The Delta independent., 1910-11-04

these conditions pointed to the truth o.
the explanation she had heard.
On the other hand, there was his ap
pearance on the lake, an hour or more
after the episode on the campus. Nigh
1t not occur to her that. had he already
secured the papers. he would have had
no object In the further pursuit of the
Japanese? But, perhaps she would
think that he was seeking Arima to
sell the papers back to him; or that.
in spite of his appearance of surprise
he had been a witness of her abduc.
tion and had gone out on the water to
save her. There were so many things
she might think! Indeed, that dubious
word II 'ss" might even signify
unless he has secured the papers
since | last saw him But no; she
would gather from tn, situation in
which she found her enemies that the
envelope had not been out of their pos
session since 1t was taken from the
tree Orme shut his lips hard He
doubt of him would have to be en
dured, even though 1t shattered hi
pleasant dream of her complete an
sympathetic understanding
Alcatrante, meantime, was studyin:
the girl with curious eyes. His look
was both perplexed and admiring.
DC you mind telling me how you
happened to come to this placer" he
asked.
She answered indifferently: Sup
posing the japanese had stolen the pa
pers, l searched Maku's room at our
house. There was a torn envelor e
there with the name 'Arima' printed
In the corner"
Alcatrante bowed. You are clever
er than most Americans, my dear
young lady" he said His lips curved
into smile that disclosed his fangs.
That" she replied. "is as it may be-
But / have not your admiration for
trickery, Mr.. Alcatrante"
Again he smiled. "Ah," he ex.
claimed 'trickery is the detail work of
diplomacy" Then with a shade OF
seriousness in his voice, he asked:
why did you use that word unless ?? -
why, indeed?' She made this nom
committal answer, and If Alcatrante
had hoped to soothe her into friend
hness and draw from her a clue to her
suspicious, he was disappointed
There was another period of silence,
broken at last by the Japanese. THE
fact that we have failed. my dear
young lady" he said, makes conceal
ment unnecessary. | know. of course,
that this matter will never become pub
lie. You understand that the repre-
sentatives o, great nations often have
to take steps which. as private citizens,
they would never think Of"
YES" she answered. II understand
There Is no more to be said. Good
day"
There was a step and the sound of
the door closing. She had gone.
Alcatrante and the Japanese looked
at each other. I'VE have not failed
yet" said Alcatrante in French. "The
girl does not know where the docu-
ments are. or she would not have come
here. If her father does not have
them before midnight oar plans are
safe. We remain merely at a loss as
to the details of the documents, and
we already know what they contain in
a general way"
Yes agreed the Japanese, things
do not look SO black perhaps. But
am interested In your former advice"
-i"Yes?" G eflel jG 5gofs aGsN
Find the American! That is what
she will try. to do" -e,r7 brs
D I'VE had an appointment with him
this morning" said Alcatrante grimly.
but when you said that your man had
the envelope, 1t no longer seemed nee
essary We-you and 1-still have the
same object In view. Ilsuggest that
We now set out separately i9tIiJUe.
'i "As you wish,2 said the Japanese
calmly. Doubtless he knew that AL
catrante was grasping at straw
which might still give him the ad-
vantage in future negotiations. 81 am
honored by your cooperation thus far
He bowed formally. l'- ea'4 DUE
Alcatrante returned the bow and,
beckoning to Poritol, left the room,
The Japanese minister turned p to
Arima and talked rapidly in his native
tongue. From his manner 1t was plain
that he was giving orders. At last,
with little gesture of authority. he
put on his hat and walked out. The
door closed after him with slam.
Arima, now alone. seated himself in
a chair and appeared to mediate.
Again his hands were clasped about
his knees and his beady eyes fixed on
space. For fully fifteen minutes he
sat thus; then. with little clucking
sound. he leaped to his feet and hur-
ried into the next room.
Nov waa Orme's chapca He lftad
the table cover and rose to his feet.
Arima had not closed the door after
him. but Orme was not In the line Of
direct view into the other room, and
he had to risk the possibility of being
seen before he reached the window.
Or should he try for the door? It all