The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1915-01-13
CHAPTER H.
The Safe in the Lonely Warehouse.

after the departure of the police with
the bogus detectives. IL had been a
very difficult corner to wrigple out Of,
all because Brainc had added TO his
plans after she had left the apart
ment But for the advent of the med
ding reporter the coup would have
succeeded, herself apparently perfect
ly innocent of completely. That must
be the keynote of ali her plans: to APP
pear quite innocent and leave no trail
behind her. She had gained the con.
fidence of Florence and her compan.
ion. And she was rather certain that
she had impressed this la2y-eyed re.
porter and the stolid butler. She had
told nothing but the truth regarding
her relationship. They would find that
out. She was Katrina Pushkins cousin.
But blood with her counted as naught.
She had room in her heart but for two
things, Braine and money to spend on
her caprices.
How long has your highness known
Mr.. Braine?" asked the reporter idly,
as he smoothed away all signs Of his
recent conflict.
20, the better part of year Mr..
Hargreave did not recognize me the
other night. That was quite excus.
able, for when he last saw me | was
not more than twelve. My child" she
SAID to Florence, build no hopes re-
garding your mother. She is doubt.
less dead. Upon some trivial matter
IL, oh,
confined to the fortress. That was
seventeen years ago. When you enter
the fortress at st. Petersburg, you
cease to be-"
'That is true enough"
Il did not recall myself to your ia.
Their | did not care at that moment
to shock him with the remembrance of
the past. Is not Mr.. Braine a re-
markable man." All this in her charm.
ing broken English.
"He is, indeed" affirmed Norton. |
Hes a superb hnguist, knows every. /.
body and has Travelled everywhere. :
No matter what subject you bring up
he seems well informed"
"Come often" urged Florence.
Il shall, my child And any tima
you need me, call for me. After all, !
am nearly your aunt. You will find
life in the city far different from that
which you have been accustomed to-"
She limped down to her limousine. |
In tripping up Norton he had stepped
upon her foot heavily.
"She is lovely!" cried Florence.
well, must be on my way, Also"
said Norton. Il am a worldlywise |
man, Miss Florence So is Jones here. !
Never go any place without letting |
him know; not even to the corner
drug store. | am going to find your
father Some one was rescued. I'm
going to find out whether it was the .
aviator or Mr.. Hargreave."
Jones drew in deep breath and his
eyes closed for a moment At the
door he spoke to the reporter
What do you think of that WON.
an?"
81 believe that she told the truth.
She Is charming"
"She is. But for all her charm and
truth / cannot help distressing her.
have an idea. ! shall call up your Of
fee at the ecd of each day. If day
comes without a call, you will know
that something is wrong"
"A very good idea" Norton shook
hands with everyone and departed.
what a brave, pleasant young
mani murmurod Susan.
81 Ike him, too; and I'd like him
for a friend" said the guileloss girl.
ut is very good TO have friend
like Mr.. Norton" added Jones; and
passed out into the kitchen. All the
help had been discharged and upon
his shoulders lay the burden of the
cooking till such time when he could
reinstate the cook.
There was a stormy scene between
Braine and the princess that night.
"Are you in your dotage?" she asked
vehemently.
There, there; bring your voice
down a BIZ: Where's the girl?"
"In her home. Where did you sup
pose she would be, after that botch-
work of letting me go TO do one thing
while you had In mind another? And
an ordinary pair of cutthroats, at
that"
THE thought came to me after you
left ! knew you'd recognize the men
and understand. | see no reason why
II didn't work"
II would have been all right if you
had consulted a clairvoyant."
What the deuce do you mean by
hiatt" Braine demanded roughly.
II mean that then you would have
earned your friend the reporter was
20 arrive upon the scene at Its most
,ital moment"
what, Norton?"
Eyes. The trouble is with you. you |
nave been SO successful all these years
hat you have grown oyercondden,. |
ell you that there is a desperately
hrewd man somewhere back of all
his. Mark me, | do not believe Har- '