Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1912-03-15


ing, and have been ~ aicae, wait
ing for know not what"
You haven't been afraid" said
Fitzgerald.
I'm not sure that l havent.'S She
sighed.
, NONSENSE cried the admiral
81 am not afraid of anything | car
see, but ! 90 not like the dark. dc
not like mysteries"
You're the braveSt girl ! know
Laura" her fathe- declared. Now
Mr.. Breitmann, if you don't mind"
Shall We begin Ct once. sir?"
You viii copy some Of my notes to
begin q Any tine you're in doabt
over Il Tv-J speak ID NE. There will
not lie much oCtside O. manuscript
work. Most Ct LIZ NAL is sired Of
my bankers and only important let.
tiers forwarded. There may he a SO.
cial note occasionally. Do you read
and write English as well As you
speak itT'
"0h, yes"
Laura invited Fitzgerald to the ten.
mis- court.
'1n these shoes:" he protested.
'They will not matter. II Is a ce.
ment court"
But l shan't look the game. Ten.
mis- without fannels Is like duck with.
out apples"
Bother! Wen play till the mason
comes up. And mind your game.
I've been runner up in a dozen tour
naments."
And be soon found that she had not
overrated her skill. She served strong.
ly, volleyed beautifully and darted
across the court with a feetness and
a surety both delightful to observe.
So interested were they in the bate
that they forgot all about the mason
till the butler came out and announced
that the dissertation had begun.
In fact, the broad marble top was
on the floor and the room full Of i'm
palpable dust. The admiral and the
secretary were grayely stacking the
bricks, one by one, as they came out.
Found anything? asked the girl
breathlessly.
"NOt yet, but Mr.. Donovan here has
just discovered a hollow space above
the mantel line" The admiral sneezed.
Mr.. Donovan in his usual free and
happy way drew out two bricks and
dropped them on the polished floor.
There's your boiler, sir" he said,
busting his hands.
Cnbidden. Breitmann pushed his
hand into the cavity. His arm went
down to the elbow and he was forced
to stand on tiptoe. He was pale when
he withdrew his arm, but in his hand
was a square metal case, about the
size and shape Of a cigar box.
by cracl.y! What's the matter, Mr..
Breitmann:" The admiral stepped for
ward sOlicitOuSly.
Breitmann swayed and fell against
the side Of the fireplace. 1T is moth
ing; lost my balance for a moment.
Will you open it. sir?'
Lost his balance% muttered Fitz-
gerald. He looks grOggy. Why
This was not time for speculation.
All rushed after the admiral. who laiI
the case on his desk. and took out his
keys. None Of them would turn in
the ancient lock. With IN impatient
gesture, which eScared the Others the
secretary seized Mr.. nonovan's ham,
mer, inserted the claw between ne
lock and the cot ord r2ye rorcr.
full wrench. The lid fell back, crooked
and Scared.
The admiral put on his mandarin
spectacleS. With his hands behind bis
back lie bent ard critically examined
the contents. Then, very carefully, he
extracted a packet of papers, yellow
and old, bound with heavy cOrdlng.
Beneath this packet was a medal Of
the Legion Of Honor, some rose leaves
and small glove.
know what | Think" said the ad-
miral, shilling the shake in his voice.
This belonged to that mysterious