The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-11-18

for his auto. He jumped IN, only to b
hauled out again by the furious reporter. A
band 10 hand fight followed; and the clean
life of the reporter told.
..There, my angelic friend, I believe that
the game Il up There i one shot left .in
this automatic. If you make any attempt
to escape, III let you have it; not to kin
but to disable You and your precious
countess will sail tomorrow morning for the
Baltic, and from there you will 20 to the lead
mines" He dragged his prisoner toward
the house.
"Your troubles are over, my child,'' said
Harsreave, ~ he pressed Florence to his
heart.
And mine have begun" murmured the
countess. "But have still one shot,"
The police stood encircling her. Calmlv
she opened her handbag and took out her
handkerchief. 1t was 4 thick and heavy
silk one. Swiftly she unscrewed the top Of
her walking stick lit win be seen now that
the carrying Of it was not an affectationDs
extracted . vial and t. e violently to
the floor. An overpowering sweet odor filed
the room. Jones, knowing how deeply
versed Draine was In oriental poisons ami
narcotics, made desperate but futile effort
to tear down . curtain to throw over the
liquid: but even in the effort he felt his
senses going. The last he was conscious Of
was hooking laugh.
But the entrance of Jim. dragging Brains
after him, shocked all the banter out Of the
countess. She turned and rushed madly
for the stairs. without having the least idea
how she was to manage an escape from the
upper stories. She had thought Braine free.
AS she few up the steps all the past re-
turned, all her warnings to that stubborn
man. This was the end +. Russia!
The horrors of the cold and the deadly
damps of the mines . forever!
Jim, still holding the battered conspira-
tor, watched her flight in amazement He
could not understandable he pushed Braine
into the library and the vanishing odor as.
sailed his nostrils. What these fumes were
he was never to know, but they proved to
be transitory. Five minutes suf,iced to bring
all back to their senses. For the while they
forgot Olga.
This man is mine." said servan, noddins
toward Braine.
He's yours without CHARGE" said Jim.
am an American citizen" said Braine
who. realizing what the future held, readily
preferred long prison term in America to
the horrors of Russian exile.
Your certificate has been DESTROYED" said
Servan, and the state department consid-
ers your papers void because you obtained
them under false oaths. You are an undo.
sirable citizen; and the republic il happy to
learn that you will be taken OF its hands,"
And because" added Norton, you have
laid too many mines in the Matchmaking
business, and the government does not pro-
pose to have them made known to the pub
lie through . long and useless trinl 1t was
long run, old top; but right is right. And
by the way, l want you to meet Mr. Jed
son, formerly Of Scotland Yard.
He indicated Jones, who started.
Yes" went ON the reporter, 81 recos.
Eized him long ago.
1t is true" said Hargreave, taking Jones'
hand in his own. Fifteen years ago 1 EN-.
ployed him to watch my affairs, and very
well has he done so. And to you you
wretch" turning upon the haggard Braine,
listen: there is million, and you hive
been within foot of it a dozen times. II
has been under your very nose. Do you
remember Poe's 'Purloined letter.? Ha.
Under your very nose. within touch of your
hand! Now. take him away, Mr.. Servap.
The police will be satisfied with the pris-
oners they have"
So, presently, Hargreave, Jones, Florence
ard Jim were alone. That smile which had
revealed to Florence her fathers identity
stole over his face again. He put his hand
on Jim's shoulder and beckoned to Flor
ence.
Are you really anxious to marry this
young mani"
Florence nodded.
Well. then, do so. And 70 to Europe
with him on your honeymoon; and m :,
wedding present to You both, for every
dollar that he has will add a hundred:
and when you get tired Of travel You will
both come back here to live. The Black
Hundred has ceased to exist
And now" said Jones, shaking his Shout.
ders.
Well?" said Hargreave.
MY business b done. Still" Jones
paused.
Go on" said Hargreave soberly.
Well, the truth IL, sir, I've grown used
to you. And il you'll let me play the butler