The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1911-03-30

wished to talk to. That person was
hard to get"
Long distance~
1T proved necessary to use long dis
tance."
Then she caught glimpse of the fig-
ure across the street. "Thers'0 Mr.. AL
catrante," she exclaimed.
Yes, have Just had talk with
him"
Her face showed concern.
Don't let him worry you, DEAR" he
added. He will try to balk us. We
must expect that. But I think can
take care of him"
Il believe it." she said, softly.
He wondered whether she could
guess how relentlessly he was plan
ming to deal with Alcatrante. Would
she justify the course he had in mind?
AS to her attitude, he felt doubtful.
Perhaps she did not agree with the
| South American that murder was
sometimes necessary in the service of
ones country.
Moreover, while Alcatrante was un-
doubtedly serving the interest Of his
country. Orme had no real certainty
that he himself was in a similar posi-
tion. He had every reason to infer
that the papers were of Importance to
the United States government, but
after all he could only go by inference.
The affairs Of some private corporation
IN the United States might have seri-
GUS bearing on problems in South
America and the far east He decided
to sound the girl for information that
would be more definite.
But first the question as to their
next move must be answered.
DO you know where we can get
motor?" he said.
"No"-she prolonged the word doubt
fully. I'VE may have to take a motor
cab"
1T would be safer than the railroad
or the electric line" Then he asked
with great seriousness: Girl, dear. l
don't know much about the meaning
and value of these papers in my pock.
ct, and don't care to know any more
than you choose to tell me. But let me
know just this much: Are they as i'm
portant to you as they are to our ene-
mics? Have you really been justified
in the risks you have run?"
you have seen how far Alcatrante
and the Japanese have been willing to
CO." she replied, gravely. II am =. IRE
that they would not hesitate to kill us,
if 1t seemed necessary to them In their
effort to get possession of the papers.
Now, my dear, they are even much
more important to my father"
IN his business interests?"
| Much more than that"
They were walking along the glim.
mering canyon of La Sale street,
which was now almost deserted In the
dusk. A motor car swept slowly
around the corner ahead and came
toward them. 1t had but ono occu-
pant, chauffeur, apparently. He wore
dust-coat, cap, and goggles which
seemed to be too large for him.
Regardless Of Alcatrante, who was
following them, Orme hailed the chau-
feur. Will you t.ke a fare% he
called.
The man stopped his car and, after
"a moment of what Orme interpreted as
indecision, nodded slowly.
How much by the hour?" asked
Orme.
The chauffeur held up the ten fin
gers of his two hands.
Orme looked at the girl. He hadn't
that much money with him.
IF only had time to cash a check"
he said.
"Al! right she whispered. 81 have
plenty
They got into the tonneau, and the
girl, leaning forward, said: Take the
Lake Shore drive and Sheridan road to
Evanston"
Again the chauffeur nodded, without
turning toward them.
He doesn't waste many words"
whispered the girl to Orme.
While the car was turning Orme
noted that Alcatrantc had stopped
short and was watching them. 1t was
some reason for surprise that he was
not hunting for q motor in which to
follow.
Perhaps his plans were so complete
ly balked that he was giving up alto
gether. No. that would not be like Al
catrante. Orme now realized that in
all likelihood the minister had fore
seen some such circumstance and had
made plans accordingly.
He was more and more inclined to
! believe that Alcatrante had but half
expected to keep him long imprisoned
in Wallingham's Office. Then what
had been the purpose underlying the
trick? Probably the intention was to
make Orme prisoner for as long peri
cd as possible and, in any event, to
gain time enough to communicate with
Poritol and the Japanese and whatever
other persons might be helping in the
struggle to regain the papers. The
probabilities were that Alcatrante had
been using the last two hours to get
in touch with his friends.
And now those friends would be in
formed promptly that Orme and the
girl were setting out by motor. This
analysis apparently accounted for Al
catrante's nonchalance. Orme and the
girl seemed to "be escaping, but in
truth. If they approached their destina-
tion at all. they must run into the am
buscade of other enemies. Then the
nearer the goal. the greater the dan
ger.
AS the motor slid smoothly north.
ward on La Sale street, Orme looked
back. Alcatrante had made no move.
The last glimpse that Orme had Of him
showed that slight but sinister figure
alone on the sidewalk of the deserted
F. cfrook