Rock Island Argus., 1913-06-14


for a moment 1t seemed 10 me very
cruel"
Yes, and IL seems to me very un-
justified" said Kayton grimly. he
paused for a moment and then said
slowly:
I'm in a very peculiar position, Mrs.
Martin, and 1t has occurred to me that
you could help me-"
Mrs. Martin was unmistakably sur
prised.
Il don't understand" she said.
Kayton leaned back in his chair, put
the tips of his fingers together and
spoke easily.
We'll. in this way. 1t has become
practically necessary that Miss Maui
ret should be protected from the per-
secutions of reporters and photog.
raphers, and even the comments of in
innate friends. She is at the point of
brea king down"-Mrs. Martin made an
inarticulate exclamation Of sympathy
and you know even an innocent
woman will do things to implicate her
self If she's strained beyond the limit
OF her strength"
Yes. yes-of course" exclaimed
Mrs. Martin in a low. tense voice.
But she is so watched" continued
Kayton. that it is impossible for Us
TO get her away anywhere without its
| being known. More than that. we
have arrived at n point where it is nee
essary for our purposes TO make the
real criminal confident that we are of
his trail. To be frank with you," he
added. I'VE suspect former member
! Of the household"
Indeed murmured his visitor.
| Kayton paused for a moment. as If
! TO let this much sink in and settle IT.
| self, and then went on.
We want Miss Mazuret to disap-
pear" he declared, and to disappear
SO completely that even a member Of
her own household will not suspect
that we have anything 20 do with it.
ANY fight by train would be instantly
found out. 1t must be secret and SEN
sationaI. Her closest friends must be
IN state Of the greatest alarm. Do
you follow me?"
Yes, yes; but stammered Mrs.
Martin. KaytOn paid no attention to
the doubtful, heSitatinS manner of the
affirmative. He apparently took it for
granted that Mrs. Martin was willing
and almost eager TO cooperate.
well. then. see for yourself, Mrs.
Martin" he said. that you are in just
: tho ~ jrrhf yoncif{np IN haf
laions with the family are absolutely
unknown. ] am sure | could trust 10
your discretion No one connected with
her would ever connect her with v~u
and you can receive her. without !.
pianation TO anybody. as a total stran.
ger into one of your furnished rooms y
His visitor looked almost alarmed.
"Well. Mr.. Kayton." she said desper.
ately. that's something / wouldn'r
like TO undertake without some
Why not?" he interrupted sharply
"All ask is secrecy"
Mrs. Martin moistened her lips
when did you want hereto Gomez
she asked family.
Now"
"Now" echoed the woman in dis
may. Right away?"
KaytOn nodded. "She is here-wait
ing to see you"
Here exclaimed Mrs. Martin. ris
ing. She's here? / am to see her?"
Yes; 1T once" replied Kayton with
out seeming TO notice her emotion. -
. would like to arrange it so she coult
1 go home with you now. I'll see he
fiNd and explain everything" h
pressed a button on his desk. an,
Manning appeared.
Joe, will you give Mrs. Martin
chair in the outer office-the little OF
fice-and see that she isn't disturbed? :?
Yes. sir
Il won't be long. Mrs. Martin Kay
ton assured her, and. like one in
dream. she started to follow Mannin
y out. But after few steps she hes
tated and stopped.
"Mr. Kayton," she said. with NOR
. frmnesS than she had lately exhibited
you know / came here confidentially
! l didn't expect TO meet any of thes
people. and II would be very incoI
: venent if-if Miss Mazuret should b
any chance hear my name-as mel
toned in the WILL
rs there any one that she could hes
it from except yourseIf?" asked Ka!
>, ton keenly.
). NO. oh. no." was the hasty protes
Mrs Martin he said gravely. 'yor
intercourse with Miss Mazuret can /
just as formal as you choose
make it,"
He nodded in a manner that indica
:, ed that the discussion was over. an
almost against her will she obedientl
;. followed Manning out of the roon
When she had gone Kayton summol
ed his manager and handed him ii
:, card she had given him.
''Leischmann. put Nash in charge
men to start Oh this house rigl
away" he directed. Get a room ne;
enough to take wires from the dict
graph. Have them run out to ever
body that connects with the plac
Tell them to go slow and keep und
cover"
u Yes, sir" said the manager. And
hurried out as Manning returned.
II Joe. be careful with that woman