Rocky Ford enterprise., 1911-09-01
CHAPTER VI.
Revelations.

Some vague indeinablo shadow
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 tho"
"I 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 garden in the
rear, pushed aside the portieres, and
entered.
I'm sorry I've kept you" she be-
gan, and then. in tone of surprise:
-I beg your pardon"
A gentleman rose and bowed
gravely.
~I am Mr.. Grimm Of the secret serv-
ace," he informed her with frank
courtesy. II am afraid you were eI-
pecting some one else! I handed my
card to the footman.'
For an instant the bluegray eyes
opened wide in establishment, and then
some quick. subtle change swept over
Miss Thorne's face. She smiled gra-
ciously and motioned him to a seat.
This is quite different meeting
from the one Senorita Rodriguez had
planned. isn't itf" she asked.
There was q 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 reheotively. There was 4 detsrm-
1nation OF steel back of this charming
exterior; there was an indomitable
will, keen brain, and all of a wom-
ans intuition to reckon with. She
was silent, with a questioning upward
slant of her arched brows.
II am not mistaken in assuming that
you are a secret agent of the Italian
government, am II" he oueried finally.
No" she responded readily.
In that event may speak with per-
1ect frankness?" he went on "It
would be AZ useless as It would be
absurd to approach the matter in any
other mannerr It was question.
Miss Thorne was still smiling. but
again the vague. indennable 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.
y Miss Thorne nodded. as II in won
der
Did you. or did you not. shoot
him7"
It was quite casual She received
the question without change OF coun-
tenance. but involuntarily she caught
her breath. II might have been a sigh
of relief.
why do you come to me with such
. Query?" she asked in turn.
II beg your pardon" interposed Mr..
Grimm, steadily. did you. or did you
not shoot him?"
No. OF course didn't Ehoot him."
was the reply. II there was any emo
ton in the tone It was merely impa-
tience. Why do you come to me7"
she repeated.
why do come to your" Mr.. Grimm
echoed the question. while his listless
eyes rested on her face. Il will be
absolutely frank. as / feel sure you
would be under the same circum-
stances" He paused a moment; she
nodded. We'll. Immediately after the
shooting you ran along the hallway
with a revolver in your hand: you ran
down the steps into the kitchen, and
out through the back door. where you
entered an automobile. That is not
conjecture; It IL susceptible OF proof
by eye Witnesses"
Miss Thorne rose suddenly with
queer. helpless little gesture of her
arms. and walked to the window. She
stood thers for q long time with her
hands nisAped behind her back.
THAT brings us to another Ques-
don" NJ. Grimm continued msrc1less-