The Delta independent., 1910-11-04

given her he felt no regret; II wa
hers, in all innocence, for what OF
good she might have found in it.
The minutes dragged by. He though.
of .the precious documents. safe in the
inside pocket of his coat. What they
were, he did not try to determine, bu,
1t was plain that they must be of in
ternational Importance. The talk OF
ships and Alcatrante's references to
commissions had puzzled him. But
suddenly came to his mind the news
paper rumors that Japan was secretly
adding vessels to her navy through the
agency of a South American republic
which was having cruisers and battle
ships built in Europe, to turn them
over at their completion, to the Japa-
nese. There was, as yet, no interra.
tional proof of this policy, for none OF
the ships had been completed. but the
South American country was certainly
adopting policy of naval construction
quite out of proportion to her position
among the powers.
How came the girl to be involved in
this mix-up of nationse Through her
father. of course-but who was he? A
concessionaire? Her courage and de.
termination. employed against shrewd
men. was as notable as the beauty Of
her face and mind for she was like a
queen In her assured comprehension.
How 1t quickened his heart to think
OF her! The poor. faded medium. with
the smolder of old flames in her eyes.
with the records OF hard experience
written on her face. was child in
stature beside the girl-a child with
yearnings that could never be salts
fed.
Well. the girl had doubted him. He
could not wonder at that. for the facts
were all against him. and she had
known him only a few hours. Yet he
had hoped-he had believed-that she
would know the truth and the devotion
In him without further evidence. Per
haps he had expected too much from
her noble insight. After all-and that
was part of the loveliness of her-she
was very human girl.
The panel swung open. and Madam
ALA stood looking down at him. She
spoke in an undertone
The Japs are still watching. Arima
is sitting on the fire escape by his
window, and can hear the other fel-
low moving around in the hall outside
my door. | think they're on to your
being here"
orme thought for minute i've got
to get away soon." he said. Il don't
mind telling you that there are papers
that must be delivered before twelve
o'clock tonight"
Can take them for you?''
II don't know where to tell you tc
take them"
She sighed. 81 guess you don't trust
me-"
Trust you? OF course. do. But the
truth is. Madam Ala. that It is going
to need hard work on my part to find
the person to whom the papers belong.
! don't even know his name" Secretly
he condemned himself now. because he
had not overcome his scruples and
looked at the address on the envelope
while he had the chance.
Again she sighed. Well" she said
"of course. it's beyond me. Do you
do you mind my knowing your name?"
Pardon me- he said. Il didn't rea-
lie that you didn't know It already.
My name is Robert Orme."
She looked at him with smile.
We'll. Mr.. orme. I'll get you out OF
this. think I know a way. But
you'll have to do just what I tell you"
II depend on you" he said. aU
She laid her hand on his shoulder
with a friendly pressure. You'll have
to wait here a while longer-and you'll
have to keep mighty quiet. I've got a
circle at three oclock-a seance.
They come once week. and can't
well put them on You gee. work
alone. It's a small circle. and | never
liked the idea Of helpers--they're like
ly to give you away sooner or later.
stretch curtain across this corner for
a cabinet. and they tie me to a chair
and then things happen" She smiled
family. Il know you won't hurt my
game"
"All your secrets are safe with me-"
He glanced at the dark Interior OF the
closet fa
Il didn't know any other place to
put you" she said simply. They'd
have got you. II you had went to the
hall-Sh-h!" The panel closed and
she was away. A moment later he
J M