Gilpin observer., 1914-02-05

applied 10 central for an the mum.
bers called up from this hotel since
seven o'clock tonight. We have to
turn in our calls to central, you
know. And one of those numbers will
be the one they want. But it'll be
hard for them to find which one.
Yours would be the very one they
wouldn't think Of"
Cant we stop them from getting
the list?"
mo. Their pull IL too strong. But
It'll take time to run all the numbers
down. And times the one thing they
haven't got. Time! That's our one
tonight. II we can keep them from
doing that"
III worst comes to worst" exclaim-
ed Grace, II can go to my father and
tell him. He loves me enough to
keep it from every one. Even from
Mark. It'll break his heart. But it
will stop tho story"
NO." decided Wanda, after q mo-
ment's thought. "it's too late for that.
The things gone too far. Van Dyke
and your husband and the rest are as
keen for the name as he Is. II he pre-
tended to weaken or tried to stop
them now. they'd push on in spite OF
him."
Then we've got to work alone
We've got to keep them from finding
out. We've got to! We've got tot"
I'D give seven dollars to know
what they're doing now." mused Wan
da. Its tough to work in the dark
like this
Suppose" suggested Grace. in sud-
den dread. suppose they try to force
you to tell? They're clever-and
they're merciless. And
They'll have a sweet time. I'd like
colored photograph of the bunch Of
want to. No. no! Don't you worry
about that, Mrs. Robertson"
"It wouldn't be as easy as you think,
I'm afraid They are SO determined
So"
"Yes, suppose 1t would be liable
to spoil the evening for them and
make them real peevish. But it would
take up lot of time they haven't
! got"
You won't let them break you
down? Oh, I've no right to allow you
| to endanger your welfare for me!
When they find you won't tell. they
may"
Don't let that keep you awake,
| Mrs. Robertson. know I'm taking
chances in bucking the machine. Lord
knows what they'll do to me. But it's
worth the risk. And I'm going to stand
by you till the cows come home. We"
A rattling. as some one in the hall
! tried the outer door OF the suite.
"Grace!" called Robertson from the
hall Are you asleep? The doors
locked"
This way" whispered Grace. point
ing to the inner rooms of the suite
go down the passage. There's an
other door at the end of 1t. leading out
into the hail.
"All right" whispered Wanda in
reply. Good luck to you. Keep your
nerve. That's the main thing. Just
keep your nerve"
"Grace!" called Mark impatiently.
Grace crossed to the locked door.
paused a moment until she heard the
door at the far end of the suite open
and close, then unlocked the outer
door.
Did you fall asleep?" asked Mark.
as he came in. How did the door
happen to be locked?"
Il didn't know I'd locked it." replied
Grace. 1T was careless of me. 1t
seems I'm fated this evening to kssp
you waiting First at the station.
Then"
Its queer" interrupted Mark. II
could have sworn heard a woman's
voice-not yours-talking in here, just
as tried the door. Probably 1t was
in the next suite"
Probably. I'm all alone. And I'm
not given to soliloquy. How is the
fight going?"
Badly. But we'll win. We're de-
laying until we can get certain ma
terial we need"
when do you expect the others?"
They'll be here in a minute. |
came on ahead. I'm fool. I suppose.
But whenever you're in Washington.
every minute I'm not with you seems
time lost. So made some sort OF an
excuse and hurried on. Why. "he asked
in sudden alarm, what's the matter?"
(TO BE CONTINUED)
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