The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-07-25

appeared In the newspapers" replied Jones, as
Norton opened his batteries of Inquiries.
Mr.. Jones, l have known your master
several years, as you will recollect. There
never was a woman in this house, not even
among the servants. There are two in the
other room. Who are they? And what are
they doing here?"
Jones shook his head.
"Well, 1 can easily find out"
Jones barred his path, and for the first
time Norton gazed into the eyes of the man
servant. They were as hard as gun metal.
my dear Mr.. Jones, you ought to know
that sooner or later we reporters find out
what we seek"
Jones appeared to reflect. "Mr. Norton
you claim to be a friend of Mr.. Hargreave."
~ do not claim. 1 am. More than that
I do not believe he is dead. He was deep.
He had some relentless enemies-I don't know
wherefrom or what kind-and he is pretending
he's dead till this blows over and Is forgot
ten"
":You are not going to say that in your
newspaper" Jones was visibly agitated.
"Not till I can prove it."
"If l tell you who those young ladies are,
will you give me your word Of honor not to
write about them till l give my permission?"
Norton, having in mind the big story at
the end of this mysterious tangle, agreed.
"The elder is a teacher from a private
school; the other is Stanley Hargreave's
daughter" 49,
GOOD Lord!" .gasped the astonished re-
porter. He never mentioned the fact to me,
and we've been together in some tight places"
"He never mentioned it to any one but
me-" Jones again seemed to reflect. At last
he raised his glance to the reporter. Are
you willing to wait for a great story, the real
~story?"
eff there is one," answered Norton with
his usual caution. =
"On my word Of honor, you shall have
such a story as you never dreamt of, If you
will promise not to divulge it till the ap-
pointed time"
II agree ..-"
"The peace and happiness Of that child de-
pend upon how you keep your word"
That was sufficient for Norton. "Your
master knew me. He knew also that I am
: not a man who promises lightly. Now intro.
duce me to the daughter"
With plain reluctance Jones went about
the affair. Norton put a dozen perfunctory
questions to the girl. What he was In search
Of was not news but the sound of her voice.
In that quarter Of an hour he felt his heart
disturbed as 1t had never before been dis
turbed.
- Nov, MIR. Norton" said Jones gloemily,
" will you be SO, kind as to follow me?",l .~
Norton was led to Jones" bedroom. The
butler-valet closed the door and drew the win
dow shade. Always seeking shadows. This
did not impress the reporter at, the time; he
had no other thought but the story. Jones
then sat down beside the reporter and talked
in an undertone. When he had done he took
Norton by the elbow and gently but forcibly
led him down to the front door and ushered
him forth. Norton jumped into his taxicab and
returned to his rooms, which were at the top
of the huge apartment hotel. He Immediately
called up his managing editor.
"Helloi This Is Norton. Put Griffin ON
the Hargreave yarn. I'm off on another DEAL
/" But Hargreaye was a friend OF yours
protested the managing editor.
4 + knowit. But YOU know me wen enough,