The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-01-08
CHAPTER VIII.
The WiIes Of a Woman.


three of whom were killed-a lull fol
lowed. If you're sailor you know
what kind of lull mean-blue-black
clouds down the southwest horizon
the water crinkly, the booms wabbling.
Suddenly 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
bile came furiously around 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 desperate grab by one of the
guards saved him from being crushed
to death. Even then he thought moth
ing. But when new box of cigarettes
arrived and he tried one and found it
strangely perfumed, and, upon further
analysis, found 1t to contain Java
nese narcotic, 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 its
coming up from behind. Except for
the cigarettes they we're all "acci-
DENTS" he could not have proved any
thing before jury OF his intimate
friends.
He never entered an elevator with
out scrupulous care. He never passed
under coverings over the sidewalks
where construction was going on.
Still, careful as he was, death con-
fronted him once more. It 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 its heat for
hours. When he took the stopper out
and poured forth cup it looked oddly
black, discolored. 1t is quite probable
that had there been no series of "ac-
he would have drunk a cup
and died in mortal agony It 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 |
1oor at 1920. Norton had opened the
loor at 1:30-three hours after. The
Knew perfectly well why all these
Kings happened" he had interfered
With the plans of the scoundrels who
we're making every possible move to
lidnap Florence Hargreave.
One afternoon he paid Florence a
'isit. OF course he told her nothing.
they had become secretly engaged
he day after he had rescued her from
he auto bandits. They were secretly
because Florence wanted it
o. For once Jones suspected moth
ng. Why should he? He had trou-
les enough. AS matter of fact,
Jorton was afraid of him In the same
ense as a boy is afraid of police
ian.
But on this day, when the time
anne, he accosted the butler and drew
i'm into the pantry.
Jones. they are after me now"
you? Explain"
Norton briefly recounted the DELHI
rate attempts against his life.
"You see, I'm not liar enough to
~ that I'm not worried. l am, dew I
lshly worried. I'm not worth any /
lnsom. I'm in the way, and they !
sem determined to put me out OF 1t. = r
ITO any other man l would say l
avel But to you say when you Q
ave your rooms don't go where you \
st thought you would-that is. some q
Iual haunt. They'll be everywhere, {
,ar your restaurants, your clubs, your
nee. You're q methodical young g
an; become erratic. Keep away 7"
ON here for at least three days, but I
ways call me up by telephone some
ne during the day. Never under any g
unless ! send for you, Il
me here at night. Only one man s
w watches the house during the g
y, but Ave are prowling around af- g
T dark. They might have instruc- al
ms to shoot you on sight. I can t p'
are you just at present, Mr.. Nor hi
4. You've been godsend; and II "
seems that sometimes / did not Ii,