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Show Jfir Y V Y Y IztKriRATIOKr MIT RAY WAJLTER-- T' COPYRTOMT 1909 not a matter for detectives or for the police. I I almost wish It were," the it the expen.e of a soiled hat Ttobert luiierea, 11 Orme wondered again whether this . hB onnaxil a. traffln turn ratner could have realized what dan. gors the girl was encountering. But, the as If divining bis sudden written on It A second tlma lia help, anger against In tadv In th black car. and learn, - that the man who could let his daughter "JTm and Bh-- 1. W .HJh run sucn risks, she added: "He doesn't 9Wnor Porlioi of flmitli America and know, of course, the details of our ad- ventures. I havo permitted him to m.- Bnnr Alcatranin. minister iiuiu tu in Jap. try country, and .me over- - think that It Is simply a matter of Intti-in i. tha Tu,., amnion m tii" ... 8YN0P8I3. """V V..i,uTi, ent! "He't taking the right direction." she laughed. "Perhaps hit Idea Is to follow Sheridan road till we tell blra to ' . turn." "I don't quite like it," said Orme. thoughtfully. "He's a bit too sure of what he's doing." The girl hesitated. "It Is funny," she exclaimed. "And ho's going faster, r rl of the black car Mm Bl,. alan want, the bill. on. Orm toll. 1)- ttorir. Hhe rfcoKnl.e. of the JHP B "cr IHllier a "UV..V It bill the I. on the. A second Inacrlpllon J:... ... ,. i,i.inir nlucn of Imnortant P- .tolen from her father, prm. End the "Girl" .tart out In the black car Jrrotind. In Kvanaion the hiding place I. ... r v located. Riami anu m- Orme fell. Mttkti and the other Jap . nana II. t.lka thn tTlfl. .ll whone name i. aim the home or a rricna in tuvannum. .......... lurninx o nn with a guard at the fi In conversation nnr - mvi. etniion. ini-in itu.lin.u an the Ik. pout i ii lake. They linn me cnppieu ra the Jap with the paper, and "Olrl. hnai! . hut the Jan - rtrm.'a H lUIHf. ini .n.v v. ' . . . an tha naTwr i. r 1- J """ y "-- i. "" ---' mere nu Parker etreet." lie I. on the third of teacher Anma, nn m I Alia rlnlri'nvunl. II'IUI . " vii ....... . - " Aall. deecenii. by the nre- the fourth Ihwir. conceam nim.ru u istape ann room. Alcatrante. I'orltol and In Arlma'. .t t.. minui... .m.. nrnM nnila the and under the tableIhAm. In a nnner. drawer, .. I .. ' r ...... . IIIIIIIIIK i. ...a fp " Ilir'SllIUlt-. I . .. . .Ka niiiirpmvi .. . i n n.. a r. nf Inti'rnn limit for a time with tlnnal Importance . . L. . I I ..1 . . 1 II a .. . nmiu u..iwums".. llsnaturee ci inni IS a:coverea. rihetltution "1, a . injKulnr i war. ii that the American has the paptT.. Ormj nn ttempta lo Ifei away. i. uiiwuv-rc-Ho elude. and Maku. r--t upon by Arlma thm ami In lilHilen In a rlimet by thea .I..IMAUD ni rirm. Mrnnea durlnff trance Kiven oy Alia, un m. .umwomto Orme goea h encounters Alcatrante. And Tom Walllnnham. Alcatrante harnta en and trie, to tret. the paper.. Purlng . a .a M 1 lOD. ine .... citimu - Lh '- - uhw excitemrnt lAtter ihe Drma ... alar i.inb. w nn iiii " Ke the Klrl and follow, her back to wallingnam a oince. no ana ini ptm locked frn a (flant .peclmen refrigerator Irr Alcatrante. . tneir love ana wnen tnry They conre of escape abandoned hope M almoet Orme break, the thermometer coll. and g tttract. the attention of a Jlu-Jit.- u. . 1 1 I I1 I . I r"' ...l u . 11 M ... late-goin- They are liberated. dnk. CHAPTER XV. From the Devil to the Deep Sea. "How Bhall we go?" asked Orme, as they descended to the street level. "By train. There Is no other convenient way, since my car Is at home." Bhe looked at him doubtfully, and added, "but they will be watching the railroad stations." He nodded. "A motor would be safer If we can get one." He gave ber hand a secret pressure while the elevator boy was opening the door for them, and as she passed beiore mm she flashed upon him a look so filled with love and trust that the sudden thrill of bis happiness almost stifled him. At the La Salle street entrance Orme a fleeting glimpse of the watching Alcatrante. The South American, after one astonished stare, darted away In the dusk. He would follow them, of course, but Orme decided to say nothing about him to the girl. "I must telephone," she said suddenly, stopping as If to turn back to the building. "Father will be very anxi- had ous." "The booths In the building must be closed." he said. "We'd better try a drug store." Accordingly they made their way to the nearest, and the girl went to the booth. The door was shut for a long time. , While he was waiting. Orme glanced through the brilliant window. In the light of an electric lamp across the street he discerned faintly a motionless figure; without hesitation he crossed the pavement, recognizing Alcatrante more clearly as he left the dazzle of the store. The minister did not budge. His face, as Orme approached, was cold and expressionless. "Sonor," exclaimed Orme, "does your trade Include murder?" "Not at all. Why do you ask, Mr. Drme?" "Because only a lucky Intervention nas saved you from the murder of a young lady and myself." "You are exaggerating, my dear sir." Alcatrante laughed. "Is It your custom to lock people Into chambers?" Alcatrante was clearly disconcerted. "I did not suppose that It was Also, I did not dream that the young lady was there. But this game Is a serious game, Mr. Orme. You do not appear to understand. Whon one is working for his country, Many strange things are Justified." 