The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1914-10-17
THE MILLION DOLLAR MYSTERY!
scREEN READ THE STORY IN THE STAR

/ When Norton arrived NJ the Hen
derson place. a footman Informed
him from the yeranda that Gen
henderson was al 40 Elm at foI
the evening. and II would be wise
90 call there. Jim nodded his
thanks and set off In haste for A.
Elm st The footman did not enter
the house. but hurried down the
steps and skunk off among the ad
iaccnt shrubbcry. Ills mission wal
over with.
The house In Elm NJ. was Brasne'f
suburban establishment lie went
Their. occasionally To hibernate. M
II were. 10 grow n new skin when
close pressed. The caretaker was
man rightly called Samson. lie
was IA bruiHcf Of the bouncer type
IL was fast work for Hraine "a
get out there. II the man disguised
as a footman played his cards bad
~. Braine would have all his trouble
for nothing. He disguised himself
with that internal cleycrness which
had long since made him a terror
20 the police. who were looking for
ten different men instead OF one
lie knew that Norton would under
stand instantly that he was not the
general. but on the other hand. he
would not know that he was ad
dressing Braine.
so the arch connpirator waited .
and 80 Norton arrived and was uah
cred into tho room. A single glance
WAS enough 20 satisfy The reporter
always keen eyed and obacrvant.
Il wish to see Gen. Henderson.
hc said politely.
Gen. Henderson is doubtless nj
his own house"
-Ahf"
Don't be aiarmed--yct." said
braine. smoothly.
Il am not alarmed" replied Nor
ton. Il am only ehagrinod. Since
Gen. Henderson IL not to be found
here. munt DO excused"
Il VIII excuse you. presently
"Ahi begin 20 see"
Indeed" Knocked Braine.
Il have tumbled or walked into
trap"
"A keen mind like yours must
have recognized that fact the mo
msnt you discovered was not ths
general"
= attn indebted to the Black Hun
dredy" coolly,
Precisely We do not wish you
III. Mr. Norton"
TO be sure. no." ironically
What with falling safes, poisoned
clgarcts. and 30 forth. can readily
see that you have my welfare al
heart What puzzled mo was the
audiences with which these affec
tionate signs ceased"
You're n man OF heart" said
Bralne with genuine admiration
These Rffectionate signs. aa you
call them. ceased because for the
time being YOU ceased 10 be n men
ace You have become that ono,
more. and here you are"
And what are you going To dc
with me. now that you have got
mc7"
There will be two courses.
Bralne reached into a drawer and
drew out thick roll OF bills
There are here something like
$1,000"
quite tidy sum: enough for q
chap 10 get married on"
The two men eyed each other
steadily. And In his heart Brains
sighed. For he saw in this younF
mans eyes incorruptibility.
1T is yours on one condition, "
said Braine. reaching out his foo,
stealthlly toward the button which
would summon Samson.
And that U.s." interpolated Nor
ton. that | Join the Black Hun
dred."
"Or the great beyond. my lad
took up Braine. his voice crisp and
cold.
Norton could not repress a SILVER
Where had he heard this voice be
fore7 Brainel He stiff
fened.
Murder In cold blood7 ?" he man
aged to say.
'Tndefinite imprisonment
Choose"
II have chosen"
Hint" Braine rose and went over
10 the sideboard for the brandy
I'm going 10 offer you drink e
show you that personally there are
no hard feelings. You are IN the
way. After you. our friend, Jones
This brandy is not poisoned. neither
are the glasses. Choose either and
| I'll drink first. We are all desper
ate men, Norton; and we stop al
nothing. Your life hangs by hair
DO you know where Hargreave is?'
Norton eyed HIS liquor thought
fully.
DO you know whore the money
ISL"
Norton smelt OF the brandy.
IL am sorry" said Braine. 81
should have liked to win over a
head like yours"
Norton nonchalantly took out his
watch. and that bit OF bravado per
haps saved his life. In the case OF
his watch he saw brutal face be.
hind him. Without n tremor, Nor.
ton took up his glass.
II am sorry to disabpoint you,
he said. but shall neither Join
you nor 90 TO by-by"
Quick az a bird-shadow above
grass, he flung the brandy over his
shoulder into the face OF the man
behind. Sampson yelled with pain
Almost Mt the same instant Norton
pushed over the table. upsottinR