Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1915-06-17

NO. HIIs III OuC NktCR& AlyoIAAs
The very fact that IN the final phrase
the butler had omitted the customary
"sir" caught Wainwrights attention.
II was suspicion that suggested his
next question:
WAS the person who called left
alone In this roomr'
Andrew met the issue with the enor-
nous audacity that was characteristic
Of him-when II did not run counter TO
his scheming. Now. according 10 his
plans. the hour for unmasking was
come He spoke TRANQUILITY:
mo. sh. He was not alone In this
room at any time. am quite sure.
sir" He paused TO give emphasis TO
his question "why. sir? Has any
thing been takenr
No" Wainwright replied carelessly.
nothing has been taken"
But Andrew was not yet content
with the situation He was. In fact.
minded to implicate himself more ex-
plicitly. though not by distinctly
overt act. He selected as his agent In
this the detective. who had been scru-
tinizing the butler with professional
clOseness.
May ! venture an observation, sirr'
Andrew asked his employer. Then. as
Wainwright nodded assent, ITS only
this. sir that the next time Mr.. Mar
shall sees me he will be sure to know
me-" With the saying he went softly
out OF the room. while the detective
sat staring agape with indignant sur
prise at the impertinence.
Wainwright spoke In low tone. yet
most emphatically:
"Marshall.' he said. 1.-The next time
your brother officers boast Of their ac-
quaintance with prominent men you
may say that face TO face. you have
met the Master Mind"
Marshall said not a word. only re-
garded the speaker with Amusement
He threw a quick glance toward the
doorway through which Andrew had
disappeared
you don't mean-him?" he exclaim
ed.
Precisely"
In a second Marshall was on his
/ lStt, Ills eyes slldpDiHt Win htoS.
all energy and alertness.
Its the chance OF my lifer' he ex-
claimed gleefully.
What do you intend TO dor
The detective grinned triumphantly.
What do intend TO do?" he repeat
ed why. / intend TO slip the brace
lets on him inside OF two minutes"
m what a. no p"
His eagerness drooped visibly
ION what charger" he quoted help
lessly. why He halted. at loss.
Yes; on what charger Wainwright
snapped "Oh, come. mani" he exhort-
ed Just sit down and think ii over
a bit AS a matter of fact. were help
less against this fellow. IL you have
anything else to suggest
The detective threw up his hands In
4 gesture eloquent of despair. His
voice was angry:
II don't know"
Wainwright walked slowly up the
stairs and along .he upper hall TO the
! door of his wife's boudoir. where he
| knocked gently. He entered in re
| Spouse TO her call. Come in" and
went TO her where she was standing
expectant and took her hands. She
was dressed I'm a blue neglige that EN-
phasized the purity OF her pearly skin
and enhanced the sapphire radiance of
the eyes. Now she looked at her hus
band intently as he approached her.
ud il seemed TO him that faint
t,ace OF anxiety lay beneath her sur
! f.fc greeting He had need to put
'orih the full strength Of his will To
onceal the wretchedness Of his
thoughts
I'm sorry IL | disturb you. dear.
he regarded her searchingly. "You
are looking little tagged"
II have right TO be tired" Lucene
answered brightly. "for I've been help
ing mother with her packing"
Now what does that meanf' the
husband inquired. surprised. Are your
es;imable parents planning to leave
usf"
Yes" the wife replied. 81 didn't
know that yon hadn't heard the sad
news"
WainwriSht's lips frightened. To
him. mindfu of the symbolism of the
black card. this swiftly arranged
partial breaking up OF his household
appeared as confirmation of the worst
fears.
and Andrew
"Oh. yes; he goes with them, OF
course. since he was really only loan
ell TO us
Then he added. curiously: IT'S all
a Bit sudden. isn't til"
Yes" Lucene said conten.edly. lit
all came up and was decided-like
that" She snapped her fingers airily.
He spoke very gravely:
"Lucene, ! came TO you TO say some
thing Of certain important matter"
The wife drew her hands from his.
and moved little away from him. de
iectedly.
please. Cortland" she pleaded.
cant you wait until tomorrow: | am
so tired"
"Lucene." he said very seriously, IL
have an cnemy-onc IN particular.
mean. man who is powerful"
AN enemy-your' she cried. incredu.
lousy. To her. who worshiped him, the
bare idea seemed preposterous. absurd
ly impossible.
"Yes. an enemy" Wainwright repeat
ed. with added energy Didn't you
know it,"
mo. | never guessed anything OF
this" she said, now thoroughly fright
/ H.. .f Inn