The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-10-14
CHAPTER VIII.
The WIIes of a Woman.

The Wlles Of a Woman.
After the affair of the auto bandits
three of whom were killed-a lull fol-
lowed. If you're a sailor you know
what kind Of a lull I mean-blue-black
clouds down the southwest horizon,
the water crinkly, the booms %wabbling.
Suddenly a series of accidents" began
to happen to Norton. At first he did
not give the matter much thought.
The safe which fell almost at his feet
and crashed through the sidewalk
merely induced him to believe he was
lucky. At another time an automo-
bile came furiously around a corner
while he was crossing the street, and
only amazing agility saved him from
bodily hurt. The car was out Of sight
when he thought to recall the number.
Then came the jolt in the subway.
Only a desperate grab by one Of the
guards saved him from being crushed
to death. Even then he thought moth
ing. But when a new box Of cigarettes
arrived and he tried one and found 1t
strangely perfumed, and, upon further
analysis, found it to contain a Java
nese narcotic, a slow but sure death,
he became wide awake enough. They
were after him. He began to walk
carefully, to keep in public places as
often as he possibly could.
He was not really afraid Of death,
but he did abhor the thought Of It's
coming up from behind. Except for
the cigarettes they were all "acci-
dents;" he could not have proved any
thing before a jury of his intimate
friends.
He never entered an elevator with
out scrupulous care. He eve passed
under coverings over the sidewalks
where construction was going On.
Still, careful as he was, death con.
fronted him once more. 1t was his
habit to have his coffee and rolls
he rarely ate anything more for his
breakfast-set down outside his door
every morning. The coffee, being In a
silver thermos bottle, kept it's heat for
hours. When he took the stopper out
and poured forth a cup it looked oddly
black, discolored. 1t is quite probable
that had there been no series of "ac-
cidents" he would have drunk a cup
and died in mortal agony. 1t con-
tanned bichloride Of mercury.
Very quietly he set about to make
inquiries. This was really becoming
serious. In the kitchens downstairs
nothing could be learned. The maid
had set the thermos bottle before the
door at 1920. Norton had opened the
door at 1:30-three hours after. The
outlook was not the c%heerfulest. He
knew perfectly we'll why all these
things "happened;" he had interfered
with the plans Of the s%coundrels who
were making every possible move to
kidnap Florence Hargreave.
One afternoon he paid Florence a
visit. OF course he told her nothing.
They had become secretly engaged
the day after he had rescued her from
the auto bandits. They were secretly
engaged because Florence wanted it
so. For once Jones suspected moth
ing. Why should he? He had trou-
bles enough. AS a matter Of fact,
Norton was afraid Of him in the same
as a boy is afraid Of a police
man.
But on this day, when the time
came, he accosted the butler and drew
him into the pantry.
Jones, they are after me now"
You? Explain"
Norton briefly recounted the DELHI
crate attempts against his life.
"You see, I'm not liar enough to
say that I'm not worried. l am, dev-
ilishly worried. I'm not worth any
ransom. I'm in the way, and they
seem determined to put me out Of it"
ITO any other man l would say
travel. But to you l say when you
leave your rooms don't go where you
first thought you would-that is, some
usual haunt. They'll be everywhere,
near your restaurants, your clubs, your
office. You're a methodical young
man; become cratic. Keep away
from here for at least three days, but
always call me up by telephone some
time during the day. Never under any
circumstance, unless l send for you,
come here at night. Only one man
now watches the house during the
day, but five are prowling around af-
ter dark. They might have instruc-
tons to shoot you on sight. l can't
spare you just at present. Mr.. Nor
ton. You've been a godsend; and if
it seems that sometimes did not