v |
