Cañon City record., 1902-01-23
EQUAL PARTNERS

his forehead. The total effect was
somewhat grotesque. especially be-
cause the man was inclined to fatness
and was tribe conspicuous in the
matter of attire.
This is dreadful, dreadful"' he cried.
Il cant believe it,"
You're Mr.. Robinson, who carried
the note to Miss Miller said Neale.
house,
Yes" said Robinson, turning to AL
den. Il didn't go back to the office i'm
medialely. | went over to the place
where live. | was just going down
town again when policeman met me
at the door"
Did you know what was in that
note:'' asked Neale.
II knew there was money" was the
reply. but didn't know how much.
1t was sealed when Mr.. Alden gave 1t
TO me. He said there was money in it.
That was why | brought it Instead of
giving il to n messenger boy"
what happened here?' the captain
asked.
Nothing" answered Robinson. II
gave the note TO Elsie
ITO whom:" said the captain.
ITO Miss Miller: that is what l said.
| gave the note to Miss Miller. and she
opened 1t by the window. | didn't see
any money. | wasn't in the room ten
seconds-merely long enough TO ask If
there was any answer, and she said no.
Then | went away"
Meet anybody"
.'The servant who let me in was pass
ing through the hall as went out"
That's important" said the captain.
"It fixes you all right. The servant
stopped AT Miss Miller's door knocked,
asked a question and got an answer.
Then she went along down stairs"
Fixes me- gasped Robinson. lis
anybody crazy enough to think did
this:"
NO" said the captain. You're out
of it. And now, Mr.. Alden. let me tell
you that I've just had a report from the
hospital. The girl is alive, and the doc
tors think she has a fair chance"
What does she sayy exclaimed Rob
inson.
"She hasn't said anything yet" re-
piled the captain. And now let's get
on with our little affairs here. gness
you can't help us any. Mr.. Robinson.
so IL you'll just take seat In the par
lor'- He waited till the young man
had passed out OF the room. Now.
Miss Maclane. I'D like to know little
more about you If it's perfectly agree
able"
~ am the daughter OF Duncan Mac
lane" said Brenda.
At the mention OF this wealthy aud
widely known man Neale softly whis-
tied.
.It amt possible" he said. THAT you
are the young lady with lot Of money
and high social position that you
mentioned awhile ago as being engag-
ed TO our friend here"
II am the woman" replied Brenda.
"And the engagements been broken
off? When;"
"Captain''- began Alden. but the Of
ficer raised his hand.
"a bargains bargain" he said. Il
was TO have the truth. When was the
nnga cement broken OFF,
This afternoon answered Brenda
firmly. II went down to Mr.. Alden's
Office at half past /. | had expected to
see him last evening. but
He didn't Gomez
Brenda Inclined her head.
Il went to his office" she said. land
In the conversation between us there
| released him from his engagement"
THAT must have been a hard blow
for you. Mr.. Alden" said the captain.
What do you mean?" demanded
Alden. III you have the delicacy to
appreciate my feeling
II was thinking especially about
your business" said Neale. I'm told
your firm is In the last ditch. and that
your engagement to Duncan Maclane's
daughter is about all that holds you
up. That's what my man told me just
now"
HE told you lie" said Alden. but
with the same monotonous tone. as II
his utterancp was mechanical and his
mind upon another matter. My affairs
were never before SO prosperous as
they are today"
THAT won't do" responded the cap
tain. Il have positive proof
"You know nothing about It," said
Alden. 81 have other interests than
those of my firm
What other lnterests:"
81 decline to answer"
where did you 20 when you left
your office after sending that DoteT'
81 will not tell you
why not?' queried the captain In
his most persuasive tone oh per
haps you don't know these other gen
tlemen. They'll step into the hall or
out on to the balcony. I've no doubt"
at will make no difference replied
Alden.
what you say will be confidential.
Of course