The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1911-03-22

had satisfied the suspicious of Poritol
and Alcatrante and the stranger had
retired to their corner. he twisted his
head back and examined the wood
above him.
The table had a drawer. From the
room outside this drawer was con.
cealed by the cloth cover. and Orme
had not suspected its existence.
Now, the table was cheaply made.
The drawer was shallow and narrow.
and 1t was held in position. under the
table. by an open framework of wood.
When it was pushed in, it was stopped
at the right place by two cleats; there
was no solid strip to prevent its being
pushed In too far.
Orme put his hand to the back of the
drawer There was a space between
it and the tabletop.
Cautiously he pushed his hand
through the opening. His fingers
touched fiat object-a pad Of paper.
or-the thought made his heart beat
a large. thick envelope. Could Arima
have used the drawer as q hiding
place?
Slowly he got the edge of the object
between his first and second fingers
and drew it little way toward the
back OF the drawer. A moment later
! he had it under his eyes.
Yes, 1t was long envelope of heavy
linen. and there were bulky papers
within. The gummed flap was toward
him. He was interested to note that,
important though the documents
seemed to be. the envelope was not
sealed with wax.
He remembered what the girl had
said: her fathers name was written on
the address side. He had only to turn
it over to learn who she was. In the
circumstances such an act might be
justified. But she had not wished him
to know-and he would even now re-
spect her wish and keep his own prom
Use to her first.
His first thought was to slip the en-
yelope into his pocket. but it occurred
contain the documents concerning
which Alcatrante and the stranger
were disputing, 1t would be sought and
missed long before he could escape
from the room. So. taking a pencil
from his pocket. he inserted it under
the corner of the flap and slowly
worked the flap free. The strength OF
the linen prevented any tearing.
He removed the contents of the en-
velope-two folded sheets of parch-
ment paper. held together by an elastic
band-and thrust them into the inside
pocket of his coat. All this was done
swiftly and noiselessly.
1t now remained to find something to
take the place of the distracted docu-
ments. In his pocket were some print
ed prospectuses of the mine which he
had come to Chicago to investigate.
In shape and thickness they were not
dissimilar to the documents which he
had taken. He slipped the prospectuses
into the envelope and, wetting his
finger. rubbed it along the gummed
surface of the flap. Enough glue re-
manned to make the flap adhere. after
a little pressure. The job was by no
means perfect, but 1t was not likely to
be detected.
At that moment Alcatrante raised
his voice and said. still in French:
You are sure. then. that this will not
delay the game. but end it,"
Quite sG-e." said the Japanese.
Unless the documents are signed be-
fore midnight tonight nothing can be
done for some time. We have the
Germans fixed. They will do what
they have thus far agreed to do. but II
any technical hitch arises, such as a
failure to sign within the time limit.
they will decline to renew negotia-
lions. That was all We could get from
them. but it is enough-now."
And for other ships" said Alca-
trante. the commission shall be five
hundred thousand"
Five hundred thousand. Seven hun
dred and fifty was too much"
Five hundred thousand in gold"
In gold"
Orme slipped the envelope back into
the drawer and put his eye to the hole
in the cover. His position was now
more critical. for to open the drawer
and get the envelope Arima would
lave TO lift the table cover.