Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1912-02-01
cAAPrER-xxyill-lcontInue

Keith drew aside the nap Of the
tent to glance without, the light fail.
ing on Fairbanks face as he struggled
to sitting posture He had had a.
new thought driven into him, yet
failed to entirely grasp Its signih-
canoe
tBut. Jack he asked. still half
angry. .how about the girl? Hasn't
4 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 heid. He hasn't any
right. that's certain. for be, murdered
and stole to get the papers--be quiet!
Here the fellow comes now!
They peered out together through
the convenient tent flap, Fairbain
scarcely less Interested than the 9TH
er, already dimly comprehendfng thai
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 E1itt e sharp. sting
ing words there had come to him
guiding light. The latter gripped his
arm In restraint.
&, Easy. old man. easy-let him
D pass
Hawley turned into the alley whis-
Ting. evidently well pleased with the
] situation and anticipating other Ede-
lights awaiting his coming. The glow
of the Trocadero,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
I the shadows. heard the faint creak OF
the yestibHle door and the soft muir
! muir OF distant voices. Then he drew
back suddenly. his hand again grasp
ing Fairbain. Two figures those. or
man and woman emerged into the
dim hight. and az quickly disappeared.
n Apparently her hand was upon his
arm. and he was bending down 80
as to gain q glimpse OF the face par.
tally concealed by the folds OF the
mantilla. Only word or two reached
them. "a 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?
Il? How?"
Go back there. and meet Miss
Maciaire. | don't care whore you take
her-lnnch. anywhere: only keep her
8 from the hotel as long as possible.
You can do It far better than /, for
! she win not suspect you OF any inter
est In this affair. Tell her any lie you
can think up ON account Of HawIey.s,
absence Good Lord. old man, canr
you see this Is your chance: 60 in
and win"
Fairbain struggled to his feet. stiil q
| bit dazed and uncertain. yet tempted
By the opportunity.
You're perfectly sure. Keith. this
liant anything that will hurt the girl?al
"Sufei OF course am It's just
HAWley I'm cunning after. For Gods. |
sake. haven't you got thar clear yeta.'
Ill reckon Pm an old fool. Jack. 4 Il
admitted the Doctor regretfully. "and !
when an old fool Ii In love he hasn't |
got any sense left Anyhow IN do
, what ron want me to now Where are
you going?'.
TO watch those others There Is,
40 knowing what play Hawley might
try TO pun on. and want 10 keep
within gunsshot of HIM Hurry up.
man; that vestibale door creaked lust |
then.
he showed him down the dark alley
and lodged back himself across the
mont of the tent out into the 56trset |
There Naa crowd Of men I'M front ol
the Tfocadero. but the couple he /
oonght were nowhere 10 sight
CHAPTER xxx.
NJ Eoree - Ar,y,S 81