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Show V. Y Y V BANNUTERMERMN Tzzvj'tratioms mit RAY WALTERJ1 C09YRT0HT CortPAWy' 1909 SYNOPSIS. At the expense of a soiled hat Robert Orme saves from arrest a girl In a black touring car who has caused a traffic Jam n State street. He buys a new hat and Is given in change a five dollar bill with: Remember the person you pay this to." written on It. A second time he helps the lady in the black car. and learns that In Tom and Bessie WalUngham they have mutual friends, but no further hint of her identity. He gains discovers another inon the marked bill, which. In a scription rutile attempt to decipher It, he copies and places the copy In a drawer In his Senor Pontol, South Ameriapartment can, calls, and claims the marked bill. Orme refuses, and a fight ensues In which Poritol Is overcome. He calls in Senor Alcatrante, minister from his county, to vouch for him. Orme still refuses to give up the bill. Orme goes for a walk and sees two Japs attack Alcatrante. He rescues him. Returning to his rooms Orme is attacked by two Japs who effect a forcible exchange of 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 Japs as her father's butler, Maku. The second inscription on the bill Is the key to the hiding place of Important papers stolen from her father. Both Japs and South Americans want the and the Girl" start out in rapers. Orme car In quest of the papers. In the university grounds In Evanston the hiding place la located. Maku and another Jap are there. Orme fells Maku and the other Jap escapes. Orme finds In Maku's pocket a folded slip of paper. .He takes the girl, whose name is still unknown to him, to the home of a friend In Evanston. Returning to the university grounds Orme gets in conversation with a station. They guard at the -, hear a motor boat in trouble In the darkbess on the lake. They find the crippled boat. In It are the Jap with the papers and Girl." She jumps into Orme's but the Jap eludes pursuit. Orme finds on the paper he took from Maku the address, "841 N. Parker Street. He goes there and finds that Is on the Arima, teacher of third floor. He calls on Alia, clairvoyant, on the fourth floor, descends by and conceals himself unthe der a table in Arimas room. Alcatrante. Poritol and the Jap minister nter. Orme finds the papers in a drawer under the table and substitutes He mining prospectuses for them. learns that the papers are of international Importance with a time limit for of that night midnight. The signatures substitution is discovered. The girl boat, jiu-jit- fire-esca- pe Appears. . CHAPTER XI. Continued. Do you mind telling me how you happened to come to this place? he Asked. She answered Indifferently: Sup posing the Japanese had stolen the papers, I searched Makus room at our house. There was a torn envelope there with the name Arima printed In the corner. You are cleverAlcatrante bowed. er than most Americans, my dear young lady, he said. His lips curved Into a smile that disclosed his fangs. That, she replied, Is as it may be. Cut I have not your admiration for trickery, Mr. Alcatrante. Ah, he exAgain he smiled. claimed, "trickery is the detail work of Then with a shade oj diplomacy. leriousness in his voice, he asked: Why did you use that word unless? "Why, indeed? She made this noncommittal answer, and if Alcatrante had hoped to soothe her into friendliness and draw from her a clue to her suspicions, he was disappointed. There was another period of silence, broken at last by the Japanese. The fact that we have failed, my dear young lady, he said, "makes concealment unnecessary. I know, of course, that this matter will never become public. You understand that the representatives of great nations often have to take steps which, as private citizens, Ihey would never think of. Yes, she answered, I understand. Orme had had a revolver, he would There is no more to be said. Good-day- . now have drawn It. Yet he knew that this was not a case for firearms. ObThere was a step and the sound of viously, If he used & dangerous weapon In these mens rooms and was afterthe door closing. She had gone. Alcatrante and the Japanese looked ward caught. It would fare hard with at each other. We have not failed him, for the real facts would be supThe pressed and he would be sentenced as yet, said Alcatrante in French. girl does not know where the docu- an ordinary housebreaker, perhaps ments are, or she would not have come with some clemency due to his personhere. If her father does not have al standing. A quick Intuition told him that he them before midnight our plans are safe. We remain merely at a loss as would not escape lightly If they fairly to the details of the documents, and got their hands on him. The two we already know what they contain In Japanese had hitherto shown much patience with him. Their desire seemed a general way. Yes, agreed the Japanese, things to have been to avoid hurting him any do not look so black, perhaps. But I more than was necessary. But there The is a limit to Japanese patience. am Interested in your former advice. Yes? scathing words of the Japanese minisFind the American? That is what ter must still he burning in Arimas brain. And Maku, who had controlled she will try to do. We had an appointment with him himself while Orme was following him this morning," said Alcatrante grimly, through the streets of the North side, but when you said that your man had no