The leader-enterprise. [volume] (Fitzgerald, Ga.) 1912-1915, 1915-01-15
CHAPTER XIV.
Norton Makes a Discovery.

Florence regretted a hundred times
during the evening that she had not
gone out to the summer house. It
might really have been her father. Her
regret grew so deep in her that just
before going to bed she confessed to
Jones'
You received letter of that sort
and did not show it to me?" said
Jones, astonished
You warned me never to pay any
attention to them"
NO; l warned you never to act
upon them without first consulting
me. And we might have made cap
ture! My child, always show me these
things. will advise you whether to
tear them up or not"
Jones, l believe you are going a
little too far" said Florence haughtily.
1T might have been my father"
Never in this world, Miss Florence.
Still, l beg your pardon for raising
my voice. What do and have done
is only for your own sake. There are
two things wish to impress upon your
mind before l go. This can be made
a comedy or terrible tragedy. You
have already had taste Of the latter;
and each time you escaped because
God was good to us. But he is rarely
kind to thoughtless people They have
to look out for themselves. l am act
ing under orders; always remember
that"
Forgive me; acted wrongly. But
I'm so weary and tired of this eternal
suspicion of everybody and every
thing. Can't I go somewhere, some
place where 1 can have rest?'
IF l thought for single moment
it was possible to take you thea nds
Of miles from this spot, it would be
done this very night. But this is our
fortress. So far it has been impreg-
nable. The police are watching it;
and that prevents a general assault
by the scoundrels. If we tried to
leave we would be followed; and they
play that game exceedingly well. Now,
goodnight. Well have you out of all
this doubt and suspicion one of these
days. There will not be any past;
that will be Topped off as you'd lop a
limb from tree"
please let it be quick. I want to
see my father"
Jones eyes sparkled. "And you
have my word that he wants to see
you. But dare not tell you"
do you think he would object to
Mr.. Norton?" she asked, studying the
rug.
in what capacity?" he countered,
forcing her hand.
"As-as husband?" bravely.
Jones in turn studied the patterns
in the rug. sit is only natural for a
father to look high for his daughters
husband But, after all, an honest
man is worth as much as anything I
know of. And Norton is honest and
loyal and brave"
THANK you, Jones. l intend to
marry him when the time comes; so
you may as well prepare father for
this eventually"
There is an old adage-"
But she interrupted him. "If you
have new adage, Jones, 1 shouldn't
mind hearing it. But I'm only just
out of school, where old adages are
served from soup to pudding. Good
night"
And Jones went to the rear Of the
house, chuckling.
In the passing it might well be OBJ
served that the Hargreave house had
a remarkable menage. There was a
gardener, cook, and a maid; and the
three Of them reported to Jones each
night before going to bed. They were
all three detectives from one of the
greatest organizations in America.
Finding themselves unable to lure
Florence away from the environs of
the Hargreave home, the Black Hun
dred set some new machinery in mo-
ton. Thep proposed to rid the house
of every one in it by perfectly logi-
cal device. But the first step In this
new move was going to be extremely
delicate and risky. 1t was no small
adventure to enter the Hargreave
home; and yet this must be done. So
finally Spider" Beggs was selected
for the work. The man could practic-
ally walk over crockery without caus-
ing sound; he could climb a house
by the window lodges; and he could
hold his breath like those professional
tank swimmers.
Three or four nights after the Par
off fiasco, Jones started the rounds,
putting out the lights. He left the
one in the hall till the last, for 1t was
his habit, after having turned OFF that
light, to stand by the door for several
minutes, watching. One never could
tell.
On the other hand, Spider" Beggs
never approached q house till an hour
49,