The record. [volume] (St. Maries, Idaho) 1913-1918, 1915-02-19


half an hour later
WAS It necessary TO keep that in
visible letter." he asked
"No." said Jones'
would it have given our affairs
serious turn If 1t had fallen into alien
hands?"
Decidedly" answered Jones. TT
would mean flight for the Black Hum
dred OF 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"
"Ahi"
"You look a bit mussed up Any
thing happened?" asked the keen-eyed
butler
Nothing much. I made a 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 I want you to pack off to
Washington"
Washington"
Yes I want you to interview
those officials who are most familiar
with the extradition laws"
"a new kink?"
What I 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 I want you to find out
That viii be easy. When shall
start?"
GAS soon as you can pack your
grip"
That's always packed" replied the
reporter. You see, I'm eternally
shunted hither and yon. at a moments
notice, so I always have an extra grip
packed for quick travel"
The Russian agent wants Braine,
Vroon, and the countess; and tonight
Pm going to try to point them out to
him It 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"
"Iu take the first train out But
you win tell FIorence2"
Surely"
And take care of your own heels.
You were watched at the hotel"
q know it; but the watcher could
learn nothing. Henri Servan as a name
viii 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"
TO keep the maids in good humor,
1 suppose" laughed Jim well I must
be on my way to make that flyer"
The two shook hands and Jim hur-
ried off The butler watched him till
he disappeared down the subway.
Hes a good lad" he murmured,
'and brave lad; and money is only
an incident in human affairs after all.
I'll 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 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
tiptoed to the door obnquely so that
the watcher outside might not become
aware Of his approach Swiftly he
swung back the door and the member
Of the Black Hundred stumbled into
the room. Almost instantly the Rus
sian caught him by the collar and
held him up.
What were you doing outside my
door,"
The man did not answer He was
trying to collect his thoughts
"A spy of some sort, eh?"
'Tm a detective" said the mar
finally, thinking he saw his way clear
"And what did you expect to learn
by looking through the keyhole of my
door?"
Servan laughed SHOW me your
badge of authority"
The man fumbled in his upper
pocket, hoping against hope that the
muzzle Of the revolver would waver
You're an ordinary thief" declared
the Russian; "and as such shall
instantly hand you over to the hotel
authorities unless you tell me exactly
who and what you are"
, The man remained dumb. lie hung
between the devil and the deep sea
J II