'Kven murder?" "Even murder sometimes." Orme had an inspiration. "Thank ,ou for the truth, senor," he said. "I, too, am working for my country. If yOU Cnnllniia tn fntlnur tia T tlintl an. urne that you have murder in your "nu, ana i shall act accordingly." air-tig- "Air-tight?- " air-tigh- t. Alcatrante smiled coolly. "This is fair warning," continued Orme. I'u glanced to the drug store and the girl coming out of the telephone booth. Hastening across the 'feet, he met her at the door. 'If fnthfiB1 IAnn ouvu uuu U.J uuu mi iuca uif ai.nli ompllcatlons when we came west." mu, "tnere would have been pien-of men near by to help us. As It " shall have to act alone. It la aw v searcDing." "And now he Is reassured?" "Yes. oh, you have no Idea yet how Important It is." "You were a long time In the booth," ne said. A mysterious smile flittered across ner face. "I thought of another neraon I wlshod to talk to. That person was naru to get." "Long distance?" "It proved necessary to use long dis tance." Then she caught a glimpse of the across the street "There's Mr. Al catrante," she exclaimed. "Yet, I have Just had a talk with him." Her face showed concern. "Don't let him worry you, dear," he added. "He will try to balk us. We must expect that. But I think 1 can take care of him." "I believe it," she said, softly. He wondered whether she could guess how relentlessly he was plan ning to deal with Alcatrante. Would she Justify the course he had In mind? As to her attitude, he felt doubtful. Perhaps she did not agree with the South American that murder was sometimes necessary In the service of one's country. Moreover, while Alcatrante was un doubtedly serving the Interest of his country, Orme had no real certainty that he himself was In a similar position. He had every reason to infer that the papers were of importance to the United States government, but after all he could only go by inference. The affairs of some private corporation In the United States might have a seri ous bearing on problems In South America and the far east He decided to sound the girl for Information that would be more definite. But first the question as to their next move must be answered. "Do you know where we can get a motor?" he said. "No" she prolonged tne word doubt fully. "We may have to take a motor cab." "It would be safer than the railroad or the electric line." Then he asked with great seriousness: "Girl, dear, I don't know much about the meaning and value of these papers in my pocket and I don't care to know any more than you choose to tell me. But let me know Just this much: Are they as important to you as they are to our enemies? Have you really been Justified In the risks you have run?" "You have seen how far Alcatrante and the Japanese have been willing to go," she replied, gravely. "I am Bure that they would not hesitate to kill us, If it seemed necessary to them in their effort to get possession of the papers. Now, my dear, they are even much more important to my father." "In his business Interests?" "Much more than that" They were walking along the glimmering canyon of La Salle street, which was now almost deserted In the dusk. A motor car swept slowly around the ctrner ahead and came toward them. It bad but one occupant, a chauffeur, apparently. He wore a cap. and goggles which a dust-coaseemed to be too large for him. Regardless of Alcatrante, who was chau-feufollowing them, Orme hailed the "Will you take a fare?" he called. The man stopped his car and, after a moment of what Orme Interpreted as Indecision, nodded slowly. "How much by the hour?" asked Orme. The chauffeur held up the ten fingers of his two hands. Orme looked at the girl. He hadn't that much money with him. "If I only had time to cash a check." be said. "All right," she whispered. "1 have plenty." They got Into the tonneau, and the girl, leaning forward, said: "Take the Lake Shore drive and Sheridan road to Evanston." Again the chauffeur nodded, without turning toward them. "He doesn't waste many words." whispered the girl to Orme. While the car was turning Orme noted that Alcatrante had stopped short and was watching taem. It was some reason for surprise that he was not hunting for a motor in which to t, r. follow. Terhaps his plans were so completewas giving up altoly balked that he not be like Awould that gether. No, In lcatrante. Orme now realized that forehad minister the all likelihood had seen some such circumstance and