Rocky Ford enterprise. (Rocky Ford, Colo.) 1887-1950, 1911-09-08
CHAPTER VII.
Tho Signal.

mo oi8Hdf.
"And the original question remains
unanswered" remarked Mr.. Campbell.
"The original question:" repeated
Mr. Grimm.
where ia Prince Benedetto d'Abruz-
ri. the secret envoy?" his chief re-
minded him.
"I wonder!" unused the young man
"If the Latin compact is signed in
the United States"
1.-THE Latin compact will not be
signed in the United States Mr..
Grimm interrupted. And then. after
a moment: Have we received any
further reports on Miss Thorne?
mean reports from our foreign
agents7'
The chief shook his head.
Inevitably, by some act or word.
she will lead us to the prince" de-
clared Mr.. Grimm, and the moment
he is known to us everything be-
comes plain sailing. We know she is
a secret agent expected a denial,
but she was quite frank about 1t. And
had no intention whatever of placing
her under arrest / knew some one
was in the adjoining room because OF
a slight noise In there. and I knew
she knew it. She raised her voice
little, obviously for the benefit OF
whoever was there. From that point
everything said and did was to COM
pei that person, whoever 1t was, to
ahow himself"
His chief nodded. understandingly.
Mr.. Grimm was silent for little. then
went on:
The last possibility in my mind at
that moment" he confessed, was that
the person In there was the man who
shot Senior Alvarez. Frankly l han
half an idea that-that 1t might be the
prince in person" Suddenly his mood
changed: And now our lady OF mys-
terry may come and go as she likes be-
cause I know, even II a dozen Of our
men have ransacked Washington In
vain for the prince, she will Inevitably
lead us to him. And that reminds me:
/ should like to borrow Blair. and
Hastings, and johnson. Please plant
them so they may keep constant
watch on Miss Thorne. Let them re
port to you, and, wherever am. l Will
reach you over the phone"
by the way, what was in that seal
ed packet that was taken from Senior
Alvarez?" Campbell inquired curiously.
ut had something to do with some
railroad franchises" responded MT.
Grimm as he rose. II sealed IT again
and returned II to the senior. Evident
" It was not what Signor Petrozinni
expected to find-in fact, he admitted
It wasn't what he was looking for"
For a little while the two men sazed
thoughtfully, each into the eyes OF the
other, then Mr.. Grimm entered his
private office where he sat for an hour
with his Immaculate boots on his
desk. thinking. A worldwar-he had
been thrust forward by his govern
ment to prevent it-subtle blue-gray
eyes-his Highness, Prince Benedetto
d'Abruzzi-a haunting smile and scar
let lips.
At about the moment he rose to go
out, Miss Thorne. closely yelled. left
the Venezuelan legation and walked
rapidly down the street to a corner,
where, without a word, she entered
waiting automobile. The wheels spun
and the car leaped forward. For
mile or more 1t wound aimlessly in
and out, occasionally bisecting It's own
path; finally Miss Thorne leaned for
ward and touched the chauffeur on the
arm.
''Nowi" she said.
The car Strengthened out into
street of stately residences and scut-
tied along until the placid bosom of
the Potomac came into view; besides
that for a few minutes, then over the
bridge to the Virginia side, In the
dilapidated little city of Alexandria
The car did not slacken its speed but
wound in and out through dingy
streets, past tumble-down negro huts,
for half an hour before 1t came to a
standstill in front Of an old brick
mansion.