Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-01-23

The moment he had removed his
affable young presence Birdsall APP
preached his employer. 1t had been a
difficult quarter of an hour with the
detective. Vague instinct warned him
not to touch the subject of Miss
Smith; he felt in no way assured
about anything else. The result had
been that he had fidgeted in silence.
But the accumulated food could no
longer be- held.
1--WE found out one thing" exploded
Birdsall, putting In the haste of his ut
terance. The boy is on the prem
ises."
think so?" was all the colonels
answer.
"I'm sure Of 1t. Say, I overheard
Mercer talking down speaking-tube."
What did he say"
Talked French. damn him! But
say, what's gorge?"
Throat
Whats cupillo gorge?"
Sure he wasn't talking Of car
rage, or did he say je le couperai la
gorge?"
Maybe. wouldn't swear to 1t. l
don't parlez francais little bit"
did you hear any other noises?
Where were they?"
Bir6sall thought he had heard other
noises, and that they were down cellar.
"And, anyhow, colonel, I'm dead-to-
rights sure those guys are giving us
hot stuff to get us out Of the house.
I'm for getting our men in now and
rushing the house. It's me for the
cellar"
While, the colonel was rolling Bird
sails information around in his mind,
he heard the echo of steps on the flag
ging which preceded Mercer and the
other man.
There was that in the bearing and
the look Of them that made the watch
er, used to ,he signs OF decision on
mems faces, instantly sure that their
whole course Of plans and action was
changed.
Mercer spoke first and in low tone
to the colonel.
II have no right" said he, ito ask
80 much trust from you, but will you
trust me enough to step aside with
this young man and me for a mo-
ment only-out Of earshot? give
you my word Of honor mean no
slightest harm to you. wan to be
frank. I will go alone II you desire"
The colonel eyed him intently for
the briefest space. I'LL trust you, "
said he Then: Il think you have the
key to this queer mix-up, At your
service. And let your friend come.
too. He is an ingenious sort, and he
amuses me-"
Birdsall looked distinctly sullen over
the request to wait, intimating quite
frankly that his employer was walking
into trap. II won't stand here more
than is minutes" he grumbled. 1--WE
given those fellows POGO tiente long
enough" But the colonel insisted on
20 minutes, and reluctantly Birdsall
acquiesced.
Mercer conducted the others to the
library. When they were seated he
began In his composed. melancholy
fashion:
Il earnestly beg Of you to listen to
me. and to believe me, for your
nephew's sake. It Is the only way
now. When you came, we handed him
over to this gentleman, exactly as we
have said. do not know why he
should have been stopped. l do not
know why he left the machine"
Might he not have been carried
away ?" said Winter.
HE might: but don't know what
motive"
What motive had you? You kid
mapped him!"
mot exactly. We had no intention
Of harming him. He came accidental
ly into the room between Mrs. Win
ter's and Mr.. Keatcham's suites. Stand
ing in that room, trying to stanch
the bleeding Of a sudden hemorrhage
of the nose, he overheard me and my
friend"
"You?" asked the colonel, laconical-
", of the young Harvard man.
81" smihngly confessed the latter.
II am ready to own up. You are a
decent fellow, and you are shrewd.
You ought to be on our side, not
fighting us. l tell you, you don't want
to have the boy turn up safe and
sound any more than | do. Mr.. Mer-