The Prince George's enquirer and southern Maryland advertiser. (Upper Marlborough, Md.) 1882-1925, 1914-12-18

appeared. Was there not as good
chance of finding out the truth IL this
manner as in any other? Vanderpool
had agreed to his (Hill's) incarceration,
1t was true, but the reasons for SO
doing were strong, and his objections
had been overruled by the rest of the
gang with whom the asphalt magnate
had appeared to be associated. At any
rate, it was worth trying. Vanderpool
was aware Of the knowledge which he
(HilD possessed, and under any cir
cumstances the latter would be work
ing under a search-light, so to speak,
the moment his escape was discovered.
On the whole, the notion seemed a
good one. for by its execution nothing
could be lost, while much might be
gained.
"And I think" he said aloud, that
I shall take Mr.. Jones; he will make
me more conspicuous and, conse-
quently, safer"
Whats that?" queried Nita.
Merely that / am going out now,
mother" responded Hill, rising forth
with.
Out from the dimness and dirt OF
the back tenement, from the low
rooted houses, degraded mansions OF
an earlier day, out from the muck
and squalor, the slush and CRIME OF
unswept Greenwich into the roaring
canyon of commerce to the east, went
Hill, the little brown bear tagging
after, and joining with his master the
river Of humanity that swept between
the towering cliffs of granite on either
hand; the strange, incomprehensible
towers, which stretched up, up, higher
than one at their feet could see, at q
single glance, any more than he could
grasp their significance with single
thought. Before one Of these build
ing Hill paused, and assuring himself
that it was that which he sought. be-
gan maneuvers to gain admittance.
At first there was difficulty with the
door-keepers on Mr.. Jones account,
but they were successfully persuaded,
and he passed them only to be baked
by the elevator man. There was more
protest than that of the uniformed off,
cial to cope with, for Mr.. Jones fatty
refused to enter the car, and in the
end Hill was obliged to leave him in
charge of a half-delighted, half-fright-
ened porter.
"Just as WELL" murmured the paint
er, as he was spirited upward. IF
they have any clap-trap mysteries
about that Office, secret dungeons. etc.,
and I don't come down. they will get
tired of holding the bear, and come up
after me-"
Even before he had come to this
optimistic conclusion they reached the
twenty-oddth floor, and the offices of
United Asphalt company.
However, difficulties were not at
an end, and it was only after consider
able argument and hauteur that Sam
succeeded in having his name sent in
to the president of the concern. The
name, it seemed, was magical in its
effect, for almost instantly the super
cilious office boy who had condescend-
ed to take it in returned briskly. and
invited "Mr. Hill to please to step this
way"-and so, without more ado, Sam
found himself face to face with Iris
father.
AS Hill entered the luxuriously ap-
pointed Office, the distinguished man
at the wide shining desk did not look
up until he had finished addressing
the letter upon which he was en-
gagged. When he had done SO, and
secured the seal, he turned and faced
Hill with the frank, direct look
was known to be characteristic of him.
"Well, Samuel Hill" he said, $50
you have not only escaped, but felt
it safest to beard the lion in his den
to seek out the conspirator in the
midst Of the market-place. Why?"
For an instant Hill wavered as to
what course was best; and then. in
view of the attitude with which he
himself had come armed, decided to
return frankness for frankness.
81 have come because of this" said
he simply, taking Iris manifesto from
his pocket and spreading 1t upon the
desk before her father. Vanderpool
fumbled at the black silk ribbon that
secured his eyeglasses, found and
adjusted them, and began to read the
little paper When he had come to
the end, he went back and read it for
the second time; and then, spreading
it upon his knee, sat looking at it in
silence.
"Well?" said Hill, desiring, at any
cost, to come to the point.
"You love my daughter?"
"Yes."
"And she?"
Hill merely pointed to the paper.
"She has been distressed about you
for some time" said he, "and as you
were unwilling to relieve her mind,
she decided that you were being VIC
timized In some manner, and SO set
Pc me to find out the cause of the
trouble"
Hum" said Vapderpool. And
why did you not come here this way.
in the first place, instead of spying
upon my activities disguised as a
dness-knows-what?"
Because l knew you would be un-
der no necessity to tell me anything
unless l already possessed some
knowledge" lied Hill with a readiness
that surprised himself.
Then this is a sort of blackmail?'
mot at ALL" cried Sam hotly. 1
have no wish to use the power which
the knowledge l have gives me over
you-though that and the evidence OF
the friends who rescued me from that
beastly hut would be a pretty strong
weapon if I chose to use it. But l
don't to do SO would be to defeat my
own ends and those of Iris, What
want is nothing more than some state
nant from you. which will enable me