The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1911-11-24

| stopped and fought back her emotions,
then went on: But you must NOT
come in; you must go away at once.
Your-your life is in danger here"
How did you know was coming r.
inquired Mr. Grimm.
From the moment Mr.. Howard tel
| ephoncd." she replied, still hastily,
still in the mysterious half whisper.
Il knew that it could only be some
one from your bureau, and hoped
that it was you saw how you
forced him to call eus up here, and
that was all you needed. It was sim.
pie. of course, to trace the telephols
call" Both of her hands closed over
one of his desperately. Now, go.
please. The Latin compact is at an
end; you merely invite death here.
Now, got"
Her eyes were searching the list.
less face with entreaty in them; the
Slender fingers were iercely gripping
one of Mr.. Grimm's nerveless hands.
For an instant some strange, soften.
ing light flickered in the young mans
eyes. then it passed,
Il have no choice, Miss Thorne," he
said gravely at last. 81 am honor
bound by my government to do one
of two things. If fall in the first Of
those-the greater--it can only be
because
He stopped; hope famed up in her
eyes and she leaned forward eagerly
studying the impassive face.
Because" she repeated.
1T can only be because / am kill
ed" he added quietly. Suddenly his
whole manner changed. "T should like
to see the-the INVENTOR"
But don't you see-dont you see
you will be killed if-?" she began
tensely.
May | see the inventor, please?"
Mr.. Grimm interrupted.
For little time she stood, white
and rigid, staring at him. Then her
lids futtered down YEARLY, as If to
veil some crushing agony within her.
and she stepped aside. Mr. Grimm
entered and the door closed noiseless-
ly behind him. After moment her
hand rested lightly on his arm, and
he was led into room to his left.
This door, too, she closed, immediate.
ly turning to face him.
we may talk here a few minutes
without interruption" she said in a
low tone. Her voice was quite calm
now. IF you will be-"
| please understand, Miss Thorne,"
he interposed mercilessly, "that ]
must see the inventor, whoever he is.
What assurance have l that this is
not some ruse to permit him to es.
cape?"
You have my word of honor" she
said quite simply.
Please go on" He sat down
"You will see him too soon, fear
she continued slowly IF you had not
come to- him he would have gone 70
you." She swayed a little and pressed
one hand to her eyes II would to
God 1t were in my power to prevent
that meeting!" she exclaimed desper.
ately Then, with an effort: There
are some things want to explain to
you. It may be that you will be will
ing to go then of your own free will.
II ! lay bare to you every step have
taken since / have been in Washing
ton; if make clear to you every OBJ
scure point in this hideous intrigue:
If confess to you that the Latin COM
pact has been given up for all time,
won't that be enough? Won't you go
them"
Mr.. Grimm's teeth closed with a
snap.
Il won't want that-from you," he
declared.
"But if should tell it all to your
she pleaded.
Il won't listen, Miss Thorne You
once paid me the compliment of say
ing that I was one man you knew in
whom you had never been disappoint-
ed" The listless eyes were blazing
into her own now. 81 have never
been disappointed in you. l will not
permit you to disappoint me now. The
tsecrets of your government are mine
If can get them-but won't allow
you to tell them to me-"
MY government" Miss Thorne re-
peated, and her lips curled sadly. Il
~ nave no government. / have been
cast OF by that government, stripped
Of my rank. and branded as trail
tori"
"Traitor!" Mr.. Grimm's lips formed
the word silently.
Il failed. don't you sect" she rushed
on. "Ignominy is the reward of fail
ure. Prince d'Abruzzi went on to
New York that night, cabled full
account of the destruction of the com.
pact to my government, and sailed
home on the following day. l was the
responsible one, and now it all comes
back on me-" For moment she was
silent. ITS so singular. Mr.. Grimm.
The fight from the first was between
us-we two; and you won"
(TO BE CONTINUED)
4SySSSSSzEZ. SGYSe IoET\A