Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-03-21

Dull not deeply interested by this new
development
Well" said Van Torp thoughtful
ly, IF I'd known was going to meet
him somewhere, I'd have said this
was as likely a place as any to find
him in, now that know what It was
he whistled. But / admit that the
other matter has more in 1t. won
der what would happen II I asked
him about Miss Barrack?'
Nothing" Margaret answered con-
fidently. Nothing would happen. He
has never heard of her,
Van Torp's sharp eyes tried In vain
to penetrate the veil.
That's not quite clear" he OBJ
served. "Or else this isn't my good
day"
THE girl fooled you" said Marga-
ret In low voice. did she mention
his name to your"
We'll no"
"She never saw him in her life, or
If she ever did, II was she who robbed
him of rubies; and it was not the 9th
er way. as you supposed. Men are
generally inclined to believe what a
nice-looking girl tells them!"
That's true" Van Torp admitted.
but all the same, don't quite under
stand you. There's a meaning in your
voice that's not in the words. Excuse
me II I'm not quick enough this morn
ing, please. I'm doing my best"
Your friend Baraka has been ar
rested and sent to prison In London
for stealing a very valuable ruby
from he L.
ret explained. 1.-THE stone had Just
been taken there by Mons. Logotheti
to be cut. The girl must have fol-
lowed him without his knowing IL,
and watched her chance, though how
old Pinney can have left such thing
lying on the counter where any one
could take it is simply Incompetent
sible. That's what you heard in my
voice when I said that men are credu-
Gous.'
Mr.. Van Torp thought he had heard
even more in her accent when she
had pronounced Logotheti's name Be-
sides, she generally called him Logo"
as all his friends did. The American
said nothing for a moment. but he
glanced repeatedly at the white veil,
through which he saw her handsome
features without their expression.
Well" he said at last, almost to
himself. for he hardly expected her to
understand the language of his sur
prise, that beats the band!".
ct really is rather odd, you know"
responded Margaret. who understood
perfectly. eff you think I've adorned
the truth I'll give you the police court
report. / have 1t in my glove. Lady
Maud sent it to me with a letter"
She added, after an instant's hesita-
ton, I'm not sure that l shall not
give you that to read. too, for there's
something about you in it, and she is
your best friend. isn't she?"
"Out and out. 1 dare say you'd smile
If told you that asked her to help
me to get you to change your mind"
NO" Margaret answered. turning
slowly to look at him. She tells me
so in this letter."
guessed as much, and had wished to
undermine the surprise he supposed
that Margaret had in store for him.
That's Just like her straightforward
way of doing things. She told me
frankly that she wouldn't lift a finger
to influence you However, it can't
be helped, I suppose"
The conclusion of the speech
seemed to be out of the logical Sc
quence.
she has done more than lift I'm
ger now" Margaret said.
Has she offended you?" Van Torp
ventured to ask, for he did not under
stand the constant subtone of anger
he heard in her voice. Il know she
would not mean to do that"
NO. You don't understand. I've
teIegraphed to ask her to join US
here"
Van Torp was really surprised now,
and his face showed it.
Il wish we were somewhere alone"
Margaret continued. '1 mean, out of
the way of Mrs. Rushmore. She
knows nothing about all this. but she
saw me examining the letters into my
glove, and ! cannot possibly let her
see me giving them to you"
"Oh, well, let me think said the
millionaire. 81 guess I want to buy
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