The Washington times., 1913-04-16

think you will see that my hands
were tied in that matter pretty COM
pletely."
Yes" said Jeffrey. Il can see that"
Crow rose from his chair. Il hope
You can see, too" he said, 'the reason
why my dealings with you have not
been as frank and direct as could wish
them to be. l honestly meant, when /
made that appointment with you for
this afternoon, to tell you something
of these circumstances. though not SO
much as l have told you this evening.
On the whole. l am not sorry that you
forced my hand.
II have had to make a great many
difficult decisions within the last three
years without consulting anybody, and
crets inside of my head than any man
could find pleasant. It has been a great
relief to take you into my confidence"
Jeffrey rose. too. Well" he said. IF
anything more turns up come to US
again. If there is anything We can do
do, call us. My friend Drew here has
more common sense than any man
know. And 1 myself come across with
a lucky. guess occasionally. 1t has been
very interesting story. and We are
it to us. We have a problem Of our
own On hand which it may aelp us to
solve
Crow nodded and said good night to
jeffrey. 1 was already in the doorway,
in the act of showing him out
by the way" said Jeffrey, and Crow
stopped short. Perhaps he had said II 4
little too casually. foi myself had the
feeling something was coming. There's
that photograph you gave me to paint
from. 1 must return that. I'd forgotten
1t. Shall / send it to Beech Hill or to
Miss Meredith's town address,
Why, you may as well send II direct
to Beech Hill" said Crow.
'I'll attend to ii at once" said Jeffrey.
and then 1 shan't have anything more
on my mind. There's nothing else. Is
there"
Il think not" said Crow, "and you
can congratulate yourself on a very
successful outcome. The portrait was
really wonderful. Good night again.
He looked, as he stood there facing
Jeffrey, holding out his hand to him,
like a man who had just got rid Of
some lone. crushing oppression. who
had just dropped a load off his shoul
ders and was standing up straight
and drawing deep, comfortable breaths
for the first time in a long while.
l didn't wonder at that. l could see
that his secret knowledge of Miss
Merediths condition, his uncertainty
selfish interests with those Of his
patient, must have driven him nearly
distracted.
SO II was with real cordiality, when
he had followed me to the outer door,
! which l held open for him. that ex-
tended my hand to him. He didn't
seem to see my hand-didn't move
his own to meet IT. and at that
looked into his face. 1t had changed
somehow in the last five seconds.
There was a look almost of panic
in his eyes. He made an impercepti-
BILE move as il to brush by me and
go back into the inner office. But he
checked it
Then, with what seemed a supreme
effort. he recovered his former man
ner. shook hands hastily. and walked
swiftly away down the corridor to
the elevator.
| found Jeffrey pacing up and down,
his eyes shining with excitement.
We've got the right trail at last,
Drew he said excitedly. We've got
It at last"
He took another turn across the
room, tugging with both hands at his
hair. as he was wont to do in me-
ments Of excitement. Then he stopped
and stood facing me.
Are You game. Drew Will you see
it through with me-
See What through" said l. IT'S
all explained now. isn't it? What 10
there for US to do?"
We've got to outguess him. said
Jeffrey, thoughtfully- viii he bring
her back to town, or will he leave her
at Beech Hill? Me meant to bring her
back to town. but will he do il now?
Perhaps he's brought her already-sent
for her as soon as they wired him /
hal bt IN there
What in the world are You talking
abCUt?" | demanded.
He paid no attention to my question,
but started walking up and down again.
Hell see it," said Jeffrey. Hes sure
to see it, He may catch on any min
..'e."
l remembered the sudden change that
had come over Crows face just before
n I'm me-.
Il don't in the least know what you
mean" said !. but Jeffrey. l believe
he has seen L."
He wheeled and faced me. his eyes
eager with III" question he did not need
to ASH.
Just before he left me. there in the
outer office, his face changed and
queer look came over IT. ! thought for
d moment he was coming back into this
room. II was as If he'd forgotten some
thing-sorle thing important. And then
he changed hs mind and went away.
'Hio Sees. then" said Jeffrey. Well.
m not sorry. On the whole. I'd rather
play tbs hand that way
But VIA do you mean?' | cried.
He had forgotten something" said
Jeffrey soberly oh. there's no time
to talk now. We've got to move quick
ly. We've got to go to Beech Hill to-
night. We're going to commit a burg
larry. Drew. Are you game?
4 Continuation Of This story Will
BE Found In Tomorrow
Issue Of The Times.