The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1915-04-29
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CHAPTER XIII
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The Secret of the Million

tess olga haQ QarCeO up the SCdirS uuT-
ing the struggle between Braine and
his captors. The police who had fol-
lowed her were recalled to pursue one
of the lesser rogues. This left Olga
free for q moment. She stole out and
down as far as the landing.
Servan, the Russian agent, stood
waiting for the taxicab to roll up to
the porte cochere for himself, Braine
and Vroon. Norton had taken Flor
ence by the hand, ostensibly to con-
duct her to the million. Suddenly |
Braine made dash for liberty. Nor
ton rushed after him. Just as he |
reached Braine shot was heard.
Braine wheeled upon his heels and
crashed to the floor.
Olga, intent upon giving injury to
Norton, whom she regarded equally
with Hargreave as having brought
about the downfall, had hit her lover
instead. With a cry Of dispair she
dashed back into Florence's room,
quite ready to end it all. She raised
the revolver to her temple, shuddered,
and lowered the weapon; SO tena-
ciously do we cling to life.
Below they were all stunned by the
suddenness of the shot. Instantly
they sought the fallen mans side and
hasty examination gave them the
opinion that the man was dead. Hap
PLY doctor was on the way, Servan
having given call, as one of the
Black Hundred had been badly
wounded.
But what to do with that mad wom-
an upstairs? Hargreave advised them
to wait. The house was surrounded;
she could not possibly escape save by
one method, and perhaps that would
be the best for her. Hargreave
looked gravely at Norton as he Of
fered this suggestion. The reporter
understood; the millionaire was will
ing to give the woman chance.
"And you are my father?" said
Florence still bewildered by the amaz-
ing events "But don't understand"
her gaze rowing from the real Jones
to her father. s
81 don't doubt it child" replied Har-
greave. "I'l explain. When / hired
Jones here, who is really Jedson OF
Scotland Yard, did so because we
looked alike when shavcn. It was
Jedson here who escaped by the bal
loon; it was Jedson who returned the
five thousand to Norton; it was jed
SON who wac wounded in the arm;
it was he who watched the doings Of
the Black Hundred ard kept me rea-
sonably well informed. I myself
guarded you, my child. Last night,
unbeknown to you, left, and the real
Jones-for it is easter to call him
that-took my place."
"And I never saw the difference!"
exclaimed Florence.
"That is natural" smiled the IA
Their. "You were thinking Of Norton
here instead Of me. Eh?"
Florence blushed.
"Well, why not? Here, Norton!'
The millionaire took Flo-ence's hand
and placed it in the reporters. at
seems that I've got to lose her after
all. Kiss her, man; in heavens name,
kiss her!"
| And Norton threw his arms around
the girl and kissed her soundly, care
less of the fact that he was observed
by both enemies and friends.
Suddenly the policeman who had
been standing by the side Of Braine
ran into the living room.
"He's alive! Braine is alive! He
just stirred!"
"What!" exclaimed Norton and
Hargreave in q single breath.
Eyes, sir! saw his hands move.
It's good thing we sent for a doc
tor. He ought to be along here about
now"
Even as he spoke the bell rang, and
they all surged out into the hall, for
getting for the moment all about the
million. Olga hadn't killed the man,
then. The doctor knelt beside the
striker man and examined him. He
shrugged.
evil he live?"
"Certainly. A scalp wound that
laid him out for few minutes. He'll
be all right in few days. He was
lucky. A quarter Of an inch lower
and he'd have passed in his checks"
"Good!" murmered Servan. $50
our friend will accompany me back
to good Russia? Oh, we'll be kind to
him during the journey. Have him
taken to the hospital ward at the
Tombs. Now for the little lady up
stairs"
"A moment later Brains opened his
ewes and the policeman assisted him
tn his feet. Servan with a nod or
49, 30 ha1y1 tho vUns1nAad