Atlanta Georgian., 1913-03-01
On the Offensive.


II was nearly two weeks later that
Martha. Clayerings old colored maid, had
her third argument within a week with
Young Howell on the subject of admit
ting him to the library in the absence
of the master But, as on the previous
occasions, she succumbed to the power OF
gold in the shape of dollar bill
"Oh. I'm so glad you've come was
Margaret's greeting, and at the same mo-
ment she burst into tears. She mad
grown paler and thinner in those two
weeks. and there were dark circles un-
der her eyes.
Howell put his arm around her and led
her. unresisting to a seat. AS we nave
stated. he had been there only twice be-
fore. but as a newspaper man he had
recognized the value of improving every
opportunity, and he could not reproach
himself with wasted time.
Here! Here!" he exclaimed, in kindly
sternness. What is 1t? Sit down-sit
down."
ooh, IL can't go on-I can't go on!
sobbed the girl.
Cant go on!' he exclaimed IN alarm
What's happened"
ooh. that awful old man! This story
he is writing-the story of myself! He
uncanny! He's brought the story down
10 the day of the murder and nearly eV-
erything he says Is true. l don't know
how he knows. but nearly everything he
says is true-and it's driving me mad!
"rve Good News"
Howell readjusted his arm so as to make
the circle more nearly complete. rhe
treatment seemed efficacious because the
girl Immediately began to recover her
self control.
There, now. come-listen!" Margaret
dried her eyes and raised her head with
a tremendous sigh. "1t may not last
much longer" he told her. 'Tve good
news!'
you mean word from victor?" she
asked instantly
'I think we shall have soon,'' he smiled.
triumphantly. 81 know where he is
"oh, you're sure?'' she gasped
Yes he replied, positively you know
/ told you how l watched the gnk that
came to the church that night and got
that list
Yes" she said, eagerly.
Little me rubbering from the organ
loft
Yes"
And how 1 followed him to Fourth
street.
'Yes-yes."
Well" Howell unconsciously thrust
out his chest little, and in spite of her
torn soul the girl had to repress a smile.
He was such boy! THAT old boy from
the office and your uncle have been
watching that house day and night ever
since They saw those wops go in and
out. but nothing happened. got tired of
waiting and this morning did some Sher-
lock Holmes stuff myself The house
across the street is only two stories high.
climbed up on the roof with a pair OF
these''-he tugged a small but expensive
pair of field glasses out of his pocket l
lamped all the windows in the building
opposite. Wen,' he went on impressively,
lone of the windows of the seventh floor
is grated like jail. When 1 saw that, l
knew | had a live wire; so / took your
uncle up on the roof and we waited, FL
nally we saw a face at the bars of that
window. Your uncle took the field glasses
and recognized your brother"
Then he's alive!' cried the girl, a spot
of color rushing to each cheek.
He's Alive, All Right"
'Sure!" declared Howell as proudly as
if that fact, too, were part of his per-
sonal work "And 1 think your uncle
made him understand that he would wait
IN the street beloW-and it's pipe your
brother will get something through to us
soon"
And is uncle watching the house now?"
You bet he isl" returned Howell, with
enthusiasm. He's a game old boy, old
Nunkie. and he'll spot any message that
comes through-dont worry Another
thing-you remember the note the gang
sent you?"
Yes"
They said your brother was safe SO
long as nothing was known"
Yes"
Wen. they've kept their word SO far
he's still alive. But we can't take d
chance with old Clavering any longer