The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-03-25

after ALL, is-who are these peoples =
why did they kill Mr.. Holladayg -why
have they abducted his daughter9-
what is their plot3'
"Yes,'' I assented; and again had
a moment Of confused perplexity, as of
"But after you find her, she asked,
"what will you do with her9'
edo with her? Why, take her home,
Of course.'
"But she' very probably be broken
down, perhaps even on the verge Of
hysteria. Such an experience would up
set any woman, [ don't care how robust
and care. You must bring her to us
at Paris, Mr.. Lester.''
| [ saw the wisdom Of her words, and
said so. -: =.
'That s very kind Of you,' I added.
81 am sure Mr.. Royce will agree but
we have first to find her, Miss KEN
ball. -.
I was glad for my own sake, too; the
parting 81 tomorrow would not, then,
be final one. I should see her again.
[ tried to say something of this, but
my tongue. faltered and refused to
shape the words. - - :. - :.
She left ne, presently, and fol-. an
hourss or more T. sat there and looked,
! in every aspect, at the theory she had
to disprove it; and yet, as she had said,
| it merely served to deepen the mystery.
Who were these people, I asked myself
again, who dared to play SO bold and
Desperate a ,game7 The illegitimate
daughter might, Of course, impersonate
Miss Holladay; but who was the elder
woman7 Her mother7 Then the iason
accent was not to be mistaken; but in
France Mr.. Holiday had been always
with his wife: Besides, Me younger
woman spoke English perfectly. True,
she had said only a few words-the
hoarseness might have been affected to
conceal a difference in voice-but how
explain the elder woman s resemblance
they both be illegitimate9 But that was
nonsense, for Mrs. Holiday had taken
her into her life, had loved her
And Martigny? Who was he's What
was his connection with these women
That the crime had been carefully
planned I could not doubt; and it had
been carried out with surprising skill.
There had been no nervous hating at
the supreme moments, no hesitation nor
drawing back; instead. a GOODNESS of
execution almost fiendish, arguing a
hardened and practical hand.
Doubtless it was Martigny. who had
arranged the plot, who had managed
it's development. And with what bold
ness! He had not feared to be present
at the inquest; nor even to approach
me and discuss the, case with me. l
tried to recall the details of our talk
impatient that I had paid so little heed
=. to it. He had asked, remember. what
would happen to Frances Holiday if
she were found guilty. He had been
anxious then, to save her. He had-yes
I saw it now!-he had written the note
| ,I1t II ho bod + he
risk Of discovery to get her free!
# I only had clew; one thread tc
follow! One ray Of light would be
enough! Then could see my way out
of this hopeless tangle; 1 should know
how to strike. But to stumble blindly
onward in the dark-,that might dc
more harm than good. g.
Yes, and there was another thing fol
me to guard against. What was to pre-
vent him., the moment he stepped
lashore, wiring to his confederates
warning them, telling them to fee? o.
he might wait, watching, us, until he
saw that a they yer were ,; really in danger
Miss Kendall had been right when she
pointed out that our only hope was il
catching them unprepared. If coulc
throw him off, deceive him, convince
him that there was no danger!
The Impulse was too strong to be
resisted. In moment was on my
feet-but, no to surprise him would
be to make him suspect! I called {
steward.
"Take this card up to Monsieur Mar
tigny," I said, Sin 375, and ask if he
is well enough to see me.
As he hurried away, sudden doubt
seized me; Mortified at my hardihood,
opened my mouth to call him back. But
I did not call: instead, sank back int
my chair and stared out across the
water Had done well7 Was it wise
! to tempt Providence9 Would I prove
a match for my enemyq The next hall
hour would tell. Perhaps he would no.
see me; he could plead illness; he nigh
be really too i'll.
ssMonsieur Martigny,'' said the ste
ward IS voice at my elbow, answer
that he will be most pleased to Sc,
Monsieur Lester at once. =
(To Be Continued Next Saturday,
i ssa u E