The Bottineau courant. (Bottineau, Bottineau County, N.D.) 1895-1929, 1914-04-10

gee that her dark eyes were not overly
happy. Il cannot ask you In. I'm
afraid. l do not know the custom on
such an occasion. Does anybody? l
an alone with my maid. Hal Bent
ky, when l wrote to him for a key to
this place, told me of your being here
and said that | was to put myself I'M
der your protection"
Delighted. I'm sure" he murmured.
II shall not try to impose on you"
she went on. The whole affair Is so
unusual as to be almost absurd. |
have come here to get something
and | haven't the least idea how to
proceed. | came because | must have
it-so much depends on it,
~Prophetically Mr.. Magee clutched In
his pocket the package for which he
had done battle.
81 NAV be too late The girls eyes
grew wide. THAT would be terribly
unfortunate. | do not wish you to he
injured serving me- She lowered
he's voice. But if there is any way
in which you can help me-in this diff
ficulty Il can never be grateful
enough. Downstairs in the safe there
is, l believe. a package containing a
large sum of money"
Mr.. Magee's hand closed convulsive-
~ in his pocket.
"If there is any way possible" said
the girl, 81 must obtain that package.
I give you my word l have as much
right to it as any one who will ap-
pear at the inn. The honor and hap
piness of one who is very dear to me
are involved"
With the eyes of a man in u dream
Mr.. Magee looked into the face Of the
latest comer to Baldpate.
Hal Bentley is an old friend and a
bully chap" he said. 1T will be a
great pleasure to serve a friend OF
his" He paused, congratulating him
self that these were words. idle words.
when did you arrive. may I ask?"
II believe you were having dinner
when l came" she answered. Mr..
Bentley gave me a key to the kitchen
door. and We found a back stairway.
There seemed to be a company below
Il wanted to see only you"
Il repeat said Mr.. Magee, II shall
be happy to help you IL l can" His
word to another lady. he rejected. was
binding. II suggest that there 10 no
harm in waiting until morning."
Butt Am afraid it was tonight
she began.
II understand" Magee replied. The
plans went wrong. You may safely
let your worries rest until tomor-
row."
You are very kind" she said. II
hardly expected to be here the night
through. It Is rather cold. but am
sure We have rugs and coats enough"
Mr.. Magee's duty was clear.
"I1l build you 4 fre." he announced.
The girl seemed distressed ut the
thought.
mo. i couldn't let YOU she said. II
am sure it isn't necessary. l will say
good night now. I am Myra Thorn
hill of ReutOn. Until tomorrow" She
went in and closed the door.
Mr.. Magee sat Imply down on the
cold stair. All the glory was gone
from the scene be had pictured a mo-
ment ago. He had the money. yes.
the money procured in valiant battle.
but at the moment he bore the prize
to his lady another appeared from the
dark to claim it. What should be do?
Mr.. Magee unlocked the door Of No.
I and entered. Lighting his candles
and prodding the fire. he composed a
note to the waiting girl in II:
Everything all right. Sleep peace
fully. ] am on the job. Will see you
tomorrow. Mr.-Billy."
Slipping this message under her
door. the ex-knight hurried away to
avoid an interview and sat down In
his chair before the fire.
Il must think he muttered. IL
must get this thing straight"
For an hour he pOndered, thrashing
out as best he could this mysterious
game in which he played a leading
part une1uipped with a book Of rules.
Tomorrow is another day. he re-
Elected. I'll solve this whole thing
then. They can't go on playing with
out me. I've got the ball"
He took the package from his pocket.
Its seals had already been broken.
Untying the strings. he began careful
~ to unwrap the paper. the thick yel-
low banking manila and then the oiled
inner wrapping. So finally he opened
up the solid mass of-what? he look
ed closer. Crisp. beautiful 1000 bills.
Whew! He had never seen a bill of
this size before. And here were 200
Of them.
He wrapped the package up once
more and prepared for bed. Just as
he was about to retire he remembered
Mr.. Bland. bound and gagged below.
He went into the hall with the idea OF
releasing the unlucky haberdasher, but
from the Office rose the voices of the
mayor, Max and Bland himself. Peace
evidently had been declared between
them. Mr.. Aagee returned to No. Z.
locked all the windows. placed the
~ ~aa-AA