The Springfield herald., 1913-06-20
II fancy 60"

Il fancy co." r-
We'll. take 1t from me. the sooner
you get rid of him the better. Chances
are he's man OF no principle, and
he'll do you"
Agatha was silent. = Meantime Mr..
Straker got his second wind.
"Of course he knows what he's
about when 1t comes to machine"
the manager continued. but mark me,
he knows too much for an honest man.
Looks to me as II there wasn't any
thing on this green earth he can't
do"
much ut home there" laughed Aga
tina.
'Humph!" Mr. Straker grunted in
disgust. Let me assure you. Miss
Redmond. that it's no Joking matter"
Tradition to the contrary. Agatha
was content to let the man have the
last word. Mr.. Straker turned to
some business matters. wrote out tele-
Graphic, material enough to occupy
the leishrely Charlesport operator for
some hours. and then disappeared.
Agatha was Impressed by the man
ayers words Eotnewhat more th9h, her
manner implied. She had no swift
and sure judgment of people. and her
experience of the wo1ld. short as II
was, had taught her that recklessness
is costly luxury. She was meditat,
ing as to the wisest course to pursue,
when the ex-chauffeur appeared.
Hand wore his accustomed loose
shirt, and trousers without coat or
waistcoat, and 1t seemed as II he had
never known hat. His thick hair
was tumbled back from the forehead
His hands we're now spotless. and his
whole appearance agreeably clean and
wholesome. He even looked as II he
we're going to be frank, but Agatha
knew that must be delusion. 1t was
impossible, however. not to be some
what cajoled-he was SO eminently
likable. Agatha took lesson from
his own book. and waited in silence
for him to speak.
"Mademoiselle?" His voice had an
undertone of excitement or nervous
ness that was wholly new.
We'll, Mr.. Hand7"
| NOOh
for a moment, then stepped forward
with the abrupt manner of STRIPPING
who, usually inarticulate, has sudden
ly found tongue.
why did you do 1t. Mademoiselle? 2
DO what. my friend?"
Back me up before the sherin
Give me slick walkout like that"
Agatha laughed good-humoredly.
why should answer your ques
tions, Mr.. Hand. when you SO persist
emily ignore miner"
Hand made gesture of impatience
"Mademoiselle, you may think mt
all kinds OF scamp. but I'm not lido
enough to hide behind a woman. Don
you know me we'll enough to know
that?" he demanded SO earnestly tina
he seemed very cross.
Agatha looked into his face with I
new curiosity. He was very young
after ALL Something in the way o
experience had been grinding philoso
ply, of a sort. into him-or out o
him. Wealth and position had beel
his natural enemies, and he had some
how been led to an attitude OF antae
onism that was. at bottom. quite fol
eign to his nature.
So much Agatha could guess at, an
for the rest. instinct taught her to b
kind. But she was not willing now t
take him go seriously as he seemed t.
be taking himself She couldn't re
sist teasing him a bit, by saying
Nevertheless, Mr.. Hand. you did hid
behind me; you had to-"
He did not reply to her banterini
smile. but, in the pause that followed
stepped to the bookcase where sh
had been standing, gingerly picked VI
soft bit of linen and lace from tn
floor and dropped 1t into her lap. Thel
he faced her in an attitude of pugna
cious irritation. For a brief momen
his silence fell from him.
81 didn't have to-" he contradicted
81 let it go because l thought yo'
we're a good sport. and you wouldn'
catch me backing out of your game
not by a good deal! But there's
darned sight-pardon me. Mademoi
selle!-there's too much compan!
round here to suit me! You know me
you know you can trust me, Mademol
Selle! But Wnal ABOUT LON, blCh dHs
Harry all over this place-castint
eyes at manE
Agatha, almost against her will
was forced to meet his seriousness
halfway. 81 don't know what yol
mean" she said.
Tell 'em!" he burst out. Tell 'en
the whole story. Tell that blamed
snoopin' manager that I'm a crool
and kidnaper. and then he'll stoI
nosing round after me. I'll have al
hours start, and that's all | want
Dogging a man-running him dowr
under his own automobile!" Hant
permitted himself dry smile at hi.
own Joke, but Immediately added: 1T
goes against the grain, Mademoi
selle!"
Agathas face frightened. as she
grasped the clue to Hands wrath
1--WE no doubt" she answered grave
ly. She knew the manager. But why
| should | tell him. as you suggest2"