Rock Island Argus., 1913-06-18

and walking quickly TO the door, he
opened it and slipped out into the
dark hall. He called softly and there
was a confused murmur from below.
Then he returned with heavy frown
on his face.
''No. it is Hurley" he exclaimed.
'Hurleyr" echoed Mrs Martin. star
tied HE ought to know better than
this. He oughtn't to come here"
1T must be because Gage telephoned /
to him about the girl" ventured Kreis- /
Ter.
''Oh, yes agreed the woman. great
ly relieved. But the frown did not dis /
appear from Kreislcr's face.
Always he is finding fault with |
things we do he grumbled. And it !
is he who makes the mistakes
At that moment the lawyer. in even /
ing clothes. stepped in at the door, fol- |
lowed by Gage.
You are wrong to come here" de-
claFed Mrs Martin abruptly.
whats this about your bringing a
strange woman here?" demanded the
lawyer, his manner more abrupt than ]
the womans.
That's all right" declared Mrs.
Martin "You needn't worry about
that 1 know what I'm doing"
What are you doing:" he demanded
roughly.
DO not be so rude" interposed
Kreisler with dignity. she will ex-
plain to you"
Friedrich said Mrs. Martin quiet
". you and Gage go downstairs and
let me talk to him"
But. ny dear" protested the artist,
with a gesture toward the table, Il
cannot leave all this here"
We'll, 1 guess my seats wanted"
snapped Gage. making for the door
81 suppose when It's time for me to
know what's goin' on in this shack
III be tipped off by the bull on the
beat"
well, who is it?' demanded Hurley,
after Gage had vanished.
! Its Miss Mazuret''-
"What" exclaimed Hurley. the color
/ stricken from his face i'll an instant
"Kayton asked me to take charge of
her," explained Mrs. Martin simply.
My God! Are you crazy?" gasped
the lawyer.
1T would have been crazy to re-
fuse" returned the woman as quietly
as ever. Hurley swallowed hard and
bit his lip.
This is a plant"' he declared in a
hoaTse whisper.
But, listen
The one person in the world that
you should have kept furthest away
from
"Oh, do not talk, Hurley broke i'll
Kreisler with impaticnce and CON
tempt. listen, Iisten."
Hurley gulped again, but made no
further effort to speak. and Mrs. Mar
tin told the story simply hut rapidly.
when l went in that day about the
legacy he was planning to have the
girl disappear" she said. He wanted
TO protect her from reporters. and. be
sides, he suspected some one in their
house, and lie wanted TO throw all the
suspicion on her and put them of their
guard. 1t was my telling him that
had furnished rooms that put the idea
in his head. lie thought. Of course,
that l must be under obligations to
Mr.. Argyle, and / couldn't refuse to
take her without arOuSing his suspi-
cions. How could I? What excuse
could give? l couldn't tell him why
We didn't want her in this house"
1T would have been better to let
that legacy 60" declared Hreisler
darkly.
Hurley had been gradually pulling
himself together, and as he listened to
Mrs. Martins even voice he lost some
of the ghastly look that the announce
ment had brought 10 his face.
Hold on he exclaimed. "Wait 4
minute. What was that? Do you
mean to tell me that he's using us 10
throw the real criminals off the
track:"
Yes" replied Mrs. Martin, her lips
twitching family.
We'll, by Jove!' exclaimed Hurley
his voice cracking with the excess of
. relief, the strong reaction from his ter
ror of a few moments before. Never
> sleep Kayton,' ne crCwed and burst
/. into hearty laugh. Isn't he won
derful. this great detective: oh. it's
all advertiSing-he a pinhead! II he
. knew the kind Of horsehair they have
in some of these lodging house mat
treSses. eh, Kreisler:"
"Hush!' warned the German. "Not
. so loud"
But Hurley was irrepressihle. "Have
you seen the papers:' he chackled.