The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-12-30
what were you doing outside my

what were you doing outside my
door?"
The man did not answer. He was
trying to collect his thoughts.
"a spy of some sort, eh?'
I'm a detective" said - man
finally, thinking he saw his way clear
"And what did you expect to learn
by looking through the keyhole Of my
door?"
Servan laughed. "Show me your
badge Of authority"
The man fumbled in his upper
pocket, hoping against hope that the
muzzle of the revolver would waver.
You're an ordinary thief" declared
the Russian; "and as such l shall
instantly hand you over to the hotel
authorities unless you tell me exactly
who and what you are"
The man remained dumb. He hung
between the devil and the deep sea-
If he told the truth the organization
would soon learn the>truth; if he kept
still he would be lodged in jail, per-
haps indefinitely, for he hadn't saw
ory police record. Presently his
nerve gave way in face Of the steady
eye and hand, and he confessed the
why and wherefore he had sought the
keyhole Of Serval's room.
I'VE are after this butler. Where
ever he goes we follow"
"Well, you've wasted your time, my
man. ALL I am here for is to take
over some property MI. Hargreave
left in France for sale. I know
nothing about your private feuds.
Now, get out. But keep out Of my
way; am not a peaceful man"
The spy tumbled. out as he had
tumbled in, by an act Of gravity; and
Servan was alone. He spent two
days in comparative idleness. Then
things began to wake up.
For a long time the leather box
across which was inscribed Stanley
Eargreave" lay in peace undisturbed-
4 busy spider had woven trap
across the handle to the quaint lock.
The box was still badly stained from
its immersion IN the salt water. At
a certain time it was quietly with
drawn from its hiding place. It was
stealthily onened. a hand reached IN
and when i. withdrew packet OF
papers was also withdrawn. The box
was again locked and lowered; and
presently the spider returned to ind
that his cunning trap had been to-
tally destroyed. With the infinite pa
tierce Of his kind he began the weaT-
Ing of another trap. Perhaps this
would be more successful than its
predecessor.
Later Henri Servan received a tele-
phone call. He was informed that his
purpose in America would be real
lied by his presence at such and such
a box that night at the opera Fur
ther information could not be given
over the telephone. Servan seemed
well satisfied. He dressed carefully
that evening, called up the Office clerk
and inquired il his box tickets for the
opera had arrived. He was informed
that they had. Instantly the spy, who
had dared to linger about the hotel
overhearing this conversation, deter
mined to notify Braine at once. And
at the same time, Norton, in disguise,
determined not to lose sight Of this
man whom he mad set himself to
watch.
The spy left by one entrance and
Jim by another. Jim had learned
what he desired: that the Russian
agent would be followed to the opera
and that it was going to be difficult
to hand the documents to him. The
SPY entered drug store and tele-
phoned. Jim waited outside. When
the man came out he strolled up the
street and entered the nearest saloon.
Jim's work was dore.
It was Braine's lieutenant, however,
who took the news to Braine.
Eve have succeeded"
"Goodp said Braine.
e'He will go to the opera. He VIII
have box. Doubtless they have ar
ranged to deliver the papers there"
'And the next thing is to get the
number Of his box" This Braine had
no difficulty in doing. $50 that's all