Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1912-11-12
CHAPTER XI.
THE KIDNAPPING.


THE KIDNAPPING.
Bernie Dreux appeared at Blake's
Office on the following afternoon with
a sour look upon his face. Norvin had
known he would come, but hardly ex-
pected Myra Nell to win her victory so
easily. without waiting for the little
man to speak, he began:
IT know what you're here for, and
know just what you're going to tell
me-"
do you think you acted very decent
Typ Dreux inquired.
my dear Bernie, crown was at
stake"
"a crown of thorns for me. 1t means
bankruptcy"
"Then you have consentedE Coco!
/ knew you would"
| ssOf course YOU knew I would; that's
what makes your trick so abominable.
| I didn't think it Of you. 1t would
serve you right If 1 accepted your loan
and never paid you back"
ct would indeed" Blake laughingly
laid his hand upon his friends shoulder.
whats more, that is exactly what l
would do in your place. I'd borrow All
| 7 could and give my sister her one
supreme hour, free from all disturbing
| fears and embarrassment; then I'd tell
the irnpertinent meddler who was TO
blame for my trouble to go whistle TOT
his satisfaction. OF course Miss Myra
Nell doesn't suspectT'
ooh. heaven Forbid" piously exclaim-
ed Dreux.
ct don't know; some fabulous sum-
there will be, gowns, and luncheons, ana
carriages and entertaining VIII nave
to figure it out"
"Dol Then double it. And thanks
awfuIly for coming to your senses.
THAT'S Just the point, 1 haven't come
IN them; I'm perfectly insane to consid-
er IT. It's mighty decent OF you, put
understand, 1 consider it a dastardly
trick and I'm horribly offended"
well, as you are not one of the
Malta, 1 am not afraid"
do you know" said Bernie, i nave
been thinking about this Malta matter
ever since saw you. I'm tremendously
interested and I'm beginning to feel
the dawning of a civic spirit. Remark
able Ell? You know 1 haven't many
interests, and I'd like to-to take a
hand in running down these miscreants.
T'va always had an ambition, ever since
was a child, to be a-don't laugh now.
This is a confession. I've always want
ed to be a--detective." He looked very
grave, at the same time little shame
faced. do you SuppOSo OOhAiSAiJ NAN
make me one?"
'rWelll This is rather startling said
Blake with difficulty restraining de-
sire to laugh.
II can wear DISCUSSES wonderfully
we'll" Bernie went on wistfully. i
learned when l was in college theatre
Gals. 1 was really very good. And you
see I might earn a lot of money that
way; 1 understand there are tremend-
Gus rewards offered for train robbers
and that sort of people. No one need
know, of course, and no one would ever
suspect me of being minion OF the
law"
That's true enough. But I'm afraid
detectives in real life don't wear false
boards. It's a pretty mean occupation,
1 fancy DO you seriously think you are
l-er-fitted for it?"
Heavens! I'm no good at anything
else, and I'm perfectly wonderful at
worming secrets, out of people This
Malta matter would give me great op-
portunity think I'll try 1t"
/ ''These Italians have. no sense of
humor. you know. Something disagree
able might happen if you went prowl~
ing around them"
"Oh, of course, I'd quit if they dis
covered my intentions-my game. When
we were talking of such things, the
other day, 1 said L was coward, but
really I'm not. I've a frightful temper
when I'm roused-really hendish. AS
matter of fact I've" he smiled sheep
ishly and tapped his slender, high
arched foot with his rattan cane. 1--WE
already begun"
Blake settled back in his chair with
out a word
I'm taking italian lessons from Myra
Nen's nurse. Miss Fabrizi. She's a very
superior woman, for a nurse. and she
knows all about the Malta. Quite an
Inspiration, 1 call it, thinking of her.
| I'm working her for informa-for
clue" He winked one eye gravely and
Norvin gasped. He had never seen
Bernie give this particular facial
demonstration before and the effect was
much as If some benevolent old lady
had winled brazenly.
"wellT' he exclaimed. Il don't know
what to say"
There is nothing to say" Mr.. Dreux
answered in a vastly self-satistied tone.
I'm going to offer my services to DON
nelly-in confidence, of course. I'm glad
you introduced us, for otherwise I'd
have to arrange to meet him properly.
II he doesn't want me. I'll proceed UNI
aided"
When his caller had gone Blake gave
way to the hearty laughter he had been
smothering, dwelling with Keen ENJOY
nient upon the probable result of. Ber-
MES interview with the chief. Dan. he
was sure, would not hurt the little
mans feelings. so he felt no obligation
to interfere.
1t was not until two weeks after
their nocturnal excursion 10 the italian
quarter that Donnelly came to see him.
He brought unexpected news
We've had q run Of luck" he began
i've verified the information In that
letter and found that those extradihon
papers for Narcone are really In New
York What's more, there's an Italian
detective there on another matter, and
he's ready to take our man back to
Sicily with him."
Really"
'NarcOne. II seems. was in New York
for a year before he came here; that's
why steps were taken to extraditte him.