The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1915-01-06

free to pack up and 60 II you wish.
AS for me, I'm going to fight this out
to the bitter end" p,
And take my word for 1t, the end
will be bitter" Z
"Well?" g.
"Oh, 1 shall stay. You know that
my future is bound up IN yours. In
the old days my advice generally ap-
pealed to you al sound; and when
you followed 1t you were successful.
From the first l advised you not to
pursue H~argreave. See what has hap.
pened!"
Enough Of this chatter. I've got to die
some time; it will be with my face to-
ward this man | hate with all my soul.
You trust to me; I'll pull out Of this
all right. You just fix yourself up
stunningly for the opera tonight and
leave the rest to me-"
Olga shrugged. She was something
| of a fatalist. This man of hers had
suddenly gone mad; and one did not
reason with mad people.
What shall I wear?" she asked
calmly. 81
"Emeralds; they're your good luck
stones. You will go to the box before
l do. I've got to spend some time at
the curb to be sure that this Servan
chap arrives. And 1t Is quite possible
that our friend Jones will come later.
II not Jones, then Norton. ! was q
fool not to shoot him when ! had the
chance. We could have covered it up.
without the least difficulty. But |
needed the information about that pa
per. With Norton going to Washing
ton and Jones comforting with this
Servan, I've got to strike quick. 1t
concerns us, that I'm certain: Perk
up; we've lots of cards in our sleeves
yet. Be at the opera at e~ight-thirty. Pay
no attention TO any one; wait for me-
Remember, l shan't write or send any
phone messages. Be wary Of any trap
like that to get you outside. Now, I'm
of" II
Jones approached Florence fmmedi-
ately after dinner.
II have important business in the
city tonight. Under no circumstances
leave the house. i shall probably be
followed. And our enemies viii have
need of you far more tonight than at
any previous time, / shall not send
you phone or written message. You
have your revolver. Shoot any strange
man who enters. Wen make inquir-
les after"
""We are near the end" whispered
Florence. ~ !.
very near the end" f.
"And I shall see my father?"
Jones bent his head. If we sue
coed.
There is DANGER" thinking Of her
lover. <
'sThere is always, danger when !
leave this house. SO be good" the but
|ier added, with a smile.
And Jim?"
fHe has proved that he can take
~carelof himself" 4
Tell him to be very careful"
I'll co SO, but 1t will not be neces-
sary;" and with this Jones set forth.
upon what heiconsidered the c%ulninat-
ing adventure.
The usual brilliant crowd, began to
pour into the opera Braine took his
stand by the entrance. He waited a
long time, but his patience waa re-
warded. "A limousine drove up and
out Of the door came his man, who
looked about with casual interest. He
dismissed the limousine. which
wheeled slowly around the corner
whero 1t could! be conveniently parked.
Then Servan entered the opera.
Braine hurried around to the lilnou-
sine. The lights, save. those demand
ed by traffic regulations, were out.
The chauffeur was huddled In bis seat.
my man." said Braine, would you
like to make. some money!"
How mluch?" listlessly. The voice
was muf1ed.
Twenty"
"Good night, sir"
FIFTY"
"Good night and good morning."
"a hundred"
"Now you've got me interested,
What kind of a Joy ride do you want?s
"No JOY ride. Listen"
Briefly the conspirator outlined his
needs, and finally the chauffeur
nodded. Five twenties were pressed
into his hand and he curled up In his
seat again.
Servan entered his box. In the box
next to his sat a handsomely gownedi
young woman. He threw her an idle
glance, which was repaid in kind.
Later, Braine came in and sat down
beside Olga.
Everything looks like plain sail
Ing" he whispered.
Olga shrugged slightly.
During the intermission between the
first and second acts, Servan took the
rear chair of his box, near the cur.
tains. .Braine, watching with the eyes
of a lynx, suddenly observed the cur
tains stirring. A hand was thrust
through. In that hand wasaa packet of
papers. With seeming Indifference