The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-12-09

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he saw in this young mans eyes in
compatibility.
ut is yours on one condition" said
Braine, reaching out his foot s~tealthily
toward the button which would sum-
mon Samson.
"And that u.s." interpolated Norton,
that I join the Black Hundred"
"Or the great beyond, my lad" took
up Braine, his voice crisp and cold:
Norton could not repress a shiver.
Where had he heard this voice before
. Braine! He stiffened.
Murder in cold blood?" he managed
to say.
Indefinite Imprisonment. Choose"
IT have chosen"
"H'm!" Braine rose and went over
to the sideboard for the brandy. "I'm
going to offer you a drink to show you
that personally there are no hard feel
ings. You are in the way. After you,
our friend, Jones. This brandy is not
poisoned, neither are the glasses.
Choose either and I'll drink first. We
are all desperate men, Norton; and we
stop at nothing. Your life hangs by
a hair. Do you know where Har-
greave is?"
Norton eyed his liquor thoughtfully.
do you know where the money is?".
Norton smelt of the brandy.
81 am sorry," said Braine. II should
have liked to win over a head like
yours"
Norton nonchalantly took out his
watch, and that bit Of bravado per-
haps saved his life. In the case OF
his watch he saw a brutal face behind
him. Without a tremor, Norton took
up his glass.
81 am sorry to disappoint you," he
said. "but 1 shall neither join you nor
go to by-by."
Quick as a bird shadow above grass,
he flung the brandy over his shoulder
into the face Of the man behind. Sam
son yelled with pain. Almost at the
same instant Norton pushed over the
table, %upsetting Braine with it. Next
he dashed through the curtains,
slammed the door, and fled to the
street, very shaky about the knees, If
the truth is to be told.
General Henderson's views upon the
latest Balkan middle were missing
from the Blade the following nor
ing. Norton, instead Of returning to
the generals and fulfilling his assign
ment like a dutiful reporter, hurried
out to Riverside to acquaint Jones
with what had happened. Jones was
glad to see him safe and sound.
THAT new reporter started the
game" he said. II overhead a word
or two while he was talking in the
booth. All your telephone booths are
ramshackle affairs, you 8 them 80
constantly. 1 tried to find you, but
you were out of sight. Now, tell me
what happened"
SSH" warned Norton as he spied
Florence coming down the stairs.
81 thought you couldn't comet" she
cried. But ten o'clock"
81 changed my mind" he replied,
laughing.
He caught her arm in his and drew
her toward the library. Jones smiled
after them with that enigmatical smile
of his, which might have signiied
irony or affection. After half an
hours chat, Florence, quite aware
that the two men wished to talk, re-
tired.
At the door Norton told Jones what
had taken place at 40 Elm street.
"Ah! we must not forget that num-
her," unused Jones. my advice Is,
keep an eye on this Gregg chap. We
may get somewhere by watching him."
do you know where Hargreave Isl"
Jones scratched his chin reflectively.
Norton laughed. 81 can't get any
thing out Of you"
Much less any one else. I'm grow.
ing fond Of you, my boy. You're a
man"
"IhankS; ana goOQ-nlSnt'
When Olga Perigoff called the next
day Jones divested himself of his liv-
cry, donned a plain coat aJd hat, and
left the house stealthily. Today he
was determined to learn something
definite in regard to this suave, hand
some Russian. When size left the
house Jones rose from his hiding place
and proceeded to. follow her. The re-
suit Of this espionage on the part OF
Jones will be seer presently.
Meantime Jim went DOWN to the
Office and lied cheerfullI about his
missing the general. Whether the
city editor believed him or not is Of
no matter. Jim went ovel to his desk.
From the corner of his eye he could
see Gregg s%cribbling away. He e
raised his head as Jim rat down to
read his mail. After awhile Gregg
rose and left the Office; AMI, of course,
Jim left shortly afterward. When the
newcomer saw that he was being fol-
lowed, he smiled and continued on his
way. This Norton chap was suspi'
cious. All the better; his suspicious
should be made the hook TO land him
with. By and by the man turned into
a drug store and Jim loitered about
till he reappeared. Gregg walked
with brisker steps now. 1t was his in
tention to lead Norton On a wild goose
chase for an hour or so, long enough
to give Braine time to arrange a well