The Washington times., 1914-10-04

4 his vigilance in that part OF the zane
He did not care to lose sight of Jones
whom he was positive. was ready 10
flight if the slightest opportunity offer
ed itself
Norton went back to the primros'
raths of love; and sometimes he "ouit
forget all about such a thing as IN
u Black Hundred. So the summer day:
went by. With the lilacs and the rose
smbowerinS the Hargreave horne. Blu
| Norton took note of the fact that Flor
| ence was no longer the light hearted
! school girl he had first met. Her trial
mad made a Serious woman of her, anC
| perhaps this phase was ali the more en-
+: chanting to him. who had his serious
| side also. Her young mind was like al
| Italian garden, always opening new Wis
! tas for his admiring gaze.
| He went about his work the same a.
: Of old, intervie wing, playing detective
| fattenlnS his pay envelope by Special
to the sunday edition and some of th'
! lighter magazines. Sometimes he hat
vague dreams of writing a play.
! novel, and making a tremendous for
| tune like that chap Manders. who only
few years ag" had oeen his desf
ans-te. He really began Ihe 'irst chap
ter of novel: hut that has nothing Il
! do with this history.
All ready, then. The chess are once
more on the board. and 1t is the move
of the Black Hunured.
| viewed the sky wGarily. He could hear
! Florence playing rather cherries noe
! turne by Chopin. Fourteen weeks age
this warfare mad begun. and all he had
accomplished. he and those with hlm
! vas the death or incarceration or
! few inconsequent members of the BLACK
| Hundred. Always they struck and al
! ways he had to ward off He had al
| ways been on the defensive; and de-
| fensive fighter may last a long while
! but he seldom wins: and the butler
| knew that they must win or go down
! way route to the end; there could be
no draw. 1t all reminded him of thun-
redbolts: no man knew where they
were going to strike.
The telephone rang; at .he same mo-
nlent Florence left the piano. She
stopped at the threshold.
Hello, You? Where have you been?
What has happened?',
Who is it?" asked Florence, stepping
forward
Jones held up warning hand, and
Florence paused.
Yes. yes; | hear perfectly. o. You've
been working out their new quarters
Good. good! But be very careful, sir.
One never knows what MAJ happen.
They have been quiet for some time
now. All, You can't work the
ceiling this time? Window over
the way. Very good, sir But be care
full"
The word sir caught Florence's at
tention. She ran to Jones and seized
him by the arm.
Who was that" she cried. as he
turned away from the telephone.
Why
You said sir -
Jones eyes widened. ''1 did
Yes, and it's the first time | ever
heard you Use il over the telephone
Jones. YOU were talking TO my father
please. Miss Florence. do not ask me
any questions. l cannot answer any.
| dare not
But if | should command, Up the
pain of dismissal?" coldly.
'Ah. Miss Florence" and Jones tapped
his pocket. you forget that you can
not dismiss me by word. l am legally
in control here I am sorry that 'cu
have made me recall this fact to you.
Florence began to cry softly.
IT am sorry. very sorry. said the
butler. torn between the desire to com
fort her and the law that he had laid
down for himself. 1T is very gloomy
today. and perhaps We are all a little
depressed by 1t. ] am sorry: .,. -,
20. l realize, Jones. that all this un-
ending mystery and secrecy have set
purpose at back. Only, II does just
seem as n should go mad sometimes
with waiting and wondering
And if the truth must be told. 1t Is
for them to strike. Shall ] get you some
thing new to read? ! am going down
to the drug store and they have a cir
culatinC library"
Get me- anything you pleas. But Id
feel better With a little sunshine
That's universal replied Jones, go
ing into the hall for his hat.
Had the telephone rung again at that
moment il is quite probable that the
day would have come to close as the
CAV. before had. monot )nously. But the
ring came FIVE minutes after Jones Rad
left the house
is this the HarCroaVe place?
yes said Florence. who is it,
This is Miss Hargreave talking:
YES
This is DR.. Morse. am at the
Queen Hotel NJ Norton has been bad
" hurt and he wants YOU and Mr..
Homes TO cor1c ct once. We cannot tell
lust nov how serious the injury Is. He
is lust conscious. Shall | tell him Yhu
VII come immediately?'
Yes. yes
Florence snapped the -ec"iver on tho
hook. She wanted to ay. fiy. He was
hurt How, when. where?
Susan, Susan" she called.
What is it. Florence?' ASKED Susan.
running into the room.
come at once. o. Susan, I've been
,rcading something all 1ay long" Flor
enco struck the maids bell. MY wraps.
YCI will GO with me. Susan.
'Whera. Miss Florence asked the
maid. alive to her duty.
where? What is that you Nou? de-
manded Florence. who did not kno"
that this maid was a detective.
:Whv not walt TIL Mr.. .Ionas re-
turns" she suggested patiently. .
And 1T the man love die"
v"hnmcntlN.
Al least YOU will leav" word where
,n,I are going Miss Florence"
The Queen Hotel. And II you say
another word I'll discharge you COME
susan 49,
There happened to he taxicab CON
venicntly near Cas Nroon took care
there should be-. and Florence at once
engaged it. She did not see the man
liding in the bushes. The two young
women stepped into the taxlcab ana
were driven off. They had been gone
less than five minutes when Jones re-
turned with his purchase. to find the
house empty of its most valuable asset
rp only at the maid,