longer had a diplomatic reason for the envelope. It no longer seemed nec- restraining his rage against the man essary. We you and I still have the who had struck him down. In any same object In view. I suggest that event, the eyes of Arima and Maku we now set out separately. glittered angrily, and Orme realized As you wish, said the Japanese that he could expect no mercy. He caught up a chair and raised it calmly. Doubtless he knew that Alcatrante was grasping at a straw over his head, prepared to bring It which might still give him the ad- down on Arima, who was only a few I am feet from him and coming fast. vantage In future negotiations. The Japanese raised his arms to thus far. honored by your fend the expected blow. With sudden He bowed formally. Alcatrante returned the how and, Inspiration, Orme hurled the chair at his opponent's feet. There was a crash. beckoning to Poritol, left the room. The Japanese minister turned to Arima sprawled headlong. Maku, who Arima and talked rapidly in his fcative was close behind, tried to leap over tongue. Fiom his manner It was plain Arima, but his feet went through the that he was "iving orders. At last, rungs of the chair, and he, too, crashed with a little gesture of authority, he to the floor. As he threw the chair, Orme leaped put on his hat and walked out. The back. Before the Japanese could get door closed after him with a slam. Arima, now alone, seated himself In out of their tangle, he had jumped a chair and appeared to meditate. over the window sill and was running Again his hands were clasped about up the fire escape. Madam Alla was at his knees and his heady eyes fixed on her window, a look of startled inquiry space. For fully fifteen minutes he on her face. She stepped back as he sat thus; then, with a little clucking crowded into the room. Quick! he said. Theyll be after sound, he leaped to his feet and hurme. Hide me somewhere. ried into the next room. Come! She took his sleeve and Now was Ormes chance. He lifted the table cover and rose to his feet. pulled him to a corner. There she Arima had not closed the door after pushed aside the dingy hanging and him, but Orme was not In the line of Orme saw that the wall was covered direct view into the other room, and with a wainscoting that ran from floor he had to risk the possibility of being to ceiling. The medium looked at him with seen before he reached the window. Youre the real sort, Or should he try for the door? It all bright eyes. depended upon what part of the next she whispered, and a wave of color room Arima was in; but the window in her cheeks brought back the sugI saw that seemed safer, for the opening and gestion of girlish beauty. In the there hole a scrap through would to door of sure be the closing floor. Youre the goods. She pressed attract attention. Orme moved toward the window his arm almost affectionately, then, with her free hand, she pushed against slowly, watching the opening through the paneling. Noiselessly a section of which Arima had disappeared. He got half-wato the window; three more It turned Inward, disclosing a dark cavGet In! steps would bring him to the sill. And ity. Orme quickly slipped into the darkthen, without warning, Arima leaped Into the room. Even in that moment ness, the panel closed, and he heard Orme caught a glimpse of a mirror in the swish of the hanging as it dropped the farther room, and knew that the against the board. It was not too soon. Two soft thuds Japanese had seen his reflection. At this instant another man ap- told him that the Japanese had dropped over the sill into the room. peared, close behind Arima. A bandHe heard the woman give a d age was wrapped around his head. It scream of surprise. was Maku, who presumably had been 'Scuse us, miss In the apartment all the time. it was Arima's we looking for sneak thief. He Orme stood little chance of over- voice coming the two. Quick as cats, with come In here. Be off with you. Ive Just come muscles like steel springs and a great variety of scientific tricks of offense from the front room there, and there and defense, they could handle him as wasnt a soul came In. We saw him. they willed in a direct encounter. If He must have gone out to the lall, then. The womans voice had a note of mollification as though she had suddenly recognized the right of the two Japanese to enter the apartment. y well-feigne- 1 didnt hear F r Fully 15 Minutes He 8at Thus. him. few words offTapanese colloquy; I look around. then Arima: My friend go to hall. A door closed; evidently Maku had gone out; and then Orme heard steps. After this there was a long wait, while the Japanese examined the other rooms, the woman evidently offering him her aid. At last they returned. Well,' I go back, said Arima. I saw him come in the window. My friend will know. See you later. Presently the woman raised the hanging and whispered through the boards: He went back down the fire escape. His friend's In the hall. Hell find out you havent went down, and then hell come back. "Ill try the roof, whispered Orme. Perhaps I can get on to another house that way. Wait till 1 see. She talked away, but soon returned. No use, he heard her say. That Japs a sitting on the fire escape watching. He grinned when I looked down." Orme pondered. Help me out of this, he whispered, and therell be something in it for you. She moved impatiently. Cut it out! I don't want nothing. You're a good She paused. "Not