The Columbus journal., 1911-02-15

'YeS?" she breathed.
and there were numerals-a num-
Der, then the letter M another num-
Der, followed by the letter e So
far north. SO far east, i read it
though l couldn't make out whether
the numbers stood for feet or PAGES
or miles,
Yes. yes" she whispered. Her
eyes were intent or his. They seemed
to will him to remember. What else
was there?"
odd letters, which meant nothing
to me. It's annoying. but / simply
can't recall them. Believe me. l
should like to-
Perhaps you will a little later"
she said. I'm sorry to be such a
bother to you"
Bother"
Put It does mean so much, tho
tracing of this bill
Shall We 60 to see Walsh?" he
asked.
Il suppose So" She sighed. Ap-
parently she was discouraged. But
even if he gives the information, it
may De too late. The japanese have
the directions"
But perhaps they will not be able
to make them out" he suggested.
She smiled. You don't know the
japanese" she said. "They are
abominably clever at such things. /
will venture that they are already
on their way to the hiding place."
But even If the papers are in the
pocket of one of them, 1t may be pos
sible to steal them back"
Hardly" She arose. Il fear that
the one chance is the mere POSSIBLE
ity that Maku couldn't read the direc-
tons. Then. if Walsh will speak
out
Now. let me say something" he
said. My name is Robert Orme.
Apparently we have common friends
in the Wailinghams. When l first
saw you this afternoon, l felt that l
might have a right to your acquaint-
ance-a social right, if you like;
1
He held out his hand She took it
frankly. and the friendly pressure of
her fine. firm palm sent the blood
tingling through him.
Il am sorry" she said, that l can't
give you my name. 1t would be I'M
fair just now-unfair to others; for
if you knew who l am, 1t might give
you a clue to the secret guard"
Some day. l hope, may know"
he said gravely. But your present
wish is my law. It is good of you to
let me try to help you"
At the same instant they became
conscious that their hands were still
clasped. The girl blushed. and gently
drew hers away.
Il shall call you Girl" Orme added.
"a name l like" she said. My ia
Their uses it. Oh, If l only knew what
that burglar wrote on the bill"
Orme started. What a fool he had
been! Here he was, trying to help
the girl, forcing her to the long, tired
recital OF her story, when all the
time he held her secret in the table
in his sitting-roOm. For there was
still the paper on which he had copied
the abbreviated directions.
Wait here" he said sharply, and
without answering the look Of sur
prise on her face, hurried from the
room and to the elevator A few
moments later he was back. the sheet
of paper In his hand.
Il can't forgive my own stupidity"
he said. While l was puzzling over
the bill this evening l copied the
secret on a sheet of paper. When
Poritol came put 1t away in a drawer
and forgot all about it But here 1t
is" He laid the paper on the little.
useless onyx table that stood beside
her chair.
She snatched it quickly and began
to examine 1t closely.
Perhaps you can imagine how
those letters puzzled me-" he volun-
teered.
Hush" she exclaimed: and then:
"Oh, this is plain. You wouldn't
know, Of course. but see it clearly
There is no time to lose"
You are going to follow this clue
now-tonight?"
"Maku will read 1t on the bill, and
oh. these Japanese! If you have
one in your kitchen, you never know
whether he's jinriksha man. a col
lege student, or a vice-admiral."
You will let me go with you?"
Orme was trembling for the answer
He was still in the dark. and did not
know how far she would feel that
she could accept his aid.
Il may need you. Mr.. Orme." she
said simply.
1t pleased him that she brought up
no question of possible Inconvenience
to him. With her, he realized, only
direct relations were possible.
How much Of a journey is it?'Vhe
ventured to ask.
Not very long. 1 intend to be
mysterious about It." She smiled
brightly. Her face had lighted up
wonderfully since he gave her the
paper that contained the secret of
the bill
But he knew that she must be
tired: so he said: Cant you send me