The Washington herald., 1914-09-20

But then he was speaking to his old friend and
man of business. Mr.. Digby
Within another ten minutes this last was in con.
ference with his employer
Il think you must be out Of your head" Dgby
insisted nervously, once their first greetings were
over. You might Just as sensibly throw yourself
from the top Of the Metropolitan tower a. come
to New York while Trine lives and knows you're
this side the water"
NONSENSE" Alan laughed Remember this is
New York-not the backwoods of Maine!"
Alan paused and smote his palm with a remorse-
full fist. BY the Eternal, I'm forgetting Barcus!"
"Barcus?"
Chap whose boat chartered in Portland-sheer
luck on my part he's one Of the salt Of the earth.
First, something must be done for the boy. You've
got influence of some sort in New Bedford surely?"
Digby reflected: Some. There's George Blaine,
justice of the peace"
The very man. Telegraph him in Barcus' inter
ests Immediately. And telegraph Barcus as we'll
send him a hundred for expenses and tell him
to Join me here in New York as quick as he CAM"
Your friends address," Digby inquired. mildly
ironic he sat down at the desk and fumbled with
the supply of stationery.
New Bedford Jail of course" Alan chucked-
but cut his laugh in two as something futtered
from the pack Of envelopes which Digby had dis
turbed and fell to the floor between the two men.
Face up, it grinned sardonic mockery Of Alan's
confidence 1t was Trey of Hearts.
stopped to pick the damned thing up: but Alan
was beforehand with him, and got his fingers first
upon the card.
Now will you believer" Digby demanded huskily.
'In what? A simple coincidence" Alan houted.
Not l! Who knows I'm in New York-vor that
the Arthur Lawrence for whom your agent engaged
these rooms was Alan Law. No, my friend: it's
bit too thick for me- Take my word for it. this is
nothing more nor less than q souvenir Of poker
party held by yesterdays tenant of this suite"
'Perhaps-perhaps!" Digby assented stroking
tremulous lips But I'm afraid for you, my boy.
Who knows that Trine's spies were not watching
my man when he made this reservation? Who
knows but that Arthur Lawrence was too thin
disgnise for Alan Law? 1 tell you, I'm frightened
to the marrow Of my old bones! Do me this favor
at least, my boy: now that you've been warned,
whether by accident or design-we won't argue
that-do leave town-go incognfto to some quiet
place by and wait there for the sailing Of the
next transatlantic steamer. Oh, surely you can't
deny me this one wish Of my fond old heart, my
boy!" r-.. ....
With a gesture Of unfeigned affection Alan
dropped hand on Digby's shoulder.
There's nothing on earth 1 would not do for
you," he said. You've been father and a mother
to ever since can remember, even If We were
separated, most Of the time, by three thousand
miles of salt water. But this thing-I can't do It,
even for you. can't do It even for myself. Rose
Trne is here in New York. in the hands and at
the mercy of her father and sister: and you may
Judge what their mercy will be when you learn all
that she has done for me. l won't go and can't
20 until L find her and take her with me- And
that is final"
Then" Digby struck in, grasping wildly at
straw Of hope, 81 have your word you'll CO. provid-
ing find and restore Rose to your"
you have my word to that unQuestionably.
Bring Rose to me, and I'll gladly shake the dust of
New York from my shoes, and never return till
Trine is put away comfortably in his grave"