Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1912-07-18

liar, Thief, and swindier. SAe-e
Is swindle in this thing somewhere.
and he hopes to pull out big sum Of
money from it. He Is merely using
Christie to pull his own chestnuts out
of the fire. She is innocent; we real
ize that, but this fellow is going to
ruin the girl unless we succeed in ex-
posing him. He's not only involving
her In his criminal conspiracy, but
he's making love to her; he's teaching
her to love him. That's part of his
scheme, no doubt, for then she will be
SO much easier handled. l tell you,
Fairbain, your only chance to ever
win the interest of Christie Maclaire
is to help US down this fellow Haw-
ley. Yes, you can sit up; l reckon
you're beginning to see clearer, amt
you?"
Keith drew aside the flap of the
tent to glance without, the light fall
ing on Fairbanks face as he struggled
to sitting posture. He had had a
new thought driven into him, yet
failed to entirely grasp it's signiti-
canoe
But, Jack" he asked, still half
angry, how about the girl? Hasn't
she any right to this money!"
Il don't know" honestly, we don't
any of us know, but whatever she has
the right to she is going to get You
can bet on that, old man. We're buck
ing Hawley, not Christie Maclaire-
get that into your head He hasn't any
right, that's certain, for he murdered
and stole to get the papers-be quiet!
Here the fellow comes now"
They peered out together through
the convenient tent ZAP. Fairbain
scarcely less Interested than the 9TH
er, already dimly comprehending that
his truly dangerous rival was the
gambler and that he could best serve
the lady by helping to prove to her
the real character of that individual.
He was still blindly cropping in the
haze. yet out of Keith's sharp, sting
ing words there had come to him
guiding light. The latter gripped his
arm In restraint
Easy, old man. easy-let him
pass"
Hawley turned into the alley whis-
ting, evidently well pleased with the
situation and anticipating other de-
lights awaiting his coming. The glow
Of the Trooadero's lights served, an
instant. to reveal his face. shaded by
the broad brim Of his hat. and then
he vanished into the dark. Keith lean
ing far out, yet keeping well within
the shadows. heard the faint creak Of
the vestibule door and the soft muir
muir Of distant voices. Then he drew
back suddenly, his hand again grasp
ing Fairbain. Two fgures-those of
man and woman-emerged into the
dim light, and as quickly disappeared.
Apparently her hand was upon his
arm, and he was bending down SO
as to gain glimpse of the face par
TALLY concealed by the folds of the
mantilla. Only a word or two reached
them, little laugh, and the woman's
voice:
Why, of course hurried, you said
you had something of such Importance
to tell me-"
"Fairbain," spoke Keith, his lips al
most at the ear of the other That
was Hope, all right, and she has got
him going already. Now. man, will
you help us out?"
II? How"
Go back there. and meet Miss
Maclaire. l don't care where you take
her-lunch. anywhere; only keep her
from the hotel as long as possible
You can do it far better than |, for
she will not suspect you of any inter
est in this affair. Tell her any lie you
can think up on account of Hawleys
absence. Good Lord. old man. can't
you see this is your chance; go in
and win
Fairbain struggled to his feet still
bit dazed and uncertain, yet tempted
by the opportunity.
You're perfectly sure, Keith, this
isn't anything that will hurt the girl?"
Sure! OF course am It's Just
Hawley I'm cunning after. For Gods.
sake, haven't you got that clear YETI"
IL reckon I'm an old fool, Jack, T"
admitted the Doctor regretfully. and
when an old fool is in love he hasn't
got any sense left. Anyhow I'll do
what you want me to now Where are
you soing?"
To watch those others. There 10
no knowing what play Hawley might
try to pull of. and I want to keep
within gun-shot of him Hurry up.
man; that vestibule door creaked just
then"
He showed him down the dark alley
and lodged back himself across the
front of the tent out into the street
There was crowd Of mon in front OF
the Trocadero. but the couple he
sought wore nowhere in sight.
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