Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1905-10-19

money to one of her name within 9
stated time"
"Well. 1t is all a mystery. thought
had kept this affair secret from the
whole world. and now you are trying
to prove to me that 1t has been shared
by the basest and most mercenary OF
my kind. Why. I did not even speak
to this woman!'
II can believe It,"
"Nor have I ever seen her since tia,
time"
"I can believe that, too. She Is in
hiding, and knows that she has but 10
show herself to be arrested. Her &C.
complice on the contrary, has had full
swing, and If we have not found him
In your valet"
"But we have" now broke In the
artist "Why else should he have de-
ceived me by saying he was a detec'
tive?'
"a detective" repeated Mr. Degraw.
of Cleveland.
"Yes, and thus excusing himself for
the curiosity he showed over a letter
which I was reading. If he has not
meddled with your paper, Mr. Degraw.
he certainly has shown disposition
to do so with mine"
"The scamp! And have intrusted
him with notes to Miss Rogers"
"Did you send him to my rooms to.
night?"
mo"
"Yet he has been there. Did You
ever utter threats against my life?"
Against your life, Mr.. Degraw! Do
I henr Won rightly?
"Yet this man told me that was in
danger from your jealousy; swore that
he had overheard you muttcr threats
against me-
"Sir, you overwhelm me! l, the most
pea eaceable man alive! do not wonder
you looked askance upon me. Is 1t
necessary for me to say that this VII
lain has belied me; that, for purposes l
dare not fathom he wished to raise an
enmity between u.s.
Say, rather" continued the other,
that he aimed at driving me ont OF
town. He did not like the surveillance
l kept over Miss Rogers; it interfered
with his schemes"
True" replied the other, turning
pale. IF he is the conspirator you
deem him he has another victim in
prospect. Whittier has the man gone?
| cannot rest till l see him in custody"
THAT we may hope to do soon,' as
serted Mr.. Gryce. Ever since We
knew that the Signorina Valdi, other
wise Miss Rogers, had come to this
place unprotected we have kept de-
tcctivc here to guard her. Though you
do not know Mr.. Byrd. who undcr-
stands his business too well to make
himself conspicuous, he knows you
and this other Mr. Degraw and all the
rest Of the persons connected with this
affair. That he should have suspected
your valet and followed him into this
other gentleman'S rooms tonight (as
| we know he did adds to my own CON
viction of your Wallets guilt. My COZ
league is now upon this fellows track.
and If nothing unforeseen occurs we
shall presently have the pleasure of an
Introduction to him under circurn-
stances that will make his escape im-
possible"
This was encouraging, yet the gentle:
man he addressed still showed that he
was very anxious.
"And, meanwhile" he suggested.
"who is watching over Miss Rogers!'
At this question. so forcibe and un-
expected the artist started and thrill
of the detective.
IF" continued their host "a conspir-
acw has been formed of the nature you
describe, and every girl who seems to
stand in the way Of its success is la
BILE to death or dishonor, how shall we
measure the peril now hanging over the
head of this beautiful woman, who, as
any one can sec, has not only attracted
my admiration, but so won my regard
that no doubt can remain In the MIND
of any one acquainted with my pur-
poses, of the direction which this trust
money will take when it definitely
leaves my hands. Barton has been
frightened and is running away, :! III
say, but Barton may not be the only
enemy she has in town. A plot inVolv-
ing so much money is sure to have
more than two persons concerned IN IL.
How can we tell then. that the woman
who brushes her hair has not sworn to
kill her before morning?'
True" asented the detective, there
is no telling from what quarter the
blow may come"
"She does not fear any blow" put
in the artist, with increasing agita-
ton, land that makes her position only
less secure. This villain-Barton,
mean-has so convinced her that tho
peril which surrounds girls of her
name is in her case directed not toward
herself, but toward one whom she hon
ors with her regard that she Is abso'
lutely reckless as to her own safety,
and will court any danger unfinch-
ingly."
"Then," declared Mr.. Degraw, with
frmness, 1--WE must dispel this danger
by decisive act. Once let her be
known as the legal owner Of these
millions. and there will no longer be
any motive for injuring her. 1t is only
while they remain in my hands and
subject to the peculiar disposition
which I am under promise to make of
them, that the cause of these conspira-
tors can be helped by her injury or de.
struction."
"That is so," Quoth the detective.
To be continued.