The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1907-12-27

painful recollection Of the candid
statement of opinion | had received
from the daughter OF the house.
"oh, you did very WELL" said Mrs.
Knapp kindly. but no one could have
been successful in that house. Luella
was quite outraged over 1t, but l
managed to quiet her"
81 hope Miss Knepp has not re-
tanned the unfavorable impressions OF
-er-" | stammered In much confus-
ion.
Mrs. Knapp gave me keen glance.
"You know she has not" she said.
We'll" continued Mrs. Knapp,
when | saw you and guessed that
something had happened to Henry
Wilton, and found that you knew little
OF what was going on, l changed the
plan Of campaign. did not know that
you were one 10 be trusted, but saw
that you could be used to keep the
others on a false scent, for you de-
ceived everybody but u.s."
Il would have spoken when found
you for what you are" said Mrs.
Knapp. but thought until the Liver
more trip that you could serve me best
as you were doing"
vt was blind work." ! said.
1T was blind enough for you. not
for me. / was deceived in one thing,
however; thought that you had no
papers-nothing from Henry that
could help or hurt. The first night
| \
| thoroughly searched"
"Oh, I was indebted to you for that
attention" | exclaimed. 81 gave our
friends OF the other house the credit"
| Mrs. Knapp smiled again.
Il thought II necessary. II was the
chance that you did not sleep there
that night that kept this paper out of
my hands weeks ago"
Il have always kept it with me-" l
said.
Il did not need Il till Sunday" con-
tinued Mrs. Knapp. Il have been 'wor-
ried much at the situation Of the boy
but did not dare go near him. Henry
was not safe. We had talked Of NOV
in,, him a few days before you came.
When | found that Henry had disap-
| ieared | was anxious TO make the
change. but could not venture TO at
| tempt II until the others were ont Of
| town, for knew | was watched. Then
/ was assured from Mother BortOn
that they did not know where the boy
was hidden. and let the matter rest.
! But a few days ago-on Saturday
she sent me word that she thought
| they had found the place. Then Il
came TO me to send you TO Livermore
with the other boy-oh. ! hope no
exclaimed anxiously.
Hes safe in my rooms In charge
| Of Wainwright" | said. He got back
! on the morning train. and can be
had for the asking"
"oh. I'm so glad" said Mrs Knapp.
Il was afraid something would hap.
pen TO him. but | had TO take desper.
ate chances. Wen, you see my plan
succeeded. They all followed you.
But when l went TO the hiding place
the boy was gone. Henry had moved
| him weeks ago, and had died before
| he could tell me. Then / thought you
might know more than you had told
me-that Henry Wilton might have got
| you to help him when he made the
change, and wrote to you"
"And the key" l said. remembering
the expression Of the note. did you
mean this diagram" tH
mo" said Mrs. Knapp, 81 meant the
key to our cipher code. | was looking
over Henry's letters for some hint oil
a hiding place and could not find the
key to the cipher. | thought you
might have been given one. l found
mine this afternoon, though, and there
was no need of 1t, So 1t didn't matter
after ALL"
The pitching and tossing OF the boa,
had ceased. And, a minute later, with
ciang of bells and groan OF engine we
were at the wharf and were helped
ashore.
| Tell the captain TO wait here for us
with fires up" said Mrs. Knapp. "The
carriage should be somewhere around
here" she continued. peering anxious.
ly about as we reached the foot of the
| wharf
This way" said familiar voice,
| and man stepped from the shadow.
| "Dicky Nahl!" l exclaimed.
"Mr. Wilton," mimicked Dicky.
But it's just as well not TO speak so
loud. Here you are. put the hacks
lights out just to escape unpleasant
remark"
Mrs. Knapp entered the carriage and
called to me to follow her.
remembered Mother Bottoms warn
ings and my doubts OF Dicky Nahl.
you're certain you know where you
are going?" asked him in an under
| tone.
mo, I'm not" said Dicky frankly.
I've found a man who says he knows.
We are to meet him. Well get there
between 3 and o'clock. He won't
say another word to anybody but her
or you. ! guess he knows what he is
about"
We'll. keep your eyes open. Meek
er's gang is ahead OF us. Is the driver