The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1915-03-04
(Copyri
CHAPTER XXI.
A Packet Of Papers.

nail dH uOuT ldlCT.
Was it necessary to keep that il
visible letter." he asked.
No" said Jones.
Would it have given our affairs
serious turn if it had fallen into aliel
hands," t
Decidedly" answered Jones. II
would mean flight for the Black Hun
dred or a long time under cover. i
our friend Braine learned that Russia
was now taking an active interest il
the doings of the Black Hundred. Ant
eventually all our work would have
to be done over again"
"Ah!"
You look bit mussed up Any
thing happened" asked the keen-eyed
butler
Nothing much. made cigarette
out of the letter and smoked it,"
Jones chuckled Il see that you
have had an adventure of some sort;
but it can wait
1T can"
Because | want you to pack off to
Washington.
washington
Yes. | want you to interview
those officials who are most familiar
with the eStradtion laws"
"A new kink?"
What ! wish to learn is this: Can
man, formerly undesirable, take out
naturalization papers and hold to the
protection Of the United States gov
eminent? That is to. say 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 | want you to find out"
That will be easy. When shall
start?"
AS soon as you can pack your
grip"
That's always packed replied the
reporter. "Vou see, I'm eternally
shunted hther and yen, at moments
notice, so avs 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. 1t would satisfy me more than
anything I 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"
IN take the first train out. But
you will tell Florence?',
Surely"
And take care of your own heels.
You were watched at the hotel"
Il know it; but the watcher could
learn nothing. Henri SFvan as name
will suggest nothing to the fool who
followed me. Besides, we both knew
that he was trying to peek through
the keyhole. That hotel, you know,
still retains the old-fashioned key.
holes"
ITO keep the maids in good humor,
l suppose" laughed jim. WELL must
be on my way to make that flyer"
The two shook hands and Jim hur. I
ried of. The butler watched him till
ne disappeared down the subway. Z
Hes a good lad" he murmured. I
and a brave lad; and money is only
an incident in human affairs after all.
Ill be a good angel and let the two
be 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 |
he heard sound outside the door.
No doubt this butler of Hargreave's
had been watched and followed BY |;
and by he rose, drew his revolver and
fiptoed to the door obliquely SO that /
the watcher outside might not become
aware of his approach Swiftly he L
Iwung back the door and the member I
IT the Black Hundred stumbled into Il
he room. Almost instantly the Rus Z
'fan caught him by the collar and
held him up.
What we're you doing outside my a,
looro" =.
The man did not answer He was n
rying to collect his thoughts. a.
"A spy of some sort, eh?"
I'm q detective" said the man az
nally, thinking he saw his way clear.
And what did you expect to learn to
, looking through the keyhole of my "a
oor?" Al
Servan laughed Show me your m
adge of authority" tn
The man fumbled in his upper I
pcket, hoping against hope that the II
luz1le Of the revolver would waver. d,
You're an ordinary thief" declared "
le Russian; land - such ! shall OF
- ae
ew Thoroughbred Strawberry ~ =,