The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1911-05-03

nothing serious" he said. They have
done me no real harm. But the young
lady and I shall be obliged to you.
II you will keep these japanese here
until We can get away. They attacked
us. but l don't wish to make q COM
plant against them"
The policeman showed new interest.
He glanced at Arima- "Japanese! he
exclaimed. There was one slugged
ON the campus last night. l guess
you'll have to come along with me-"
NONSENSE" protested Orme. Just
because somebody hit japanese over
the head last night"
"Ah. you know about that. do you?
No''-as Orme made a movement
stand where you are" He drew his
revolver.
During this col!oQuy. Arima had
edged nearer and nearer to the papers.
Orme's sudden step was involuntary;
| it was due to the fact that he had seen
Arima stoop swiftly and pick up the
papers and thrust them into his
pocket.
Keep quiet" continued the police
man. And you. there"-he nodded
toward Arima-"come here"
Arima hesitated. but the muzzle OF
the revolver turned toward him. and
he came and stood few feet away.
There's somethin' mighty funny
about this" continued the policeman
We'll just get into one Of these cars
and 60 to the station"
This man and me-" asked Orme.
He had visions Of no great difficulty
in satisfying the questions of the local
justice, but he knew that an arrest
would mean delay. perheps OF hours
And Arima had the papers.
Il mean that man. and you. and the
woman. Ill send some one for the
others. II you're the fellow that did
the sluggin' on the campus last night
you won't get away from me again"
What's the use Of dragging the
young lady into this?" demanded
Orme.
None O. your business"
Can speak to her a minute. first!
NO, you can't There's been toe
many Chicago hold-up men around
here lately. and l won't take chances
with YOU" The policeman made this
explanation apparently in Difference
to Orme's appearance. which,. in spite
of the evidence of struggle. was thai
Of a gentleman. Looks don't always
tell" he continued.
That the girl should be taken to the
station and held. under such suspicious
circumstances was simply not to be
thought of.
Doubtless she could quickly set n
motion forces that would liberate her
but the disgrace OF detention was
something she must be saved from al
any cost.
She was known In Evanston. Hel
identity once established. the story o.
her arrest would be sure to spread
Her position would then be the more
painful, because the circumstances o.
the case were such that she was un
willing to explain them.
Moreover, Orme realized that. II hi
and Arima were held. the care Of thu
girl would be his first thought, and
the recovery Of the papers would b
forced into second place. That would
not be according TO her wish. As
suredly. if he was to get the papers
he could do better alone.
She sat in the car. not more thar
six feet from him. her face the picture
of mingled emotions. Orme saw tha
he must reassure her as to himself
before he carried out the plan which
had suddenly come to his mind.
You will make a mistake. officer
if you detain me-" he said. speaking
distinctly. so that the girl would be
sure to hear.
Cut it out" said the policeman.
"A little telephonin3 will set me
free in an hour" Orme continued
bending to pick up his hat. which had
fallen to the ground at the beginning
of the fight. You can't do anything
except take me to the station and fine
out that you have bungled."
That's my affair."" said the police
man. But here. we've done enough
tslkin'." He waved his revolver in 9
gesture which indicated that they
were to enter the car.
Now, Orme knew that the girl had
not seen him throw the papers to the
road. Neither had she seen Arims
pick them up. Whatever guess she
had made az to his disposal Of them
there was no reason for her to doub
that he had again got them into hi:
possession. during some stage Of thu
struggle.
He looked at her earnestly and sig
nificantly. then smiled slightly in thu
thought Of reassuring her.
When he was certain that she wal
watching his every move. he glanced
at the car. then up the road to tn,
north. Then. with such quicknes!
that the policeman had no time to pre-
vent, he snatched from the innel
pocket of his coat the envelope con
tanning the blank contract which ha.
first disappointed Arima. and tosset
II into the tonneau.
"Go!" he shouted.
Like a shot, she sent the car for
ward. It disappeared swiftly into tn,
night.
Thus far. Orme was satisfied. Ha hat
got the girl safely away. She though
that he had thrown the papers int,
the car. and when she came to exam
inc them she would be disappointed