The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-12-25
CHAPTER XVII.
Plots.

Plots.
Now on the evening Of that day
upon which Pedro first learned of
Hills disappearance. and shutting the
studio door behind him, sailed forth
in the wake of the anxious Guneviere,
the ground floor of the Muldoon place
house served to stage curious scene.
1t was past eight o'clock when the
first actor appeared, and, entering the
large, old-fashioned parlor, proceeded
to light the lamp upon the center
table. 1t was Rowe, or Ricardo Val
DEE himself, and the anxious manner
In which he glanced at the clock be-
trayed the fact that he was expecting
the arrival of some one. After he had
settled the light to his satisfaction he
went to small safe that occupied one
corner of the room, and taking key
from his watchchain, worked the com
binAtion, and presently swung open
the heavy door.
He knelt before the open safe, and
extracting a little packet of official.
looking documents, proceeded to com
pare one Of them with another which
he took from his breast pocket. The
comparison seemed to satisfy him, for
presently he put all back in their
pigeonhole, including that which he
had been carrying, and then looked
at the clock again. 1t still wanted a
moment or two to the hour of his ap
txxtv to
place In security a considerable sum
of money In bank notes. Then the
doorbell tinkled, and, hastily locking
the safe, he arose to answer the sum.
mons.
The man who stood, hat in hand, at
the entrance was none other than he
who, in disguise of q wayfarer, had at
tempted to rob Iris on the lonely road
that autumn day, long past. Now he
was shaved, CARRIED In the inconspicu.
GUS clothing of responsibility, and II
would have taken a second glance to
tell the chance observer that the face
was untrustworthy. Rowe made a
welcoming gesture, and the man
stepped in, laying aside his outer gar
ments.
81 am the first. see," said he in the
same language. why do we meet
here? Is 1t safer"
"Hill may be missed" explained
Rowe, and we are certainly being
watched. Consequently this place Is
safer than any other. To all appear
ances it will merely be an evening
party. Any news?"
Eyes," said the other, II have some
thing for YOU"
"Give it to me before the others
come" said Rowe nervously. 1T is
from Venezuela. of course"
Certainly" said the other, land
fortunate 1t is for you, my friend, that
I am in the employ of the post Office OF
the United States. Otherwise It is
scarcely likely that the millionaire as
phalt contractors greetings from the
Venezuelan government would come
into your hands"
"You are we'll paid" retorted Rowe
"and in the future you shall be paid
even better, but of that later. Let me
see what they say. or late 1t has been
very difficult to alter the communica
lions in such way as to render them
sufficiently antipathetic. They are
growing rather friendly toward him
and on several occasions have been
obliged to suppress letters entirely
That one which you allowed to reach
him was nearly fatal 10 our plans"
But you repaired the damaged"
with infinite risk and pains!" re-
torted Rowe. Although have opened
and altered SO many epistles both OF
his and theirs and have become pretty
expert. You must remember that the
man we are dealing with at this end
at least, is no fool"
Eyes, vanderpool Is no fool!" agreed
the man.
Hush! No names. beg!" warned
Rowe. land lower your voice, my
friend" Then he continued in more
composed tone. ct Is essential that
he should go on believing that we are
necessary to his success. Once he dis
covered that the Venezuela secretary
of commerce would be willing to treat
with him direct, we should lose our
hol1 upon n,:n, and, with him, our
chances Of improving our fortunes
But come, let us see your latest find!
The man fshed for a moment In the
inside pocket Of his coat. and then