The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1911-12-09
CHAPTER xIII-(contInued.)

you knew 1 was here" repeated
Mr. Grimm musingly. And may IT"
Just as you knew that I, or some
one, at least, had entered this house
few minutes ago." she interrupted.
1.-The automobile horn outside was a
signal, wasn't 1t? Hastings was in the
car? Or was it Blair or Johnson?"
Mr. Grimm did not say.
Didn't you anticipate any person
al danger when you entered?" he
queried instead. Weren't you afraid
I might shoot?'
No"
There was a long silence. Mr..
Grimm still sat with his elbows on his
knees, staring at the vague white
spotch which was Miss Thorne's face
and bare neck. One of her white arms
hung at her side like a pallid serpent,
and her hand was at rest on the seat
of the couch
1T seems, Miss Thorne," he said
at length casually, that our paths Of
duty are inextricably tangled Twice
previously we have met under cir
cumstances that were more than
strange, and now-thisi Whatever in
justice I may have done you in the
past by my suspicious has, 1 hope,
been forgiven; and in each instance
we were able to work side by side to-
ward a conclusion. 1 am wondering
now If this singular affair will take
a similar course"
He paused. Miss Thorne started to
speak, but he sflenced her with a
slight gesture of his hand.
TT is only fair to you to say that
we-that is, the Secret SerVice-have
learned many things about you" he
resumed in the same casual tone. I'VE
have, through our foreign agents,
traced you step by step from Rome
to Washington. We know that you
are, in a way, a representative Of a
sovereign of Europe: we know that
you were on secret mission to the
Spanish court, perhaps for this soVer-
eign, and remained in Madrid for a
month; we know that from there you
went to Paris, also on a secret mis-
sion-perhaps the same-and re-
NAMED there for three weeks; we know
that you met diplomatic agents of
those governments later in London
We know all this; we know the man
ner of your coming to this country;
Of your coming to Washington. But
we don't know why you are here"
Again she started to speak, and
again he stopped her.
I'VE don't know your name, but that
Is Of no consequence. We do know
that in Spain you were Sonora Cas-
savant, in Paris MademoiselIe d'Aubi-
non, in London Miss Jane kellogg,
and here Miss Isabel Thorne. We re-
alize that exigencies arise in your call
ing, and mine, which make changes of
name desirable necessary even, and
there Is no criticism Of that. Now as
the representative Of your govern
ment-rather a government-you have
a right to be here, although unaccred-
tied; you have right to remain here
as long as your acts are consistent
with our laws; you have a right to
your secrets as long as they do not,
directly or Indirectly, threaten the
welfare of this country. Now, why
are you here?"
He received no answer; he expected
none. After a moment he went on:
Admitting that you are a secret
agent of Italy, admitting everything
that you claim to be, you haven't con-
WINGED me that you are not the person
who came here for the letters and
cigarettes. You have said nothing to
prove to my satisfaction that you are
not the individual was waiting for to
night"
You don't mean that you sus-
pect-?" she began in a tone Of amaze
ment
I don't mean that I suspect any
thing" he interposed. 'T mean merely
that you haven't convinced me.
There's nothing inconsistent in the
fact that you are what you say you
are, and that in spite of that, you
came tonight for"
He was interrupted by a laugh, a
throaty, silvery note that he remem-
bered well. His idle hands closed
spasmodicaI1y, only to be instantly re-
Taxed.
Suppose, Mr.. Grimm, should tell
you that Immediately after Madame
Boissegur placed the matter in my
hands this afternoon, went straight
| to your Office to show this letter to
you and ask for your assistance?" she
inquired. Suppose that I left my
card for you with a clerk there On be
| ing informed that you were out-re-
member I knew you were on the case
from Madame Boissegur-would that
indicate anything except that want
ed to put the matter squarely before
you. and work with your"
I'VE will suppose that much" Mr.
| Grimm agreed.
That is a statement OF fact" Miss
Thorne added. MY card, which you
viii find at your Office, will show that
| And when left your office I went tc
the hotel where you live. with the