The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-07-02

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more until the moment when Alan set
loot upon the lower step Of that final
ascent.
Turning the head of the stairs.
Alan paused for q little. s~peculatively
intent on this man who must somehow
be disposed of before he might solve
the secret Of that shut and guarded
door.
Aside from actual violence no solu-
ton offered to the puzxle-and VIC,
lenee was abruptly forced upon him.
No sound warned him Of the door
that opened at his back as he stood
watching the sleeping guard. A pierc.
Ing shrek was the first intimation he
received that his presence had been
discovered. It served az we'll to move
him instantly into action: q single
glance overshoulder showed him the
figure Of q ~maid-servant in cap and
gown. her mouth still wide and full Of
sound-and Alan fell upon the guard
like q thunderbolt. The man had
barely time to jump up and recognize
the alarm: then a fist caught him on
the point Of his jaw, and he returned
promptly to deep Inconsistencies.
No time now for qualms Of com
junction on account of the savage
ruthlessness of that blow: no time
even to search the fellow for q key to
the closed door: already the maid was
taking the stairs in full fight and cry.
four steps and a howl like a warlock's
to every jump.
Backing of, Alan took q short run,
cleared the PROSTATE body of the guard
with a leap, and flung himself full
force against the door, his shoulder
striking a point nearest the lock. With
q splintering crash it broke inward,
Without dignity OF decorum he
Of Judith Trine. !
Poor Mr.. Law" she cried, with a
hooking nod, always Disappointed
I'm SO sorry-truly l ami"
"Oh, spare me your sarcasm" he
begged resentfully. ITS ridiculous
enough. this whole mad business"
"But I I'M not sarcastic" she insist
ed with such sincerity that he opened
his eyes in wonder. Believe me, I
am sorry for once it is l and not Rose
whom you find locked up here! For,I
you see. l am locked up. by way Of
MISUNDERSTANDING to my having had
pity on you once too often-while my
father decamps mysteriously for parts
unknown"
"You don't know where he's gone.
then?"
do you?" she asked sharply.
"In a general way. BY special train
to the West"
Taking Rose?"
$50 I'm told"
The woman choked upon her anger,
but quickly mastered it. :
"He shall pay for this!" she assever-
ated. :
Your father? I wish him nothing
more nor less than your enmity," Alan
assured her civilly. But since it
seems that he has gone, and Rose with;
him, if you'll forgive me, l think III
be going"
"Alone?"
That one word, uttered with all the
significance that this woman knew so
we'll how to infuse into her tone,
checked him suspiciously on the
threshold. N
"Why-yes."
you wouldn't care for q companion
du voyage?" she suggested.
"Oh-really!" he protested.
She held up an arresting hand. Lis
tent" she begged.
From the street below came the I'M
mistakable rattle of a policeman's To-
Gust on the sidewalk.
THAT damned maid" Alan OWNED
thoughtfully.
"The same" Judith agreed with
ominous calm. "Has it struck you that
you may have some trouble getting
away without my permission p
I'm not so stupid as not to have
thought of that" he %countered.
Then be advised-and take me
with you"
I'm what capacity, please? Az
enemy or-ally?"
"As ally-you're right: we can't be
friends-until we overtake that spe.
cial train. After that, by your leave,
Ill shift for myself"
Its not such a bad notion" he re.
nected: with you under my eye. you
can't do.much to interfere"
III / promise" she suggested.
I'LL take your word" he agreed sim.
ply. "But you're in for a lot Of hard.
ship, I'm afraid. The one way to catch
up with your father is by aeroplane~
and I've got one waiting"
She nodded ~intently. Don't con.
slider me as a woman when it comes
to hardship" she limited obliquely.
i've no eason to, going on what !
know Of you."
"Give me one minute to find my coat
and hat"
In less than that time she was at his
side in the hallway.
The police entered by the front door
% the two crept out Of the area win.