sport, that's all. that I'd mind having a present. But I don't want no money. Orme caught the distinction. Ill And what shall remember, he said. I do now? Youll have to stay In there a while, 1 guess. I simply must get away and within an hour or two. "I'll manage that, a- -e answered confidently. But how ? Youll oee. Just leavo It to me. Orrae smiled to himself, there in the darkness. Of course, he wruid leave it A to her; but he did not see how she was to rid him of the watchful Japanese. Theres just one thing, he whisWhatever is done, will have, pered. to be done without help from outside. This is not a matter for the police. I understand. Why cant you just leave it to me? I dont believe you trust me a little hit! But I do, he protested. "I am absolutely In your hands. He heard her sigh faintly. Im going to put down the window now, she said. "It aint safe for me to stand here talking to you unless I do. That Arima fellow might pop up the fire escape any time." She was back in a few moments. He had heard the window creak down, and slipped past him in the closet, and he had wondered whether the action would add to Arimas suspicion. If he comes up now, she explained in an undertone, the glare on the outside of the window will keep him from seeing in very plain. After that she did not speak for some time, but the occasional movements of her body, as she leaned against the panel, were audible to Orme. He found himself wondering about her how she had happened to take up the career of fortune-telling- . She must have been a handsome woman; even now she was not unat- tractive. The delay grew more and more Irksome. It seemed to Orme as though he had been behind the panel for hours. After a while he asked: What time is it? "About two o'clock. Aint you ' hungry? I hadnt Orme laughed softly. thought about it." Walt a minute. She moved away. When she returned she pulled up the hanging and opened the panel. In her hand was a thick sandwich. I was juBt going to eat my own lunch when you came back through the window, she explained. He took the sandwich. She looked at him boldly. He was standing close to her in the opening. There was an expression that was almost defiant In her eyes. I I want my present. You shall have It, Madam Alla, he said. You aint my kind and It wont Her voice mallei no difference to you. faltored and her eyes dropped. I want you to kiss me. Orme looked at her, and understood. He put his arms around her and kissed her gently on the lips. There was no disloyalty in it. He was simply satisfying the craving of this poor womans soul a craving for a tribute to which she could always revert as the symbol of a high friendliness. She felt that he was of a different world; he knew that the world was all one, though partitioned off by artificial barriers, but he could not correct her view. She clung to him for a moment after his lips left hers, then released herself from his clasp and moved back Into the room, her face averted. Was It to hide a blush? Orme did not ask himself, but respecting her reticence of spirit, silently closed the panel and was again In darkness. For a time he stood there quietly. His hack was against the wall his hands easily touched the paneling that shut him off from the room. He wondered what this secret place was for, and taking a match from his pocket he lighted it. The inclosure seemed to extend all the way across the side of the room. Farther along, lying on the floor and standing against the wall, were contrivances of which at first he could make nothing poles, pieces of tin, and were those masks, heaped in the corner? From a row of pegs hung long robes white and blaca. The truth flashed into Ormes mind. He was In Madam Allas ghost closet! PODO.M8AD medium's outfit. She was a fraud, but he liked her yes, pitied her and he felt inclined to excuse her in so far as he could. For the kiss which he had given her he felt no regret; it was hers, in all innocence, for what of good she might have found in it. The minutes dragged by. He thought of the precious documents, safe in the inside pocket of his coat. What they were, he did not try to determine, but it was plain that they must be of international importance. The talk of ships and Alcatrantes references to commissions had puzzled him. But suddenly came to his mind the news- paper rumors that Japan was secretly adding vessels to her navy through the agency of a South American republic which was having cruisers and battle- ships built in Europe, to turn them over at their completion, to the Japa- nese. There was, as yet, no interna- tlonal proof of this policy, for none of the ships had been completed, but the South American country was certainly adopting a policy of naval construction quite out of proportion to her position among the powers. How came the girl to be involved in of nations? Through her this mix-ufather,, of course but who was he? A Her courage and deconcessionaire? termination, employed against shrewd men, was as notable as the beauty of her face and mind, for she was like a queen in her assured comprehension. How it quickened his heart to think of her! The poor, faded medium, with the smolder of old flames ki her eyes, with the records of hard experience written on her face, was a child in stature beside the girl a child with yearnings that could never be satisfied. Oj She looked at him with a smile. Well, Mr. Orme, Ill get you out of this. I think I know a way. But : youll have to do just what I tell you." "I depend on you, he said. She laid her hand on his shoulder with a friendly pressure. "You'll have to wait here a while longer and youll have to keep mighty quiet I've got a circle at three oclock a seance. They come once a week, and I cant well put them off. You see, I work alone. It's a small circle, and I never liked the idea of helpers they're likely to give you away sooner or later. I stretch a curtain across this corner for a cabinet, and they tie me to a chair and then things happen. She smiled faintly. "I know you wont hurt my game." All your secrets are safe with me. He glanced at the dark interior of the closet. I didnt know any other place to put you, she said simply. Theyd have got you, if you had went to the . hall The panel closed and she was away. A moment later he heard her talking with Arima, who apparently had again climbed up to her window. said Arima. Thief must be here, He not been hall. My friend know. We see him come in here. I told you he wasn't here. If you don't believe me, why dont youi eall the cops?" "We not want cops. I come in and watch." "But Im going to hold & circle hers in a few minutes. What? Arimas voice had a puzzled note. You A seance. The spirit come. know. All sit around, with the light turned down, and spirits come. "Oh! The Japanese either underI stood or pretended to. come, then." After a period of hesitation the woman said: "Why, yes, I guess you can if you keep still. Your friend can come, too. Youre a neighbor, and I wont charge you anything. FootAll right. I call my friend. steps crossed the room ard the door to the hall was opened. Presently it closed again, and Orme heard fragments of a conversation la Japanese, From other sounds Orme gathered that the woman was arranging chairs. "Sit here, you two, he heard her say. "Youll have to keep quiet when the rest come. Do Just what they do? Be sure, now. The bell now began to ring at frequent Intervals, each time announcing Madam the arrival of newcomers. Allas clients were quickly assembling; Orme could hear them whispering among themselves. A clinking noise he did not at first Then he realized that It understand. was the sound of silver dropping into a hat. Some one was taking up the collection. He knew, too, when they hung the curtain across his corner of the room, shutting off the space ih which the medium was to sit, and when they lighted the gas and drew down the shades at the window. Then he heard them lead her into the cab1 inet and lie her to the chair. (TO BE CONTINUED.) t ' Sh-h!- . Well, the girl had doubted him. He could not wonder at that, for the facts were all against him, and she had kndwn him only a few hours. Yet he had hoped he had believed that she would know the truth and the devotion in him without further evidence. Perhaps he had expected too much from her noble Insight. After all and that was part of the loveliness of her she was a very human girl. The panel swung open, and Madam Alla stood looking down at him. She spoke in an undertone. The Japs are still watching. Arima is sitting on the fire escape by his window, and I can hear the other fel- . low moving around in the hall outside my door. I think theyre on to your being here. Orme thought for a minute, 'Tve got to get away soon, he said. "I dont mind telling you that there are papers that must be delivered before twelve oclock tonight." Can I take them for you? I don't know where to tell you to take them. She sighed. "I guess you dont trust me. Trust you? Of course, I do. But the truth is, Madam Alla, that it is going to need hard work on my part to find the person to whom the papers belong. I dont even know his name. Secretly he condemned himself now, because he had not overcomb his scruples and looked at the address on the envelope while he had the chance. Well, she said, Again she sighed. of course, it's beyond me. Do you Taming Bad Luck. do you mind my knowing your name?" Abusin' yoh bad luck, said Unci I didnt reaPardon me, he said. Eben, "is ll'ble to git It so tame dat lize that you didnt knopv It already. itll follow you aroun like a yalisr My name is Robert Orme. dog." Washington Star. t CHAPTER XII. Power of Darkness. To Orme the next half hour was very long. He seated himself upon the floor of the closet and ate the sandwich which the clairvoyant had brought him. Occasionally he could hear her moving about the apartment. Poor charlatan! he thought. She Is herself a good sort. I suppose she excuses the sham of her profession on the ground that it deceives many persons into happiness. He struck another match and looked again at the ghostly paraphernalia about him. Near him hung a black robe with a large hood. He crushed one of the folds in his hands and was surprised to discover how thin It was and into how small space it could be compressed. Not far away stood several pairs of large slippers of soft black felt. The white robes were also of thinnest gossamer flimsy stuff that swayed like smoke when he breathed toward it. By the light of a third match he looked more carefully at the other apparatus. There was a large pair of , of the conventional shape. The assortment of masks was sufficiently varied for the representation of many types of men and women of different ages. The match burned down to his fingers, and again he sat In darkness, I wondering at the elaborateness of the angel-wings- Do You Do You Mind My X now inf Yoer Nam? |