accordingly. made plans to He was more and more Inclined half but had Alcatrante believe that expected to keep him long Imprisoned what In Walllngham'i office. Then had boen the purpose underlying the to trick? probably the Intention wat a makt Orme prisoner for at long perl- POD0,fnAD had halted the night before In their search for the hidden papers. "We'd better give him further directions," said the girl. But the chauffeur turned north at the corner and put on more speed. h- -" purer urme anu 'orme And. ... the y "Does Our Chauffeur Remind You of Any One?" od as possible and, in any event, to gain time enough to communicate with Poritol and the Japanese and whatever other persons might be helping in the struggle to regain the- papers. The had were Alcatrante that probabilities. been using the last two hours to get in touch with his friends. And now those friends would be in formed promptly that Orme and the girl were setting out by motoi;. This analysis apparently accounted for Al- catrante's nonchalance. Orme and the girl seemed to be escaping, but in truth, if they approached their destina tion at all. they must run Into the ambuscade of other enemies. Then the nearer the goal, the greater the dan ger. As the motor slid smoothly north ward on La Salle street, Orme looked back. Alcatrante had made no move. The last glimpse that Orme had of him showed that slight but sinister figure alone on the sidewalk of the deserted business street. They crossed the Clark street bridge. "Keep on out North Clark street until you can cross over to Lincoln park," said Orme to the chauffeur. The only indication that the order had been heard was a bending forward of the bowed figure on the front seat. Orme explained to the girl. "It will be better not to take the Lake Shore drive. They may be watching the Pere Marquette." "You are right," she said. "As a precaution, we'd better not pass the hotel." "How surprised I was to find you waiting for me there last evening," mused Orme "and how glad!" "I never called on a man before," she laughed, "I bad made up my mind only a little while before," he continued, "to stay in Chicago till I found you." "I'm afraid that would not have been easy." She returned the pressure of his hand, which had found hers. "If It hadn't been for those papers, we might never have met." "We were bound to meet you and I," he said. "I have been waiting all my life just for you." "But even now you don't know who I am. I may be a a political adventuress or a woman detective or " "You may be," he said, "but you are the woman I love. Your name your business, if you have one those things don't matter. I know you, and I love you." She leaned closer to him. "Dear," she whispered Impulsively, "I ain going to tell you everything who I am, and about the papers" "Wait!" He held bis hand before her mouth. "Don't tell me now. Do as you planned to do. Be simply 'Girl' to me for a while longer." She moved closer to him. Their errand, the danger, were for the time forgotten, and the motor hummed along with a burden of happiness. "You haven't looked at the papers yet," said Orme, after a time. They were turning east toward Lincoln park. "Do I need to?" "Perhaps not. I took them from the envelope which you saw at Arima's. But here they are. I did, not look at them, of course." He drew the parchments from within his coat and placed . them In her hand. While she examined them, he looked straight ahead, that he might not tee. He could hear them crackle at the un-- 1 folded them could hear her sigh of content And then something occurred that disquieted him to a degree which seemed unwarranted. The chauffeur suddenly turned around and glanced swiftly through his goggles at the girl and the papers. The action was, perhaps, natural; but there was an assured expectancy in the way he turned Orme did not like it Moreover, there was something alarmingly familiar in the manner of the movement. Somewhere Orme had seen a man move his body like that But before his suspicions could take form, the chauffeur had turned again. The girl handed the papers back to Orme. "These are the right papers," she said. "Oh, my dear, if you only knew how much they mean." He held them for a moment in his hand. Then, after returning them to his pocket with as little noise as possible, he caught the girl's eye and, with a significant glance toward the chauffeur, said in a distinct voice: "I will slip them under the seat cushion. They will be safer there." Did the chauffeur lean farther back, as If to hear better? or was the slight movement a false record of Orme's imagination? Orme decided to be on the safe side, so he slipped under the cushion of the extra seat another mining prospectus which he had jn bis pocket placing It In such a way that the end of the paper protruded. Then he put bis Hps close to the grrl's ear and whispered: "Don't be alarmed, but tell me, does our chauffeur remind you of anyone?" She