The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-08-08

Wow" N'ANSA% "O AuA just Or
dered, for there was nothing on his plate.
Norton walked over and laid his hand upon
Braine's shoulder. The man looked I'D with
mild curiosity.
"Why, Norton. sit down, sit down! Have
you had lunch? No? Join nae"
"Thanks. Came in for my breakfast V
said Norton, drawing out the chair. Braine
was sitting with his back to the wall on the
lounge-seat.
IL wonder If you newspaper men ever
eat a real true enough breakfast. 1 should
think the hours you lead would kill you of.
Anything new on the Hargreave story?"
"Tm not handling that" the reporter lied
cheerfully. Didn't want to. 1 knew him
rather intimately. I've a horror of dead peo-
pie, and don't want to be called upon to iden-
tify the body when they find it."
Then you think they will find it?"
81 don't know. It's a strange mixup.
I'm not on the story, mind you; but I was
in the locality of Duffy's warehouse late
last night and fell into a gunman rumpus."
Yes, I read about that. What were they
after?"
You've got me there. No one seems to
know. Some cock and bull story about there
being something valuable. There was"
"What was it? The report in this paper
does not say"
"Ten thousand bags Of coffee"
Braine lay back in his chair and laughed.
eff you want my OPINION said Norton,
"I believe the gunner were out to shoot I'D
another gang, and the police get wind of L."
Don't you think it about time the police
called a halt in this gunman matter?"
90, so long as they pot each other the
police look the other way. It saves a long
trial and passage up the river. Besides,
whenever they are robbed some big politician
manages to open the door for them. Great
Is the American voter
"Take Mr.. Norton's order, Luigi" said
Braine.
"a German pancake, buttered toast, and
coffee" ordered the reporter.
"Man, eat something"
=" It's enough for me-"
And you'll go all the rest of the day on
tobacco. I know something of you chaps. I
don't see how you manage to do it,"
FOOD is the least of our troubles. By
the way, may I ask you a few questions?
Nothing for print, unless you've got a new
book coming"
"Fire away
"What do you know about the Princess
Perigof?"
L me see. HIM. Met her first about
a year ago at a reception given to Nasimova.
A very attractive woman. 1 see quite a
lot of her. Why?"
"Well, she claims to be a sort Of aunt to
Hargreave's daughter"
She said something to me about that the
other night. You never know where you're
at in this world, do your"
The German pancake, the toast, the coffee
disappeared, and the reporter passed his
cigars.
"The president visits town today and I'm
of to watch the show. I suppose I'll have
to interview him about the tariff and all that
rot. When you start on a new book let me
know and I'll be your press agent"
"That's a bargain"
"Thanks for the breakfast"
Braine picked up his newspaper, smoked
and read. He smoked, yes, but he only pre-
tended to read. The young fool was clever,
but no man is infallible. He had not the
least suspicion; he saw only the newspaper
story. Still, in some manner he might stumble
upon the truth, and it would be just as wel
to tie the reporters hands effectually.
The rancor of early morning had been SUBJ
dued anger and quick temper never paid in
the long run, and no one appreciated this
fact better than Braine. To put Norton out
of the way temporarily was only a wise pre-
caution; it was not a matter of spite or
reprisal.
He paid the reckoning, left the restaurant,
and dropped into one of his clubs for a game
OF billiards. He drew quite a gallery about
the table. He won easily, racked his cue, and
sought the apartments of the princess.
What a piece of luck it was that Olga had
really married that old dotard, Perigoff! He
had left her a titled widow six months after
her marriage. But she had had hardly a
kopeck to call her own.
"Olga, Hargreave is alive. He was there
last night. But somehow he anticipated the
raid and had the police in waiting. The
question is, has he fooled us? Did he take
that million or did he hide it?' There is one
thing left; to get that girl. No matter where
Hargreave is hidden, the knowledge that she
is in my hands will bring him out into the
open"
N more blind alleys"
-" What's on your mind?"
She has never seen her father. She con-
fessed to me that she has not even seen a
photograph of him"
- There was a long pause.
"Do you understand me?'"' she asked.
BY the Lord Harry, I do! You've q
head on you worth two of mine. The very
simplicity of the idea will win out for ne.
Some one to pose as her father; a message
handed to her in secret; dire misfortune lie
nhnf ~yL .n 49, - s,nn5 1900 a-. IL 49,