The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1911-06-08
CHAPTER vi.


darkened Miss Thorne's clear, blue
gray eyes, in sharp contrast to the
glow of radiant health in her cheeks,
as she stepped from the automobile in
front of the Venezuelan legation, and
ran lightly up the steps. A liveried
servant opened the door.
"A gentleman Is waiting for you,
madam" he announced His card is
here on the"
81 was expecting him." she inter.
rupted. (Which room, please?"
The blue room, madam"
Miss Thorne passed along the hall
way which led to suit of small draw
ing-rooms opening on a garden in the
rear, pushed aside the portieres, and
entered.
I'm sorry I've kept you-" she be-
gan, and then, in a tone of surprise:
Il beg your pardon"
A gentleman rose and bowed
gravely.
Il am Mr.. Grimm of the secret serv-
ice," he informed her with frank
courtesy Il am afraid you were ex-
pecting some one else! l handed my
card to the footman"
For an instant the blue-gray eyes
opened wide in astonishment, and then
some quick, subtle change swept over
Miss Thornes face. She smiled gra-
ciously and motioned him to a seat.
This is quite a different meeting
hn 70 rtc I, 1
planned. isn't IT." she asked
There was a. taunting curve on her
scarlet lips; the shadow passed from
her eyes; her slim, white hands lay
idly in her lap. Mr.. Grimm regarded
her reflectively. There was determ-
ination of steel back of this charming
exterior; there was an indomitable
will, a keen brain, and all of wom-
ans intuition to reckon with. She
was silent, with a questioning upward
slant of her arched brows.
Il am not mistaken in assuming that
you are secret agent of the Italian
government, am -" he queried finally.
NO" she responded readily.
In that event may speak with per-
feet frankneSs?" he went on. ut
would be as useless as it would be
absurd to approach the matter in any
other manner?" 1t was a question.
Miss Thorne was still smiling, but
again the vague, indefnable shadow,
momentarily lifted, darkened her eyes.
You may be frank, of course" she
said pleasantly. please go on"
"Senor Alvarez was shot at the
German embassy ball last night" Mr..
Grimm told her
Miss Thorne nodded, as if in won
der.
Did you, or did you not, shoot
him?"
1t was quite casual She received
the question without change of coun-
tenance, but involuntarily she caught
her breath. 1t might have been a sigh
of relief.
why do you come to me with such
a query?" she asked in turn.
Il beg your pardon" interposed Mr..
Grimm, steadily. did you, or did you
not, shoot him?~
mo, of course I didn't shoot him."
was the reply. If there was any emo
tton in the tone it was merely impa-
tience. why do you come to me?"
she repeated
why do come to you?" Mr.. Grimm
echoed the question, while his listless
eyes rested on her face Il will be
absolutely frank, as | feel sure you
would be under the same circum-
stances" He paused moment; she
nodded. We'll Immediately after the
shooting you ran along the hallway
with revolver in your hand; you ran
down the steps into the kitchen, and
out through the back door, where you
entered an automobile That is not
conjecture; it is susceptible of proof
by eye witnesses"
Miss Thorne I-Jse suddenly with a
queer, helpless little gesture of her
arms, and walked to the window. She
stood there for long time with her
hands clasped behind her back.
THAT brings rs to another ques-
tion," Mr.. Grimm continued merciless-
ly. "If you did not shoot Senor AL
varez, do you know who did?"
There was another long pause.
II want to believe you, Miss
Thorne," he supplemented.
She turned quickly with something
of defiance in her attitude.
"Yes, I know" she said slowly. 1T
were useless to deny it."
who was it?''
81 won't tell you"
Mr.. Grimm leaned forward in his
chair, and spoke earnestly.
Understand, please, that by that
answer you aasCme equal guilt with
the person who actually did the
shooting" he explained IF you ad-
here to 1t you compel me to regard
you as an accomplice." His question
ing took a different line. "Will you ex-
plain how the revolver came into your
possession"
"Oh, II picked it up in the hall
way there" she replied vaguely.
"k want to believe you, Miss
Thorne," Mr.. Grimm said again.
You may. picked it up in the
hallway" she repeated. Il saw 1t ly-
ing there aud picked it up"