The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-07-18

Without question, sir. It was always %
understood"
Hargreave's glance sought the mirror, then
the smileless face of his man. lie laughed,
but the sound conveyed no sense of mirth;
then he turned and went down the steps
slowly, like a man burdened with some thought
which was not altogether to his liking. He
had sent an order for his car, but had imme-
diately countermanded it. He would walk till
he grew tired, hail a taxicab, and take a rum
up and down Broadway. The wonderful illu-
mination might prove diverting. For eighteen
years nearly; and now it was as natural for
him to throw a glance over his shoulder when
ever he left the house as 1t was for him to
breathe. The average man would have grown
careless during all these years but Hargreave
was not an average man; he was, rather, an
extraordinary individual. 1t was his life in
exchange for eternal vigilance, and he knew
and accepted the fact.
Half an hour later he got into a taxicab and
directed the man to drive downtown as far az
Twenty-third street and back to Columbus
circle. The bewildering display of lights, now
ever Al SStFeN ~ III Tie SSuSS OIL Op~
preston that had weighed upon him all day.
South Of Forty-second street he dismissed the
taxicab and stared undecidedly at the brilliant
sign Of a famous restaurant. He was neither
hungry nor thirsty but there would be strange
faces to study and music.
1t was an odd within. He had not entered a
Broadway restaurant in all these years. He
was unknown. He belonged to no clubs. Two
months was the longest time he had ever re-
manned in New York since the disposal of his
old nom in Madison avenue and his resigna-
ton from his clubs. This once, then, he would
break the law he had written down for HIM
self. Boldly he entered the restaurant.
Some time before Hargreaye surrendered to
the restless spirit Of rebellion, bitterly to re-
pent for it later, there came into this restau-
rant a man, and a woman. They were both
evidently we'll known, for the head waiter was
obsequious and hurried them over to the best
table he had left and took the order himself.
The man possessed a keen, intelligent face.
You might have marked him for a successful
lawyer, for there was an earnestness about his
expression which precluded a life of idleness,
His age might have been anywhere between
40 and so. TIL shoulders were broad and the
hands which lay clasped upon the table were
slim but muscular. Indeed, everything about
him suggested hidden strength and vitality.
His companion was small, handsome, and ami
mated. Her frequent gestures and mutabls
eyebrows betrayed her foreign birth. Her aga
was a matter Of importance to no one but
herself.
They were at coffee when she said There's
a young man coming toward US. He is look
ing at you"
The man turned. Instantly his face lighted
up with a friendly smile Of recognition.
Who Is it?" she asked.
"a chap worth knowing; a reporter Just d
little out of the ordinary. I'm going to intro
duce him. You never can tell. We might
need him some day. All, Norton. how ara
you?"
" Good evening, Mr.. Braine.'' The reporter
catching sight Of a pair Of dazzling eyes. hest
tated.