studied the stolid back in front dust-coa- t of them. The masked the outline of the figure; the cap was so low on the head that the ears were covered. "No," she said, at last, "I think not." With that, Orme sought to reassure himself. They were In Lincoln park now. Over this same route Orme and the girl bad ridden less than twenty-fou- r hours before. To him the period seemed like a year, Then he had been plunging into mysteries unknown with the ideal of his dreams; now he was moving among secrets partly understood, with the woman of his life loving her and knowing that she loved him. One short day had brought all this to pass. He had heard It said that Love and Time are enemies. The falseness of the saying was clear to him In the light of his own experience. Love and Time are not enemies; they are strangers to each other. On they went northward. To Orme the streets through which1 they passed were now vaguely familiar, yet he could hardly believe his eyes when they swung around on to the lake front at Evanston, along the broad ribbon of Sheridan road. But there was the dark mysterious surface of Lake Michigan at their right. Beyond the broad beach, ha could see the line of breakwaters, and at their left the electric lights threw their beams Into the blackness of little parks and shrubby lawns. The car swept to the left past the university campus. "Do you remember?" asked the girl, In a low voice, pressing his arm. Then, "Don't!" she whispered. "Some one will see!" for he had drawn her face to his. They came to the corner of Chicago avenue and Sheridan road, where they too." She leaned forward and called up to the chauffeur: "Stop at this corner." He did not seem to hear. She repeated the order In a louder voice, but the only answer was another burst of speed. Then Orme reached up and touched the chauffeur's shoulders. "Stop the car!" be cried. The chauffeur did not obey. He did not even turn bit head. Orme and the girl looked at each other. 'I don't understand," she said. "I'm afraid I am beginning to," Orme replied. "He will not stop until we are where he wishes us to be." "We can't get out," she exclaimed, "No. And if I pull him out of the seat the car will be ditched." , He puzzled vainly to hit on a method of action, and meantime the moments sped. They passed the university grounds quickly, Orme retained an Impression of occasional massive buildings at the right Including the dome of an observatory, and at the left the lighted windows of dwellings. He saw, too, the tower of a lighthouse, a dark foundation supporting a changing light above; and then the road turned tharply to the left and, after a few hundred yards, curved again to the north. Suddenly the chauffeur slowed down. On either side were groves of trees. Ahead were the lights of an approaching motor. Orme was still at a loss, and the girl was awaiting some decision from him. When the chauffeur at last turned and spoke three short words Orme realized too late the situation he . and the girl were in. "We stop now," said the chauffeur. And the girl, with a horrified gasp, exclaimed: "Maku!" Yes, it was the Japanese. Calmly he put on the brakes and brought the car to a standstill by the roadside; then, removing his goggles, turned to Orme and the girl and smiled an inscrutable smile. There was an ugly bruise on his forehead, where Orme had struck him with the wrench. But quick though Maku was, he was not quick enough to see a motion which Orme had made immediately after the moment of recognition a motion which had even escaped the notice of the girl. Perhaps It accounted for the coolness with which Orme met his enemy's eyes. CHAPTER XVI. The Struggle. The approaching car now drew up near by, and three men Jumped lightly to the road. In the radiance of the lamps on the two cars, Orme recognized Arima. The men with him were also Japanese, though Orme was not conscious that he had ever seen them before. It was clear enough bow be and the girl had blundered Into the bands of the Orientals. Maku had undoubtedly secured a car and had driven It to the vicinity of the Rookery in response to a telephoned order from Alcatrante, transmitted, In all likelihood, through the Japanese minister. The appearance of the car on La Salle street had been expected by the South American, Perhaps he had not anticipated that Orme would hall It; the probability was that be had wished Maku's assistance without a definite Idea of what that assistance should be. but the use of the car by Orme fell in nicely with his plans. He had assumed readily enough the direction the car would take, and getting promptly Into telephonic communication with Arlma, had arranged this meeting on the road. Orme now remembered that Arima's car, when approaching, had sounded Its horn at regular Intervals. In series of threes evidently a Bignal. "Don't worry, girl, dear," whispered " he broke off his senOrme. "I tence as the newcomers