The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-03-09
CASH OR CREDIT

Mr.. Fitzgerald's wonder grew and
grew
but he doesn't want to he a secre-
tary He doesn't know anything about
the work. And l haven't got the time
to teach him. even If he wanted the
place.
Father" began the girl. fun leav-
ing her eyes and her lips becoming
grave, II do not like the noises at
night. | have not suggested the
police. because robbery is not the
motive"
Laura. that's all tommyrot. This
is an old house. and the wood always
creaks with a change of temperature.
But this doesn't seem TO touch Mr..
Fitzgerald"
The girl shrugged.
Well, I'm glad | told that Ger
man chap not to leave till he heard
again from me. III hire him. He
looks like a man who wouldn't let
noises worry him. You will find your
noises are entirely those Of magma
ton"
Have it that way" she agreed
patiently.
but here's Mr.. Fitzgerald still."
said the admiral pointedly.
Not long ago you said TO me that
| II ever ] saw the son of David Fitz-
gerald to bring him home. Till yes
terday / never saw him: only then
because Mrs. Coldfield pointed him
out and wondered what he was doing
with q tray of statuettes around his
| neck. AS / could not invite him to
come home with me, / did the next
best thing; | invited him to call on
| me. | was told that he was fond of
/ adventures, so | gave the invitation
| as much color as | could. DO l stand
pardoned p
Indeed you do" cried Fitzgerald.
So this WAS the killgrew his father
had known?
David Fitzgerald, your father?
| That makes all the difference in the
world fhe admiral thrust out n
hand. Your father wasn't a good
business man. nor was he in the navy.
but he could draw charts Of the AT
! lantic coast with his eyes shut Laura,
you get the whisky and sugar and
| hot water. You haven't brought me
secretary. but YOU have brought under
my roof the son of an old friend"
She laughed. 1t was rich and
tree-toned laughter. good for any man
tn bear AS she We1tp'te- prepare fiie
/ toddy, the music echoed again through
the hall.
Sometimes | wake up in the morn
ing with new gray hair" sighed the
admiral. What would you do with
a girl like that
I'd hang on to her as long AS
could" earnestly
Il shall" grlmly. "Your father and
were old friends. There wasn't Il
yacht on these waters that could him
her heels. not ven my own. You
yachtsman' Why. il ought to be in
the blood
oh, ] can handle small craft. but
i don't know much about the engine
'roonse What time does the next
train return to New York"
For you there's be no train under
a week. You're going to stay here,
since you've been the victim of a
hoax
'Isisabuse your mind there. sir.
don't know when I've enjoyed any
thing 80 thoroughly"
But youll stay? oh. yes" as
Fitzgerald shook his head. The secre-
tary can do the work here while YOU
ana can take care of the rats in the
hold. Laura's just imagining things,
but Well humor her II there's any
trouble with the chimney. why. we'll
get a. bricklayer and pull it down"
Miss kflligrew may have some real
cause Tor alarm. | saw man, or
A~N'S'' hSd{u MIN, running, as i
came up the road from the gates l
called to him but he did not answer
Is that so? Wasn't the porter at
the gates when you came in."
NO. The footpath was free"
Ihis begins to look serious Ii
Inc porter isn't there the gate bell
rings. l can open 1t myself by wire.
never bother about II at night, I'M
less ] am expecting some one. But
in the daytime ! can see from here
wh@ther or not l wish to open the
gGte. man running in the park,
eh? Little good il will do him. The
Rouse Is a network OF burglar
alarms"
Wires can be cut and quickly re-
paired"
but this is no house to rob. All
my valuabies, excepting these books.
are In New York. The average burg
Iar isn't of literary turn of nina.
SIN, IT Laura has really heard some
thing. all the more reason why you
should make us visit. Wait q mo-
ment, I've an idea The admiral
set the burglar alarm and tried it,
me expression on his face was blank. !
Am i getting deafer?"
quickly
by cracky. II Laura L., right, But |
sses "a word to her. mind. When she !
goes upstairs We'll take a trip into |
The cellar and have a look at the !
main wire. You've got to stay; that's /
all there Is about 1t. This Ii serious. /
hadn't tested the wires In "A week. /
ferhaps It's only fuse"