The midland journal., 1914-05-29


heaven and earth to tind out who had
been back or the abduction. Let her
make her accusations. He was out
Of it.
"Mademoiselle." said the great po-
liceman soberly, this is grave ac-
cusation to make"
T make it, nevertheless" replied
Nora She sat stifiy in her chair. her
face colorless, dark circles under her
eyes. She never looked toward Court
landt.
"But Monsieur Courtlandt has Of
fered an alibi such as we cannot ig-
more. More than that, his integrity
is vouched for by the gentleman at
his side, whom doubtless mademoi-
selle recognizes"
Nora eyed the great man doubtfully.
what is the gentleman to your
she was interrogated.
Absolutely nothing" contemptu-
ously
The minister inspected his rings.
"FIe has annoyed me at various
times" continued Nora; ''that Is all.
And his actions on Friday night war
rant every suspicion have enter
tanned against him.
The chief Of police turned toward
the bandaged chauffeur. "You recog-
nize the gentleman ?"
NO, monsieur, never saw him be-
fore. 1t was an old man who engaged
me-"
Go on"
"He said that mademoiselle's old
teacher was very i'll and asked for as
sistance. left mademoiselle at the
house and drove away I was hired
from the garage. That is the truth,
monsieur"
Nora smiled disbelievingly. Doubt
less he had been paid we'll for that
lie.
"And you?" asked the chief of No
ra's chauffeur.
HI is certainly the gentleman, mon
sieur, who attempted to bribe me-"
THAT is true" said Courtlandt with
utmost calmness.
"Mademoiselle, If Monsieur Court
landt wished, he could accuse you Of
attempting to shoot him.
1T was an accident. His sudden ap-
pearance in my apartment frightened
me. Besides, l believe a woman who
lives comparatively alone has legal
and moral right to protect herself
from such unwarrantable intrusions.
wish him no physical injury, but /
am determined to be annoyed by him
no longer"
The minister's eyes sought Court
landt's face obliquely. Strange young
man, he thought. From the express
sion Of his face he might have been a
spectator rather than the person most
vitality concerned in this little scene.
And what pair they made!
Monsieur Courtlandt, you will give
me your word of honor not to annoy
mademoiselle again?" -
Il promise never to annoy her
again"
For the briefest moment the blazing
blue eyes clashed with the calm brown
ones. The latter were first to deviate
from the line. 1t was not agreeable
to look into pair of eyes burning
with the hate of ones self Perhaps
this conflagration was intensified by
the placidity of his gaze. If only there
had been some sign of anger. of con.
tempt. anything but this incredible
tranquility against which she longed
to cry out! She was too wrathful to
notice the quickening throb of the
veins on his temples.
"Mademoiselle, l find no case
against Monsieur Courtlandt, unless
You wish to appear against him for his
forcible entrance to your apartment 2
Nora shook her head. The chief OF
police stroked his mustache to hide
the fieeting smile. A peculiar case,
the like of which had never before
come under his scrutiny! "Circum-
stantial evidence. we know, points to
him; but we have also an alibi which
Is incontestable. We must look else
where for your abductors. Think;
have you not some enemy? Is there
no one who might wish you worry
and inconvenience? Are your asso-
ciates all loyal to you? Is there any
| jealousy?"
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