The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1914-12-23
CHAPTER XXI.
A Packet Of Papers.

n RACKET OF FdPeTS.
Jim said nothing at first about his
adventure to Jones, whom he met
half an hour later.
WAS it necessary to keep that in
visible letter." he asked.
mo" said Jones.
Would it have given our affairs a
serious turn II it had fallen into alien
hands?"
Decidedly" answered Jones. ut
would mean fight for the Black Hun
dred or a long time under cover, If
our friend Braine learned that Russia
was now taking an active interest IN
the doings of the Black Hundred. And
eventually all our work would have
to be done over again"
"Aht"
"You look bit mussed up. Any.
thing happened?" asked the keen-eyed
butler.
Nothing much. I made cigarette
out of the letter and smoked it"
Jones chuckled. 'I see that you
have had an adventure Of some sort;
but it can watt
'tIt can
Because I want you to pack of to
Washington"
Washington"
eyes. I want you to interview
those officials who are most familiar
with the extradition laws"
"a new kink?"
what I wish to learn is this: Can
a man, formerly undesirable, take out
naturalization papers and hold to the
protection Of the United States gov.
eminent? That is to say, poisoner,
menaced by Siberia, becomes an Am
erican citizen. He is abducted and
carried back to Russia. Could he look
to this government for protection?
That is what I want you to find out"
"That will be easy. When shall /
start?"
CAS- soon as you can pack your
grip"
That's always packed" replied the
reporter. "You see, I'm eternally
shunted bither and yon, at a moments
notice, so I always have an extra grip
packed for quick travel"
"Tne Russian agent wants Braine,
Vroon, and the countess; and tonight
I'm going to try to point them out to
him. It would satisfy me more than
anything I know to eliminate this
precious trio in Russian fashion. It's
thorough; and once accomplished,
good-day to the Black Hundred in Am
erica. The organization in Russia
has still some political significance,
but on this side of the water it is
merely an aggregation of merciless
thugs"
"I'll take the first train out. But
you will tell Florence?"
Surely"
"And take care Of your own heels.
You were watched at the hotel"
~ know it; but the watcher could
learn nothing. Henri Servan as a name
will suggest nothing to the fool who
followed me. Besides, We both knew
that he was trying to peek through
the keyhole. That hotel, you know,
still retains the old-fashioned key
holes"
ITO keep the maids in good humor,
I suppose" laughed Jim. well, must
be on my way to make that flyer"
The two shook hands and Jim hur.
ried of. The butler watched him till
he disappeared down the subway.
He's good lad,' he murmured,
"and a brave lad; anu money is only
an incident in human affairs after all.
I'll be good angel and let the two
be happy, since they love each other
and have proved it in a thousand
ways"
Meanwhile the Russian agent settled
down before his writing portfolio; and
one or twice as he wrote he thought
he heard a sound outside the door.
No doubt this butler Of Hargreaves
had been watched and followed. BY
and by he rose, drew his revolver, and
tiptoed to the door obliquely so that
the watcher outside might not become
aware of his approach. Swiftly he
swung back the door and the member
Of the Black Hundred stumbled into
the room. Almost instantly the Rus'
sian caught him by the collar
held him up.