The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-04-02
CHAPTER XXI.
A Packet of Papers.

WAS it necessary to keep that in
visible letter." he asked.
NO" said Jones'
Would it have given our affairs g
serious turn if it had fallen into alien
hands?"
Decidedly" answered Jones. "It
would mean flight for the Black Hun
dred or a long time under cover. il
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."
"Ah."
You look a bit mussed up. Any
thing happened?" asked the keen-eyed
butler
Nothing much. I made = cigarette
out of the letter and smoked it,"
Jones chuckied. II see that you
have had an adventure of some sort;
but it can wait"
1T can"
Because I want you to pack off to
Washington
Washington
Yes. want you to interview
those officials who are most familiar
with the extradition laws"
"A new kink?"
What | wish to learn is this: Can
q 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
Etart?"
"As soon as you can pack your
grip"
That's always packed" replied the
reporter. you see, I'm eternally
shunted hither and yon, at moments
notice, so 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. 1t would satisfy me more than
anything / know to eliminate this
precious trio in Russian fashion. It's
thorough. and once accomplished,
goodday 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 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 Servan 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,
suppose, laughed Jim. well, must
b on my way to make that flyer.
The two shook hands and Jim hur-
rsed off The butler watched him till
he disappeared down the subway.
Hes a good lad" he murmured,
~and a brave lad; and money is only
an incident in human affairs after all.
TIL be a good angel and let the two
be happy, since they love each other
and have proved it in thousand
ways
Meanwhile the Russian agent settled
down before his writing portfolio; and
once or twice as he wrote he thought
be heard a 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
-iptoed to the door obliquely so that
he watcher outside might not become 9
lvare of his approach. Swiftly he
Iwung back the door and the member Q
II the Black Hundred stumbled into
he room. Almost instantly the Rus a
ian caught him by the collar and
lsld him up. Z
What we're you doing outside my t
Ioor?"
The man did not answer He was l
Iying to collect his thoughts. Z
"A spy OF some sort, eh?'
I'm a detective" said the man I
Esally, thinking he saw his way clear. Q
And what did you expect to learn '
, looking through the keyhole OF my o
oof?" 81
Servan laughed. Show me your d
adge OF authority" o
The man fumbled in his upper
ocket, hoping against hope that the fe
,uxxle OF the revolver would waver. Ia
You're an ordinary thief" declared 81
,e Russian; and as such l shall
lstantly hand you over to the hotel q
uthorities unless you tell me exactly u
no and what you are"
The man remained dumb. He hung al
stween the devil and the deep sea.
he told the truth the organization
ould soon learn the truth; II he kept DC
i'll he would be lodged In jail, per- M
Fps indefinitely. for he hadn't saw