The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1911-10-19


stopped and fought back her emotions
then went on: But you must NOT
come In: you must 20 away at once
your-your life ia In danger here"
How did you know I was comingr
inquired Mr.. Grimm.
From the moment Mr.. Howard tel
ephoned." she replied. still hastily.
still In the mysterious half whisper.
Il knew that II could only be somc
one from your bureau. and hoped
that II was you. ! saw how you
forced him to call us up here, and
that was all you needed. II was sim.
pie. OF course. TO trace the telephone
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. gol"
Her eyes were searching fhe list.
less face with entreaty in them: the
slender fingers we're fercely gripping
one OF Mr.. Grimm's nerveless hands.
For an instant some strange. soften
ing light fiickered In the young mans
eyes. then II passed
Il have no choice. Miss Thorne." he
said gravely at last. II am honor
bound by my government 70 do one
OF two things. n I fail 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. Il should like
to see the-the inventor1'
But don't you see--don't you see
you will be killed if-?" she began
tensely.
May see the inventor. pieasef-
Mr.. Grimm interrupted.
For little time she stood. white
and r.gid. staring at him. Then her
lids fiuttered down YEARLY. as N Ia
veil some crushing agony within her.
and she stepped aside. Mr.. Grimm
entered and the door closed noiseless
ly behind him. After Q moment her
hand rested lightly on his arm. and
he was led into a room TO his left.
This door. too, she closed. immediate
ly turning to face him.
I'VE may talk here a few minutes
without interruption" she said in
low tone. Her voice was quite calm
now. IF you viii be-"
please understand. Miss Thorne."
he interposed mercilessiy. that ]
must see the inventor. whoever be 10
What assurance have I that this ID
not some ruse to permit him to es
capef"
you have my word o, honor she
said quite simply.
please go on" He sat down.
You will see him too soon. fenr.'
she continued slowly. IF you had rot
come to him he would have gone Il
you" She swayed little and pressed
one hand to her eyes Il would 6
God It were in my power TO preye,i
that meeting," she exclaimed desper
ately. Then, with an effort: There
are some things I want TO explain "a
you. II may be that you will be viii
ing to go then of your own free will
II lay bare to you every step have
taken since have been in Washing
ton: II ! make clear to you every oh
scure point in this hideous intrigue;
II confess to you that the Latin com
pact has been given up for all time
won't that be enough? Won't you &c
them"
Mr.. Grimm's teeth closed with
snap.
Il won't want that-from you" he
declared.
But II l should tell 1t all to your
she pleaded.
Il won't listen. Miss Thorne. You
once paid me the compliment of say
ing that was one man you knew in
whom you had never been disappoint'
cd" The listless eyes were blazing
INTO her own now. Il have never
been disappointed In you. | will not
permit you to disappoint me now. The
secrets Of your government are mine
II ! can get them-but | won't allow
you to tell them to me-"
MY government Miss Thorne rc
peated. and her lips curled sadly. Il
Il have no government. ! have been
cast OF by that government. stripped
of my rank. and branded as a trat
tori"
Traitor" Mr.. Grimms lips formed
the word sflently
Il failed. don't you see?" she rushed
on. "Ignominy is the reward OF fail
ure. Prince d'Abruzzi went on to
New York that night. cabied a full
account OF the destruction Of the com
pact to my government. and sailed
home on the following day. ! was the
responsible one. and now II all comes
back on me-" For moment she was
silent Its so singular. Mr.. Grimm
The fight from the first was betwoep
us-we two: and you won"
CTo BE CoNTfNUED)