The Climax-Madisonian. (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1914-1917, 1914-12-30
CHAPTER XXI.
a Packet of PAPERS.


adventure to Jones, whom he met
half an hour later.
Was it necessary to keep that in
visible letter." he asked.
NO" said Jones.
Would it have given our affairs
serious turn If it had fallen into alien
hands?"
Decidedly" answered Jones. at
would mean flight for the Black Hun
bred 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"
"Ahi"
You look a bit mussed up. Any
thing happened?" asked the keen-eyed
butler.
Thing much made cigarette
out OF the letter and smoked II.
Jones chuckled. "1 see that you
have had an adventure of some sort;
but it can wait"
ct can"
Because I want you to pack off to
Washington"
Washington"
Yes. 1 want you to interview
those officials who are most familiar
with the extradition laws"
"a new kink?"
What / 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, a 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 1 want you to find out"
That will be easy. When shall 1
stalt?"
AS soon as you can pack your
strip"
That's always packed" replied the
reporter. You see. I'm eternally
shunted hither and yon, at moments
notice, so l always have an extra grip
packed for quick travel"
THE 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
anvthing l 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 F1orence?"
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
VIII suggest nothing to the fool who
fcnowed me. Besides. we both knew
tnat ne was trying to peek through
the keyhole. That hotel, you know,
still retains the oId-fashioned key
holes"
To keep the maids in good humor,
suppose" laughed Jim. well, 1 must
De on my way to make that flyer"
The two shook hands and Jim hur-
ried of The butler watched him till
ne disappeared down the subway.
He's a good lad" he murmured,
and brave lad; and money is only
an incident in human affairs after all.
III be good angel and let the two
De 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
once or twice as he wrote he thought
ne heard sound outside the door.
NO doubt this butler Of Hargreave's
mad been watched and followed. By
ana oy ne rose, drew his revolver. and
uptoed 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
san caught him by the collar and
held him up.
door,"
The man did not answer. He was
irving TO collect his thoughts.
"A spy Of some sort, eh7"
I'm a detective" said the man
nnaliy, thinking he saw his way clear.
And what did you expect to learn
door,"
servan laughed. SHOW me your
badge Of authority"
The man fumbled in his upper |
pocket. hoping against hope that the
muzzle OF the revolver would waYer |
You're an ordinary thief declared |
the Russian; ~and as such ! shall |
Instantly hand you over to the hotel |
authorities unless you tell me exactly !