clustered about the tonneau, but the confident glance of her eyes reassured him. He knew not what they were to face. The Japanese, be Inferred, would not deal with htm nleaaantiv' but surely they would not harm the girl. Arlma opened the door of the tonneau and with a lightning motion grasped Orme by the wrist "Get out" he ordered. Orme ' was In no mind to obey. There were four of the Orientals against him, and he stood little chance of success In a fight with them, but If he could only delay matters, someone might pass and he could raise an alarm. So he sat firm, and said, calmly: "What do you want?" "Get out," repeated Arlma. $ OoMPAWar When Orme still made no move to leave hit teat, the tteely fingert oa hla wrist ran up his forearm and pressed down hard upon a nerve center. The pain wat almost unbearable, and for the moment his arm was paralysed. A quick Jerk brought him to the ground. At he alighted, Maku caught him by the other arm. He was held In such a way that for the moment It teemed futile to struggle. Arlma, meantime, spoke rapidly In Japanese to Maka. Per-hnhe, at commander of the situation, wat giving precise ordert as to what wat to be done. Orme looked over hit shoulder at the girl. She was clutching the door of the tonneau and leaning forward, ttarlng with horrified eyet. "Keep cool," he counseled. Her answer wat a moan of anguish, and he realized that she feared for blm. Suddenly she began to call for help. Twice her cries rang out and then one of the Japanese leaped Into the tonneau and placed bis hand over her mouth, smothering her voice. The sight of this action wat too much for Orme. He began a furious effort to break away from his cap-tor- t. One tudden mo"on freed hit right arm from Arlma t clutch, and he reached for Maku'a throat But after a moment of scudllng, he was again held securely. "Girl!" be shouted, "don't try to call out Keep quiet." The Japanese In the tonneau appeared to understand the words, for he took his hand away from the girl's mouth, though he remained beside ber, ready to put 'an end to any fresh outbreak. "Now," said Orme, turning his eyet on Arlma, "what does thle mean?" "You give ua papers," replied the Japanese softly. "I have no papers that mean anything to you." "We tee. Give them to me." "What papers do you want?" demanded Orme. "You know." Arima't voice Bounded lest patient "But t have nothing that you care anything about," repeated Orme. At that Arlma began rapidly to aearch Orme's pockets. There wat sufficient light from the lamps of the two cars to Illuminate the acene. Arima's left hand still held Orme't right forearm, and hla right hand was free to hunt for the papers. Maku, on the other side, had meantime strengthened his grip on Orme't left arm, at the same time raising one knee so that Orme could feel It pressing against the small of his back. "What this!" asked Arlma, taking a long envelope from the inner pocket of Orme't coat and holding It up for Inspection. "A blank contract" tald Orme. "Do you want it?" Arlma took the paper from the envelope and examined It Then with an exclamation of disgust he replaced it In Orme't pocket, and continued bis search. "You see," said Orme calmly, "there Is nothing here." The Japanese, muttering In his own tongue, ran his hands over Orme'b body and even looked Into bis hat Nothing was found. "You might as well believe me first as last," exclaimed Orme. "The papers you want are not here." Arlma was clearly puzzled "You had them," he began. "Possibly. But I haven't them now. How would you feel If I should tell you that the young lady and I have made this Journey simply to throw you off the scent, and that the papers were being delivered by another perstum-bllngl- y, pt son?" "I not believe," shortly. declared Arlma Suddenly Maku began to Jabber at Arima, who, after an Instant of consideration, gave a quick order to the fourth Japanese, who stood by. This roan went to the tonneau and got the prospectuses which Orme had placed under the seat cushion. Arlma snatched the papers with bis free hand, then, resigning Orme entirely to Maku's care, and clucking strangely, opened them. A glance tufllced. With a cry of disappointment, he tore the paper In two and threw them to the ground. He thrust his face cloBe to Orme't. "Where the papera?" he said. Orme did not reply. (TO BE CONTINUED.) Bright Brown, Dull Green. Brown had married tho prettiest woman in the town and Green had married the homeliest, but thought she was a beauty. One evening they met and the conversation having drifted to their respective better halves, Green re' marked: "I say, Brown, I think you and I married the two handsomest women. In the village." Brown looked at blra In surprise a moment, but seeing be was serious, replied cautiously, and with pride: "Well, old man, I guc6s you ar- about half right" But Green didn't sea the f,olut .null he told hit wife and eho ligun cr make a few remarks . |