The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1908-11-19
CHAPTER VI.

ing the patents on the Kane-Latimer
metal process" to revolutionize political
situation.
There was a third motive he had in
view, but he did not state it to Michael
Delehanty, or to the Amalgamated mes
senger: the browning desire of his life
was to secure some positive proof that
Percy Kane was the murderer or his
brother.
He had profound faith in the exist
ence. somewhere. somehow, of an incrim-
mating clew. Sometime it would come to
light. But if there was no such evidence,
no witness, Hope determined to resort to
any means to finally urge the millionaire
schemer to confession.
His-Hope's-was the task TO reduce
this man to poverty, to subyert every an
bition and joy of mis- life.
But to follow that other trail, to bring
actually home to Kane his crime-that
had been left for the deft hand OF a WON
an-Claire Tremaine-
Two days after the peculiar error
which had disguised Gideon Hope most
effectually, a beautiful young girl sat at
a richly carved desk in the private oihce
of the new iron magnate of the kanawha
district.
1t was a luxurious apartment. supplied
with every model modern accessory known
to progressive business. Handsome deco
rations covered the walls, soft velvet
rugs were scattered about the polished
hardwood floors. The ornate In leather,
oak and bronze supplied each corner and
niche. and rich electric light chandeliers
supolied the place with constant illumina-
ton.
Claire Tremaine had been in the en-
ploy of the company for three months.
Under Gideon Hopes tutelage she had
been trained. steeled, for the part she was
to play. Kane had never seen her during
bis dealings with her father, for the
motherless girl had been away at school
over three years, spending her vacation
at the home of an aunt in Maryland,
where her father went TO visit her.
So she had few acqua'ntances when
she came home finally to reign as queen
NJ tie fair palace her father had erected
for what he believed would be a rare.
hapny future. Here at Stanton there
seemed no probability OF ever meeting
any old seminary friend. Still she had
considerably altered her appearance. But
this had not detracted from her beauty !;
the assumption OF the character of a
moor Young girl compelled to earn her
daily bread-it had rather heightened
graces and loneliness that had ct once
won her a position as copy clerk. pro-
motion to the stenogra pher desk. and
finally that IF especial private secretary
to Percy Kane himself.
Claire was alone in the private Office.
Her eyes were sadly fixed upon the busy
scene of labor without. In memory she
went back over the past few weeks Her
lin trembled. her bosom rose and fell with
varied stirring emotions.
Then a sudden determination nerved
her, and SD, drove from soul and face
the fitting senderer sentiments that had
intrBded.
She drew letter from a drawer to
which she alone had the icy. She open
ed and read it over.
Dear Mr.. Hope: have for you the
Information you desired oil the metal pro-
cess patentee.
"Of the other information l have found
nothing If he has in his possession any
document or record discriminating him. OF
even linking him with the Consolidated
Silver Company, be carefully corceals the
same In some place elsewhere.
Il am at my post. l serve, 1 wait, IA
you desire, but l must see you. The or.
deal is too severe! Something has hap
rened- He-but / will not write what
I must tell you.
'You must take me away from here
fall
and l must see you'll"
She arose quickly, bestowing the letter
at her belt man entered the room
massive, overfed, overdressed-one of thu
abis four" who had engineered the dea
that made rascally quartette censors Of
the metal markets of the world.
He had the grace to remove from hi:
mouth the cigar he was smoking as Il,
asked:
Kane IMP
"No, SIR
She shivered at the leering. sensuou
glance of this man. a figure-head at tn
champagne supper directors meeting, 1
being who would have been a fixture il
some tannery or digging sewers but 70
his usefulness to Kane.
He passed out. She caught his chuck
ling remark to the clerk in the next room
as be went out Of sight:
IF it wasn't for Kane, I'd take SOM
pains to cultivate Miss Rockford my
selfw
Claire stood erect, flushing, smartin,
to the soul-contact with these men sui
lied every womanly instinct.
al can not endure it ~ she said. Jus
then the telephone bell in an adjoinin;
closet rang. She went to the instru
ment.
Claire forgot everything except tn
business OF the moment as she receive,
the message coming over the wires.
1t was a long-distance announcement
from Pittsburg, and it told of the con
summation Of one of the largest foreign
contracts ever awarded an American
firm, but consequent upon the immediat,
presence of Mr.. Kane in New York.
1t was so important that Claire knew
she must lose no time in getting hel
employer to the phone to answer in per
son.
She fastened into the outer Office ant
addressed the inquiry clerk:
''Where is Mr.. Kane?"
HE has just gone over with the super
intendent beyond the casting shed, to Sc,
about the erection of new hoistin:
crane" was the response.
Claire glanced about the office Sh,
was conscientious to the point that
though here for an Interior purpose, shr
was loy al to the exigencies of the bushes,
regime of the institution.
One or two of the mill messenger boy.
we're in sight, but they might daily; Mr.
Kane might not understand from then
how imperative was the necessity of the
moment.
II will go and tell him myself" decid
ed Claire.
She ran back to the phone, ordered thu
wire held, and passed quickly out of the
quarters into the open air.
She had to pass down cindered road
between two lcag shops. round the cast
ing shop, and thus reach the spot where
she knew her employer to be. 1t was
Il