The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1911-06-02

a hard finger joint between her sec
ond and third knuckles, slowly in
creasing the pressure. And watched
with absolute Indifference the lines of
agony grave themselves upon her
smooth unwrinkled forehead, and the
color leave her cheeks, as the pain
grew too exquisite. Then. suddenly dis
continuing the pressure, but retain
ing her hand, he laughed shortly.
''Will you speak, my lady, or will
you have mOre?"
Don't" she gasped, please"
where are the jewels? Will your
mo"
"Have you given them to Maitland %
NO"
where are they?"
II don't know
"Stop that nonsense unless Where
did you leave them?"
II won't tell won't. All, please,
pleased"
''Tell mel"
"Never. Ah-h!"
An abrupt and resounding hammer
ing at the outer door forced him to
leave off. He dropped her hand with
an oath and springing to his feet drew
his revolver; then, with glance at
the girl, who was silently weeping,
tears of pain rolling down her cheeks,
mouth set in a thin pale line of de-
termination, strobe out and shut the
door after him.
AS it closed the girl leaped to her
feet, maddened with torture, wild eyes
casting about the room for weapon
of some sort, of offense or defense; for
she could not have endured the tor
ture an instant longer. If forced to it,
to fight, fight she would. If only she had
something, a stick of wood, to defend
herself with. But there was nothing,
nothing at all.
The room was a typical Office, we'll
but severely furnished. The rug that
covered the tile floor was of rich
quality and rare design. The neutral
tinted walls were bare, but for a
couple of steel engravings in heavy
wooden frames. There were three
heavily upholstered leather arm-chairs
and one revolving desk-chair; roll
top desk, against the partition wall,
waste-paper basket, and fiat-topped
desk, or table. And that was all.
Or not quite all, else the Office equip
ment had not been complete. There
was the telephone,
But he would hear! Or was the par
tition sound-proof?
AS If in contradiction of the sugges-
ton, there came to her ears very clear
ly the sound of the hall door creaking
on its hinges, and then a mans voice,
shrill with anger and anxiety.
'sYou fool! Do you want to ruin
us both? What do you mean"
The door crashed to, interrupting
the protest and drowning Anisty's
reply.
Il was passing" the new voice took
up it's plaintive remonstrance, land
the Waterman called me in and said
that you we're telephoning for me-
Damn the interfering fool" inter-
rupted Anisty.
.But what's this insanity, Anisty?
What's this about woman? What
The newcomers tones assembled high
scale Of fright and rage.
Lower your voice, you asst" the
burglar responded, sternly. and"
He took his own advice; and for a
little time the conference was con-
Quoted in guarded tones that did not
penetrate the dividing wall save as q
deep rumbling alternating with an i'm
FASHIONED squeak.
But long ere this had come to pass
the girl was risking all at the tele-
phone. Receiver to ear she was i'm
ploring central to connect her with
Ninety -eight-nine Madison. If only she
might get Maitland, tell him where the
Jewels were hidden, warn him to re-
move them-then she could escape
further suffering by open confession.
What NUMBER" came centrars Ian
guild query. after space. did you
say nine-ought-nine-eig eighth"
mo. no, central. Nine-o-eight-nine
Madison, please, and hurry-hurry!"
"Ah, I'm ringin' 'em. They amt
answered yet. Gimme time. There
they are. Go ahead"
Hello, hello!"
'Pwhat Is ut?"
Her heart sank; O'Hagan's voice
meant that Maitland was out.
"O'Hagan-is that you? Tell Mr..
Maitland"
He's GAVIN out for the noight an"
Tell him. please"
But he's out. Ring up in the
marnin'"
But cant you take this message
for him? Please"
The door was suddenly jerked open
and Anisty leaped into the room, face
white with passion. Terrified. the
girl sprang from the desk, carrying the
instrument with her. placing the re-
volving chair between her and her
enemy.