The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1911-06-29
CHAPTER VI.
Revelations.

OOht Ndbuti
darkened Miss Thorne's clear, blue
gray eyes. In sharp contrast to the
glow of radiant health In her cheeks
as she stepped from the automobile IN
front of the Venezuelan legation, and
ran lightly up the steps. A liveried
servant opened the door.
"A gentleman is waiting for you,
madam" he announced His card Is
here on the"
81 was expecting him." she inter.
rupted which room, please?"
"The blue room, madam"
Miss Thorne passed along the hall.
way which led to a suit of small draw.
ing-rooms opening on a garden In the
rear, pushed aside the portieres, and
entered.
I'm sorry I've kept YOU" she be-
gan, and then, in a tone of surprise:
81 beg your pardon"
A gentleman rose and bowed
Uavely.
81 am Mr.. Grimm Of the secret serv.
iceE he informed her with frank
courtesy. II am afraid you we're ex.
pecting some one else! | handed my
card to the footman."
For an instant the blue-gray eyes
opened wide in astonishment and then
some quick, subtle change swept over
Miss Thorne's face. She smiled gra.
ciously and motloned him to a seat.
This Is quite different meeting
from the one Senorita Rodriguez had
planned. isn't it," she asked.
There was taunting curve on her
scarlet lips; the shadow passed from
her eyes; her slim, white hands lay
idly In her lap. Mr.. Grimm regarded
her rehectively. There was a determ.
ination of steel back of this charming
exterior; there was an indomitable
Will, keen brain, and all of won.
ans intuition to reckon with. She
was silent, with a questioning upward
slant of her arched brows.
Il am not mistaken in assuming that
you are secret agent of the Italian
government, am II" he queried finally.
NO she responded readily.
In that event may speak with per.
feet frankness?' he went on. 1T
would be as useless as II would be
absurd to approach the matter In any
other manner" It was a question.
Miss Thorne was still smiling, but
again the vague. indefinable shadow.
momentarily lifted. darkened her eyes.
You may be frank. of course" she
said pleasantly. please go on"
"Senor Alvarez was shot at the
German embassy ball last night" Mr..
Grimm told her.
Miss Thorne nodded as II In won.
der
Did you. or did you not, shoot
hlm?"
1t was quite casual. She received
the question without change of coun.
tehance, but involuntarily she caught
her breath. 1t might have been a sigh
of relief.
why do you come to me with such
query?' she asked in turn.
l beg your pardon" interposed Mr..
Grimm, steadily. did you. or did YOU
not, shoot him?"f
NO, OF course | didn't shoot him"
was the reply II there was any emo.
uoh In the tone 1t was merely impa.
uehce' why do you come to me?"
she repeated.
why do | come to your" Mr.. Grimm
echoed the question. while his listless
eyes rested on her face. 81 will be
absolutely frank, as | feel sure YOU
would be under the same circum.
stances He paused moment: she
nouded Well, Immediately after the
snootlhg you ran along the hallway
win revolver in your hand; you ran
uo"h the steps into the kitchen. and
out through the back door, where you
entered an automobile. That is not
conjecture; 1t is susceptible of proof
Oy eye witnesses"
MISS Ihorne rose suddenly with q
queer helpless little gesture of her
arms, and walked to the window. She
stood there for long tirae pRh her
nands clasped behiSd her Ssok.
Ihat brings us io asotAer ouss.
uoh' Mr. Grimm continued merciiess
~ III you did not shoos Senior AL.
'arez, do you know who dldrN
mere was another long pause.
~ l want to believe you, Miss
lnorne' he supplemented.
She turned quickly with something
Vi uenance In her attitude.
res know" she said slowly. 1T
we're useless to deny IT,"
Who was it?"
won't tell you"
Mr. Grimm leaned forward in his
'ualr' and spoke earnestly.
Understand, please, that by that
answer you assume equal guilt with
e person who actually did the
suootlng," he explained "If you ad.
neIe TO 1t you compel me to regard
.ou as an accomplice." His question.
s look different line. "Will you ex.
p'ain p now the revolver came into your
Possession"
On, II picked II up in the hall.
way there" she replied vaguely.
~, want to believe you, Miss
"orhe' ",r' Mr. Grimm said again.
iou may picked It up in the
,.aiway' she repeated 81 saw It ly.
Ns there and picked II IN"