Gilpin observer., 1914-01-15
CHAPTER VII.

For a moment Blake did not an
swer. Nor could Wanda read anything
from his utterly expressionless face.
Then he said:
DO you know why did that?"
Probably" replied Wanda gravely.
because you wanted Mr.. Standish to
come here"
He eyed her seanchingly. But her
face gave no sign that her reply had
been intended as impertinence.
~"H'm!" he vouchsafed. You're a
bright girl"
Thank you. SIR" she replied de-
murely.
Again he glanced at her moveless
features in quick doubt Then, evil
IDENTIFY making up his mind, he went
on:
you heard the story was telling
those men over there? The story
about Standish and the Woman?"
Il happened to catch part of It,"
You happened to catch every word
Of It," he corrected. And now. why
do you suppose told such an all-im-
portant secret loud enough for tele-
phone girl to hear IT."
ing" she said frankly. But I can't
figure 1t out"
Then I'll tell you" retorted Blake.
nodding approval at her unembarrass-
ed candor. Whats the one thing we
need to turn that story from windy
piece Of campaign gossip into the dead
liest weapon ever forged in Washing
ton?"
"The Woman's name" replied Wan.
da. at once.
"Good!" applauded Blake. You've
got a real brain under that metal re-
ceiver you wear. You seem to have
this situation worked out as clear as
have. Maybe. now. you can guess
what that Woman's name is worth to
US. How about it?"
Wanda rolled her big eyes cell
ingward after the manner of stupid
child who seeks in space the answer
to teachers question.
"Maybe-maybe "a million dol
lars" she hazarded timidly, at length.
Blake grinned appreciation of the
bit of acting. and was not In the very
least deceived by it-as Wanda had
perfectly well known he would not be.
Nothing stingy about your ideas.
young LADY," he commented. Maybe
I'd better put them straight. Do you
want to make hundred dollars?''
"A hundred dollars?" she echoed in
a wide-eyed wonder Of innocence that
Saint Cecilia at her best could not
possibly have equaled. "A whole hun
dred dollars? Why, how could a poor
telephone operator like me make SO
much money!"
Here's the idea," replied Blake,
wearying of matching a cudgel against
hatpin. and coming straight to the
pith of the matter. I've sent for
Standish to come here because l want
to have a talk with him. When I'm
through. I'll go away. And the chances
are that he'll go straight to the tele-
phone and call UP some one. It's that
some ones number l want"
OH" exclaimed Wanda, smiling
brightly at her own comprehension.
And that's worth hundred dollars?"
Yes. And II you can hear what he
says on the phone I'll make 1t two
hundred"
For an instant the innocent wonder
ing smile again illumined Wanda's up
turned face. Then, like Blake, she
evidently wearied OF futile word-fenc-
ing. for she said, incisively:
II see. I've got the idea. You'll
spring this story OF the Woman on
him. You'll make him think you've
almost got her in your net You'll try
to scare him into hustling to the near
est telephone and warning her. He'll
know you're having him watched. So
he won't dare to go to her in person
with his warning or send her a letter.
He's got too much sense for that And
telegram would be too risky. So
nothing's left but the phone He'll
call her up. You'll get the number.
And then it'll be cinch for your men
to find the Womans name In no time.
and all about her. The full story
names and all-can be circulated on
the floor as soon as the house sits. to-
night. And good-by then to Mr..
Standish.''
SAY" drawled Blake In genuine ad.
miration. You've sure got brain.
Wen have to get you in the secret
service. Or. II you want Job in my
office at double what you're getting
here-bht we can talk about all that
afterward. WILL"
You're sure the number will give
you the clue to the Woman?"
Absolutely"
And don't you think one little hun.
dred dollars is pretty cheap price
to pay for information that will bring
you millions?"
Sheer innocence had reached its
towering acme-the summit whereon
rests pure wisdom. Blake regarded
the girl from under his bushy brows
'Well?" he demanded. III a whole
hundred dollars has shrunk SO quick.
ly into little hundred dollars what
price strikes you as fair?"