The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-05-21
XIII.
A Conference in the Dark.

Inc Wnite rays OF q distant arc
light filtered through the half
drawn velvet hangings and laid a
family illumined path across the
ambassadors desk; the heavy
leather chairs were mere impalp-
able splotches in the shadows; the
cut-glass knobs of mahogany
cabinet caught the CLINT of light
and reflected IL dimly. Outside
was the vague. indefinable night
drone of city asleep, unbroken by
any sound that was distinguish
able, until finally there came the
distant boom of clock. 1t struck
twice.
Seated on a couch in one corner
of the ambassadors office was Mr..
Grimm. He was leaning against
the high arm of leather, with his
feet on the seat, thoughtfully
nursing his knees. If his attitude
indicated anything except sheer
comfort, 1t was that he was lis
tening. He had been there for
two hours, wide-awake, and abso-
lutely motionless. Five, ten, fiji
teen minutes more passed, and
then Mr.. Grimm heard the grind
and whir of an automobile a block
or so away, coming toward the
embassy. Now it was in front.
"Honk! Hon-on-onk!" 1t called
plaintively. "Hon-on-onk! Honk! "
hTe signal! At last! The au-
tomobile went rushing on, full tilt,
while Mr.. Grimm removed his feet
from the seat and dropped them
noiselessly to the floor. Thus.
with his hands on his knees, and
listening, listening with every fac
ulty strained, he sat motionless,
peering toward the open door
that led into the hall. The cur
was gone now, the sound of it was
swallowed up In the distance, still
he sat there. 1t was obviously
some noise in the house for which
nc was WdltlHB.
Minute after minute passed, and
still nothing. There was not even
TIE whisper of a wind-stirred dra-
perry. He was about to rise when.
suddenly, with no other noise than
that of the sharp click of the
switch, the electric lights in the
room blazed up brilliantly. The
glare dazzled Mr.. Grimm with its
binding flood, but he didn't move.
Then softly, almost in a whisper
Good evening, Mr.. Grimm"
1t was a woman's voice, pleas
ant, unsurpassed, perfectly modu-
lated. Mr.. Grimm certainly did
not expect it now, but he knew it
instantly-there was not another
quite like it in the wide, wide
woodland though he was still
blinking a little, he came to his
feet oourteously.
Good morning, Miss Thorne,"
he corrected gravely.
Now his vision was clearing. and
he saw her, a graceful figure. sill
houetted against the rich green of
the wall draperies. Her lips were
curled the least bit, as If she
might have been smiling, and her
wonderful eyes reflected a CLINT of
1t amusement? The
folds of her evening dress fell
away from her, and one bare,
white arm extended, as her hand
still rested on the switch.
and you didn't hear me?" still
In the half whisper. II didn't
think you would. Now I'm going
to put out the lights for an in
slant, while you pull the shades
down, and then-then we must
have IA conference"
The switch snapped. The lights
died as suddenly as they had
been born, and Mr.. Grimm, NOV
ing noiselessly. visited each of the
four windows in turn. Then the
lights blazed brilliantly again.
Just Tor a moment" Miss
Thorne explained to him quietly.
and she handed him a sheet of
paper. II want you to read this
1t carefuIly--then / shall
turn out the lights again. They
are dangerous. After that we
may discuss the matter at our
leisure"
Mr.. Grimm read the paper while
Miss Thorne's eyes questioned his
impassive face. At length he
looked up indolently, listlessly.
and the switch. snapped. She
crossed the room and sat down;
Mr. Grimm sat beside her.
..s"I think" Miss Thorne suggest
ed tentatively. "that accounts per-
fectly for Monsieur Boissegur's
disappearance"
NJ ut gives one explanation, at
least" Mr.. Grimm assented mus
ingly. ''Kidnaped-heId prisoner
fifty thousand dollars demanded
for his safety and release" A
pause. And to whom, may |
ask. was this demand addressed 2"
ITO Madame Boissegur," replied
Miss Thorne. 81 have the enyel-
ppe in which 1t came. 1t was mall
ed at the general postoffice at
half-past one o'clock this after
noon. so the cancellng STAMP
shows, and the envelope was ad.
dressed, as the letter was written.
on a typewriter"
And how" inquired Mr..
Grimm, after a long pause, chow
did It come into your possession ?''
He waited little. why didn't
Monsieur Rigolot report this de-