Rocky Ford enterprise. (Rocky Ford, Colo.) 1887-1950, 1911-12-22


dropped beside him.
mo-" he said.
You must-you must" she urged
gently. II know what 1t means to
you. You feel 1t your duty to unravel
the secret of the percussion CAPT You
can't; no man can. No one knows
the inventor more Intimately than !.
and even I couldn't get It from him.
There are no plans for 1t in existence,
and even II there were he would no
more sell them than you would have
accepted a fortune at the hands OF
Prince d'Abruzxi to remain silent. The
compact has failed: you did that. The
agents have scattered-gone to other
duties. That is enough"
NO." said Mr.. Grimm. There was
a strange fear tearing at his heart
mo one knows the inventor more In
timately that l." NO" he said again
Il won from my government prom
Il must fulfill that condition"
Wont you go If you know you will
be killed." and suddenly her face turn
ed scarlet. land that your life is dear
to me?"
NO"
Isabel dropped upon her knees be-
fore him.
This inventor-this man whom you
insist on seeing-is half insane with
disappointment and anger" she rush
ed on desperately. Remember that
vast fortune, honor. fame were at
his finger tips when you-you placed
them beyond his reach by the destruc-
ton OF the compact. He has sworn to
kill you"
II can't go!"
"If tell you that of the two hui
man beings in this world whom love
this man is one?"
NO"
A shuffiing step sounded in the hall
way Just outside. Mr.. Grimm stepped
back from the kneeling figure. and
turned to face the door with his re-
volver ready.
Great Cod" 1t was a scream OF
agony. He is my brother! Don't
you sect"
She came to her feet and went stag
gering across to the door. The key
clicked in the lock.
Your brother!"
HE wouldn't listen to me-you
wouldn't listen to me, and now-and
now. God have mercy!"
There was a sharp rafting. clam
or at the door. and Isabel turned to
Mr.. Grimm mutely, with arms out
stretched. The revolver barrel clicked
under his hand, then, after a moment.
he replaced the weapon In his pocket.
Please open the door," he request
ed quietly.
He'll kill you'll" she screamed.
Exhausted. helpless. she leaned
against a chair with her face in her
hands. Mr.. Grimm went to her sud-
denly, tore the hands from her face.
and met the tear-stained eyes.
II love you." he said. Il want you
to know that"
And love you-that's why 1t mat
tiers So"
Leaving her there. Mr.. Grimm
strobe straight to the door and threw
1t open. He saw only the outline of
thin little man of indeterminate age.
then came a binding flash under his
eyes, and he leaped forward. There
was short, sharp struggle. and both
went down. The revolver! He must
get that, He reached for It with the
one. idea of disarming this mailman.
The muzzle was thrust toward him.
he threw up his arm to protect his
head, and then came n second flash
Instantly he felt the figure in his
arms grow limp; and after a moment
he rose The face of the man on the
floor was pearly gray; and a thin.
scarlet thread flowed from his temple.
He turned toward Isabel. She lay
near the chair. little crumpled heap.
In stride he was beside her, and
lifted her head to his knee. The blue
gray eyes opened into his once. then
they closed. She had tainted. The
first bullet had pierced her arm; 1t
was only flesh wound. He lifted her
gently and placed her on a couch. aft
err which he disappeared into another
room. In a little while there came
the cheerful ting-a-ling of telephone
bell.
rs this the county constable's Of
fice?" he inquired We'll, there's
been a little shooting accident at the
Murdoch Williams place, five miles
out from Alexandria on the old Balti-
more Road. Please send some Of
your men over to take charge. Two
hours from now call up Mr.. Grimm at
Secret Service headquarters in Wash
ington and he will explain. Good-by."
And few minutes later Mr.. Grimm
walked along the road toward an au-
tomobile hundred yards away. bear
ing Miss Thorne in his arms. The
chauffeur cranked the machine and
climbed to his seat.
Washington" directed Mr. Grimm.
Never mind the speed laws