The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1911-04-26

father could have realized what dan
gers the girl was encountering. But.
as if divining his sudden anger against
the man who could let his daughter
! run such risks, she added: He doesn't
know. of course. the details of our ad-
ventures. I have permitted him to
think that 1t Is simply a matter OF
searching"
And now he Is reassured?"
yes. Oh. you have no idea yet how
important it is"
You were long time in the booth"
he said
A mysterious smile filtered across
her face Il thought of another person
| wished to talk to. That person was
hard to get"
Long distance?"
1T proved necessary to use long dis
| lance"
Then she caught glimpse Of the fig
ure across the street. There's Mr.. Al
catrante," she exclaimed.
Yes. l have Just had a talk with
him.
Her lace showed concern
Don't let him worry you. dear" he
added. He will try to balk us. We
must expect that. But l think I can
take care of him"
Il believe it," she said. softly.
He wondered whether she could
guess how relentlessly he was plan
ming to deal with Alcatrante Would
she justify the course he had in mind?
As to her attitude, he felt doubtful.
Perhaps she did not agree with the
South American that murder was
sometimes necessary in the service of
ones country
Moreover. while Alcatrante was un-
dOubtedly serving the interest OF his
country. Orme had no real certainty
| that he himself was in a similar posi-
| ton. He had every reason to infer
that the papers were OF Importance to
the United States government, but
after all he could only 60 by inference.
The affairs of some private corporation
in the United States might have seri-
GUS bearing on problems in South
America and the far east. He decided
to sound the girl for Information that
| would be more definite.
But first the question as to their
next move must be answered.
do you know where We can get
motor" he said
"No'-she prolonged the word doubt
fully. We may have to take a motor
cab"
1T would be safer than the railroad
or the electric line" Then he asked
with great seriousness: Girl. dear. l
don't know much about the meaning
and value of these papers in my peck
ct, and l don't care to know any more
than you choose to tell me. But let me
know just this much: Are they as i'm
portant to you as they are to our enc
mics? Have you really been justified
in the risks you have rum"
"You have seen how far Alcatrante
and the Japanese have been willing to
CO." she replied. gravely. Il am sure
that they would not hesitate to kill us.
| If it seemed necessary to them in their
effort to get possession Of the papers.
Now. my dear. they are even much
more important to my father"
In his business interests"
Much more than that"
They were walking along the glim-
mering canyon of La Sale street.
which was now almost deserted in the
dusk. A motor car swept slowly
around the corner ahead and came
toward them. 1t had but one occu-
pant. a chauffeur. apparently. He wore
a dust-coat. a cap. and goggles which
seemed to be too large for him.
Regardless of AIcatrante. who was
following them. Orme hailed the chau-
feur viii you take a fare?" he
called.
The man stopped his car and, after
a moment of what Orme Interpreted as
indecision. nodded slowly.
How much by the hour!" asked
Orme.
The chauffeur held up the ten fin
gers of his two hands.
Orme looked at the girl. He hadn't
that much money with him.
If only had time to cash a check"
he said.
All right" she whispered. Il have
plenty"
They got into the tonneau, and the
girl. leaning forward. said: Take the
Lake Shore drive and Sheridan road to
Evanston"
Again the chauffeur nodded. without
turning toward them.
He doesn't waste many words"
whispered the girl TO Orme.
While the car vas turning Orme
noted that Alcatrantc had stopped
short and was watching tIem. 1t was
some reason for surprise that he was
not hunting for a motor in which to
follow
Perhaps his plans were so complete
ly baked that he was giving up alto
gether. No. that would not be like Al
catrante. Orme now realized that in
all likelihood the minister had fore
seen some such circumstance and had
made plans accordingly.
| He was more and more inclined to
believe that Alcatrante had but half
expected TO keep him long imprisoned
in Wallinghams office. Then what
had been the purpose underlying the
trick? Probably the intention vas to
make Orrle prisoner for as long a peri