Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1910-12-22

"Yes7" she breathed.
"And there we're numerals num-
Der, then the letter M another num-
Der, followed by the letter E. So
far north, so far east, I read it
though l couldn't make out whether
the numbers stood for feet or PAGES
or miles,"
Eyes, yes" she whispered. Her
eyes were intent on his. They seemed
to will him to remember. What else
was thereT"
"Odd letters, which meant nothing
TO me. It's annoying, but l simply
can't recall them. Believe me, /
should like to-"
perhaps you will a little later"
she said. I'm sorry to be such q
bother to you"
"Bother!"
But 1t does mean SO much, the
tracing of this bill"
shall we go to sec Walsh7" he
asked.
Il suppose SO" She sighed. Ap-
parently she was discouraged. But
even If he gives the information, 1t
may be too late. The Japanese have
the directions"
But perhaps they will not be able
to make them out" he suggested.
She smiled. You don't know the
Japanese" she said. "They are
abominably clever at such things. I
will venture that they are already
on their way to the hiding-place."
"But even If the papers are in the
pocket Of one of them, 1t may be pos
sible to steal them back"
Hardly" She arose. Il fear that
the one chance is the mere possible
ity that Maku couldn't read the direc'
tons. Then, if Walsh will speak
out"
Nov, let me say something" he
said. my name is Robert orme
Apparently we have common friends
In the Wallinghams. When / first
saw you this afternoon. I felt that
might have a right to your acquaint
ance-a social right, If you like; 9
sympathetic right, 1 trust"
He held out his hand. She took il
frankly, and the friendly pressure O.
her fine, firm palm sent the blood
tingling through him.
II am sorry" she said, that | can
give you my name. 1t would be I'm
fair just now-unfair to others; fo,
If you knew who l am, 1t might Civ
you a clue to the secret I guard"
"Some day, l hope, / may know,
he said gravely, But your presen
wish is my law. 1t is good Of you t
let me try to help you"
At the same instant they becam
Conscious that their hands were still
clasped. The girl blushed, and gentl
drew hers away.
Il shall call you Girl" Orme added
"A name I like" she said. my ff
Their uses 1t. Oh, If / only knew wha
that burglar wrote on the bill"
Orme started. What a fool he ha
been! Here he was, trying to hel
the girl, forcing her to the long, tire
/, recital Of her story, when all tn
time he held her secret in the tabl
in his sitting-room. For there wa
still the paper on which he had copie
: the abbreviated directions.
wait here" he said sharply, an
without answering the look Of su
prise on her face, hurried from til
room and to the elevator. A fe
moments later he was back, the she'
Of paper in his hand.
~ can't forgive my own stupidity
he said. while I was puzzling ov'
r the bill this evening l copied IL
Q secret on a sheet of paper. VIII
Poritol came I put 1t away in a draw
and forgot all about 1t. But here
u.s." He laid the paper on the littl
useless onyx table that stood besit
Q her chair.
9 She snatched It quickly and begf
to examine It closely.
Perhaps you can imagine he
those letters puzzled me-" he volu
!. teered.
Z 'Hushl" she exclaimed; and thel
ooh, this is plain. You wouldi
I know. of course, but l see 1t clearl
% There is no time to lose."
you are going to follow this cl
O. now-tonight?"
a. "Maku will read 1t on the bill, al
70 oh, these Japanese! II you ha
a. one In your kitchen. you never knc
whether he's a j~inriksha man, a G
o lege student, or a vice-admiral."
To you will lot me 60 with you
Orme was trembling for the answ,
IN He was still in the dark, and did r
know how far she would feel th
g, she could accept his aid.
10 Il may need you, Mr.. Orme." s
DR. said simply.
n 1t pleased him that she brought
no question Of possible inconvenien
D. to him. With her, he realized, OF
OF direct relations were possible.
How much Of a Journey Ia III"
n ventured to ask.
ne mot very long. intend to
mysterious about it." She smil
in brightly. Her face had lighted
r. wonderfully since he gave her I
paper that contained the secret
at the bill.
Id But he knew that she must
tired: 30 he said: Cant you send
N. H