Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1915-01-29


And In his heart Braine sighed. For
compatibility.
at is yours on one condition" said
Braine, reaching out his foot stealthiiy
toward the button which would sum-
mon Samson.
"And that is," interpolated Norton,
that l join the Black Hundred"
"Or the great beyond, my lad" took |
up Braine, his voice crisp and cold.
Norton could not repress shiver
Where had he heard this voice before |
Braine! He stiffened.
Murder in cold blood?" he managed
to say.
Indefinite Imprisonment. Choose"
Il have chosen"
"H'm!" Braine rose and went over
to the sideboard for the brandy. I'm
going to offer you drink to show you
that personally there are no hard feel
ings. You are in the way. After you,
our friend, Jones. This brandy is not
poisoned, neither are the glasses.
Choose either and I'll drink first. We
are all desperate men, Norton; and we
stop at nothing. Your life hangs by
hair. Do you know where Har-
greave is?"
Norton eyed his liquor thoughtfully.
do you know where the money is?"
Norton smelt of the brandy.
'I am sorry," said Braine. 81 should
have liked to win over head like
yours"
Norton nonchalantly took out his
watch, and that bit of bravado per-
haps saved his life. In the case of
his watch he saw brutal face behind
him. Without tremor, Norton took
up his glass.
81 am sorry to disappoint you," he
said. "but l shall neither join you nor
go to by-by."
| Quick as bird shadow above grass,
he flung the brandy over his shoulder
into the face of the man behind. Sam
son yelled with pain. Almost at the
same instant Norton pushed, over the
table, upsetting Braine with it. Next
he dashed through the curtains,
slammed the door, and fed to the
street, very shaky about the knees, if
the truth is to be told.
General Hendersons views upon the
latest Balkan muddle were missing
from the Blade the following morn
ing. Norton, instead of returning to
the generals and fulfilling his assign
ment like a dutiful reporter, hurried
out to Riverside to acquaint Jones
with what had happened. Jones was
glad to see him safe and sound.
THAT new reporter started the
game" he said. Il overhead word
or two while he was talking in the
booth. All your telephone booths are
ramshackle affairs, you use them Sc
constantly. l tried to find you, but
you were out of sight. Now, tell me
what happened"
"Sh!' warned Norton as he spied
: Florence coming down the stairs
81 thought you couldn't comet" she
cried. But ten o'clock"
81 changed my mind" he replied
laughing.
He caught her arm in his and drew
: her toward the library. Jones smiled
.. after them with that enigmatical smile
| of his, which might have signifiet
irony or affection After half al
hours chat, Florence, quite awar
that the two men wished to talk. re
! tired
T. At the door Norton told Jones wha
3 had taken place at 40 Elm street.
"Ah! we must not forget that nun
ber." unused Jones. my advice Is
keep an eye on this Gregg chap. W
{ may get somewhere by watching him.
do you know where Hargreave is ?
Jones scratched his chin reflectivel!
/ Norton laughed. Il can't get an.
I thing out of YOU"
9 Much less any one else I'm grow
,, ing fond of you, my boy. You're
L man"
i Thanks; and goodnight"
y When Olga Perigoff called the ne,
n day Jones divested himself of his Ii
" cry, donned plain coat and hat, an
left the house stealthily. Today b
d was determined to learn somethin
d definite in regard to this suave, han
IS some Russian. When she left til
IS house Jones rose from his hiding plaC
and proceeded to follow her. The r
)" suit of this espionage on the part
Jones will be seen presently
1t Meantime Jim went down to ii
office and lied cheerfully about h
missing the general. Whether IL
Id city editor believed him or not is
no matter. Jim went over to his des
n. From the corner of his eye he cou
al see Gregg scribbling away. He new,
re raised his head as Jim sat down
read his mail. After awhile Gref
rose and left the Office; and, of cours
Jim left shortly afterward. When Il
newcomer saw that he was being fl
a lowed. he smiled and continued on
way. This Norton chap was sus]
7e cious. All the better; his suspicion
,u should be made the hook to land hi
with. By and by the man turned in
D. drug store and Jim loitered abo
till he reappeared. Gregg walk
II. with brisker steps now. 1t was his
tention to lead Norton on wild goo
at chase for an hour or So long enou.
.s to give Braine time to arrange a w
~ come at another house.
at Norton kept perhaps half block
th the rear of his man all the while. B
|" for this caution he would have W
ne messed a little pantomime that wou
If. have put him wholly upon his gual
m. Turning corner, Gregg all b
ou bumped into the countess. He W
We quick enough to place a finger on /
ou lips and motion his head toward
taxicab. Olga hadn't the least i'd
th who was coming around the corne
but she hailed the cab and was off
ne it before Jim swung around the C,
ut ner.
re Jones, who had followed the coul
ess for something over an hour a
a a half, hugged doorway. What no
he wondered. The countess knew t