The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-12-09

men 10SleaQ OF one. he hne" luat
Norton would understand instantly
that he was not the general; but on
the other hand he would not know
that he was addressing Braine.
So the arch-conspirator waited; and
so Norton arrived and was ushered
into the room. A single glance was
enough to satisfy the reporter, always
keen eyed and observant.
''I wish to see General Henderson" ,"
he said politely.
General Henderson is doubtless at
his own house"
"Ab!"
Don't be alarmed - yet" said
Braine smoothly.
Il am not alarmed" replied Norton.
81 am only chagrined. Since General
Henderson is not to be found here
I must be excused"
Il will excuse you presently"
"Ah! I begin to see."
Indeed" Knocked Braine.
tT have tumbled or walked into a
trap"
"a keen mind like yours must have
recognized that fact the moment you
discovered I was not the general"
81 am indebted to the Black Hun
dred?" coolly.
Precisely. We do not wish you i'll.
Mr.. Norton"
"To be sure, MOI" ironically. What
with falling safes, poisoned cigarettes,
and so forth, I can readily see that
you have my welfare at heart. What
puzzled me was the suddenness with
which these affectionate signs ceased"
You're man Of heart" said Braine
with genuine admiration. These af-
fectionate signs, as you call them,
ceased because for the time being you
ceased to be menace. You have
become that once more, and here you
arei"
"And what are you going to do with
me now that you have got me?"
There will be two courses" Braine
reached into drawer and drew out
a thick roll Of bills. There are here
something like $4,000"
Quite tidy sum; enough for a
chap to get married on"
The two eyed each other steadily.
And in his heart Braine sighed. For
he saw N this young mans eyes in
compatibility.
ct is yours on one condition" said
Braine, reaching out his foot stealthily
toward the button which would sum-
mon Samson.
Ard that is" interpolated Norton,
"that Join the Black Hundred"
''Or the great beyond, my lad" took
up Braine, his voice crisp and cold.
Norton could not repress shiver.
Where had he heard this voice before
:. Braine! He stiffened.
Murder in cold blood?" he managed
to say.
Indefinite imprisonment. Choose"
81 have chosen"
H'm!" Bralne rose and went over
to the sideboard for the brandy. "Tm
going to offer you drink to show you
that personally there are no hard feel
irgs. 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
hair. Do you know where Har-
grave is?"
Norton eyed his liquor thoughtfully.
do you know where the money is?'
Norton smelt Of the brandy.
81 am sorry" said Braine 81 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 q tremor, Norton took
up his glass.
'I am sorry to disappoint you," he
said, "but 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 fed to the
street, very shaky about the knees, if
the truth is to be told.
General Henderson's views upon the
latest Balkan muddle were missing
from the Blade the following morn
ing. Norton, instead Of returning to
the generals and fulfilling his assign
ment like 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. Il overhead a word
or two while he was talking in the
booth. All your telephone booths are
ramshackle affairs, you use them so
constantly. l tried to find you, but
you were out Of sight. Now, tell me
what happened"
"Sh!" warned Norton as he slied
Florence coming down the stairs.
''I thought you couldn't come!" she
cried. But ten o'clock!"
"I changed my mind" ne 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 signified
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 49 Elm street.
"Ah! we must not forget that mum.