The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-05-17
vi.
Revelations.


blue-gray eyes, in sharp contrast
to the glow of radiant health in
her cheeks, as she stepped from
an automobile in front of the
Venezuelan legation, and ran
lightly up the steps. A liveried
servant opened the door.
"A gentleman is waiting for
you. Madam" he announced. His
card is here on the"
Il was expecting him." she in
terrupted. Which room, please?"
The blue room. Madame"
Miss Thorne passed along the
hallway which led to a suite of
small drawing-rooms opening on a
garden in the rear, pushed aside
the portieres, and entered.
I'm sorry I've kept you" she
began, and then. in a tone of sur
prise: 81 beg your pardon"
"A gentleman rose and bowed
gravely.
Il am Mr.. Grimm of the Secret
Service" he informed her with
frank courtesy. Il am afraid you
were expecting someone else; !
handed my card to the footman."
For an instant the blue-gray
eyes opened wide in establishment,
and then some quick, subtle
change swept over Miss Thorne's
face. She smiled graciously and
motioned him to a seat.
This is quite a different meet
ing from the one Senorita Rodri-
guez had planned, isn't it," she
asked.
There was a haunting curve on
her scarlet lips; the shadow pass
ed from her eyes; her slim, white
hands lay idle in her lap. Mr..
Grimm regarded her reflectively.
There was determination of steel
back of this charming exterior;
there was an indomitable will, a
keen brain, and all of a woman's
intuition to reckon with. She was
silent, with a questioning upward
slant of her arched brows.
81 am not mistaken in assuming
that you are secret agent of the
Italian government, am II" he
queried finally.
No." she responded readily.
I'm that event may speak with
perfect frankness?" he went on.
1T would be as useless as it would
be absurd to approach the matter
in any other manner?" 1t was a
question.
Miss Thorne was still smi\ag,
but again the vague, indefinabl
shadow, momentarily lifted, dark.
ened her eyes.
you may be frank, of course"
she said pleasantly. please go
on" .
"Senor Alvarez was shot at the
German Embassy Ball last night"
Mr.. Grimm told her.
Miss Thorne nodded, as If in
wonder.
Did you, or did you not, shoot
him?"
1t was quite casual. She re-
ceived the question without
change of countenance, but invol-
unfairly she caught her breath. 1t
might have been a sigh of relief.
why do you come to me with
such a query?" she asked in turn.
II beg your pardon" interposed
Mr.. Grimm steadily. did You or
did you not, shoot him."
mo, of course l didn't shoot
him." was the reply. If there was
any emotion in the tone it was
merely impotence. why do you
come to me?" she repeated.
why do I come to your" Mr..
Grimm echoed the question, while
his listless eyes rested on her face.
81 will be absolutely frank, as II
feel sure you would be under the
same circumstances" He paused
a moment; she nodded. "Well,
after the shooting
you ran along the hallway with al
revolver in your hand; you ranl
down the steps into the kitchen,
and out through the back door,
where you entered an automobile.
That is not conjecture; it is sus-
ceptible of proof by eye witnesses. II
Miss Thorne rose suddenly
with a queer, helpless little ges-
-ure of her arms, and walked to
The window. She stood there for
1 long time with her hands clasp
ed behind her back.
THAT brings us to another
question:" Mr.. Grimm continued
IF you did not shoot
Senior Alvarez, do you know who
iid?"
There was another long pause.
Il want to believe you, Miss
rhorne," he supplemented.
She turned quickly with some
hing of defiance in her attitude.
Eyes, 1 know" she said slowly.
1T were useless to deny It,"
Who was ft?"
IT won't tell you"
Mr.. Grimm leaned forward In
IFS chair, and spoke earnestly.
Understand, please, that byl
hat answer you assume equal
guilt with the person who actually
lid the shooting" he explained. |
II you adhere to 1t you compel
ne to regard you as an accom-
plfce-" His questioning took a.
different line. WIN you explain
how the revolver came into your
possession?"
"oh, III picked II up in the