The Huttig news., 1910-12-17

would De the opposition ne would nave to overcome. Whatever else the South Americans and Japanese might do they would have their guards about the house of the girls father Hith- erto he had assumed that, once free of Alcatrante and safe on the train to Arradale, he would have plain going; but now he realized that the dangers would pile up higher as he advanced In any event. he must get rid of Al- catrante. and as they approached the elevator grills. he spoke.
 "Senor." he said, unless you stop following me, shall be obliged to hurt you. l give you fair warning"
 Alcatrante laughed If you hurt me, as you threaten. you will find your self in difficulties. You will be arrest ed, and you will have no opportunity to deliver the documents on time My position as minister-my extra-terri- toriality-will make 1t very difficult for you to extricate yourself"
 Orme looked grimly down into the sallow face My fist against your chin," he said. might do it."
 Aicatrante did not lose his smi'e. You will hardly try that, l think. There would be no time for you to get away. People in these passing eleva- tors would see you"
 Orme turned away and pressed the down" button, and a few seconds later a descending car stopped. He pushed his way in. Alcatrante after him
 The elevator was crowded Clerks and stenographers were beginning to leaye their offices, for the hour was nearly five. Orme wedged his way in at one side and. ir order to gain a momentary sense of seeiusion turned his back upon the pers ons who weT pressing against him and stood Wlta his face to the side of the cage. looniug through the scroll work of the gratie to the swiftly ascending cables in the next we'll He was conscious that A catrante stood close to him as the car began to slip downward It was a very ridiculous, this persistent pursuit of him.
 Suddenly Alcatrante's voice burst out "Stop the car! I've been robbed Stop the carl"
 There was immediate commction; girl screamed, and the swaying of the huddled group made the car rattle. The elevator man quickly threw over his lever The car stopped with a jerk between floors.
 Orme had started to turn with the others but with a quick exclamation he checked his movement and pressed his face against the grating. re- markable thing had happened. The ascending car in the next well had stopped at Alcatrante's outcry. The few passengers 1t was carrying. eager to see what was happen ing, hurried to the side nearest to Orme Less than two feet from his face was the face of a girl. Almost before he saw her at all he knew her. He forgot that he had given her ap- parent cause to doubt him: he did not stop to wonder what she was doing in this building.
 Girl" he whispered.
 Her lips parted; her eyes opened wider
 Girl, Go to Tom Wallinghams Of flee. I'll come up there. Keep out of sight when you hear me coming. AL catrante is with me-
 She nodded.
 q have the papers" he added. and his heart thumped happily when he saw joy and gratitude fash into her eyes.
 From his position and manner he might have been explaining to her what was happening in his own car. But now, conscious of the necessity of taking part in the discussion about him, be reluctantly turned away from the girl
 Alcatrante was still exclaiming vol ubly. His purse had disappeared. It had been in his pocket just before he entered the car. Therefore someone in the car must have taken it. He did not accuse any single person. though he flashed suspicious glances at Orme. who recognized. of course, that the move was directed against himself.
 To embarrass Orme with arrest and detention would well suit the purpose of Alcatrsnte At this late hour such an event would prevent the delivery of the papers Orme wondered whether the minister had realized that the pa- pers might be found by the police and disposed of properly. The explana- ton of this apparent oversight on the part of Alcatrante was not difficult, however. for perhaps it was not a part of the plan that Orme should be actually thrown into cell. It was more likely that an arrest would be followed after as much delay as All catrante could secure. by a refusal to prosecute. One advantage to Alca- trante would be the opportunity Of getting assistance while Orme was in the hands of the police so that after the prisoner was released he would have more than one person to contend with. Alcatrante would give up acting alone.
 Somebody has my purse" Alca- trante was shouting. Somebody here! You must not let anybody out,'
 The aIevator hoy had been gaping in