Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1915-04-14
| he
Million i. | |
Dollar
Mystery
CHAPTER XIV.
Another Trap Set.

They had both failed signally to reach
the goal sought. But this time the or
ganization had broken even with Jones,
and this fact disturbed the butler. II
might signify that the turning point
had been reached, and that in the fu-
ture the good luck might swing over to
the side of the Black Hundred. Jones'
redoubled his cautions, reiterated his
warnings, and slept less than ever.
Indeed, as he went over the ground
he conceded point to the Black Hun
dred. He would no longer be able
to keep tab on the organization. They
had deserted their former quarters
absolutely. The agent of whom they
had leased the building knew nothing
except that he would have to repair
the place. The rent had been paid a
year in advance, as it had been these
last eight years. He had dealt through
an attorney who knew no more of his
clients than the agent. So it will be
seen that Jones had in reality received
a check "
More than all this, it would give his
anemies renewed confidence: and this
was deeper menace than he carea
to face. But he went about his at.
fairs as usual, giving no hint to any
one of the mental turmoil which had
possession of him. .t5.
1t is needless to state Norton did
not scoop his rivals on the counter
felt story. But he set to work explor-
Ing the cellar of the Quilted building,
and in one corner he found battered
die. He turned this over to the secret
service men, There was one man he
wanted to find-Vroon. This man,
could he find him, should be made to
lead him, Norton, to the new strong
hold. He saw the futility of trying to
trap Braine by shadowing him. He
desired Braine to believe that his es-
cape from the freighter had been a
bit of wild luck and not a precon-
ceived plan. Braine was out of reach
for the present, so he began the search
for the man Vroon. He haunted the
out success.
He did not know that it was the
policy of the Black Hundred to lay low
for a month after a raid of such a
serious character. So the Hargreave
menage had thirty days of peace;
always watched, however. For Braine
never relaxed his viligance in that
part of the game. He did not care to
lose sight of Jones, who he was posi-
tive was ready for fight if the slight
est opportunity offered itself.
: Norton went back to the primrose
paths of love; and sometimes he would
forget all about such a thing as the
Black Hundred. So the summer days
went by, with the lilacs and the roses
empowering the Hargreave home. But
Norton took note of the fact that
Florence was no longer the light
hearted schoolgirl he had first met.
Her trials had made serious woman
of her, and perhaps this phase was all
the more enchanting to him, who had
his serious side also. Her young mind
was like an Italian garden, always
Opening new vistas for his admiring
gaze. 49, q: s7zss'@'-'s"
He went al out his work the same as
of old, interviewing, playing detective,
fattening his pay envelope by specials
to the Sunday edition and some of the
lighter magazines. Sometimes he had
vague dreams of writing play, a
novel, and making a tremendous for
tune like that chap Manders, who only
a few years ago had been his desk
mate He really began the first chap
ter of novel; but that has nothing
to do with this history.
All ready, then. The chess are once
more on the board, and it is the move
of the Black Hundred.
The day was rather cloudy. Jones
viewed the sky YEARLY. He could
hear Florence playing rather cheer
less nocturne by Chopin. Fourteen
weeks ago this warfare had begun, and
all he had accomplished, he and those
with him, was the death or incarcera-
ton of a few inconsequent members Of
the Black Hundred. Always they struck
and always he had to ward off, He
had always been on the defensive;
and defensive fighter may last a
long while, but he seldom wins; and
the butler knew that they must win
or go down in bitter defeat. There
was no half way route to the end;
there could be no draw. It all reminded
him of tnunderboIts; one man knew
where they were going to strike.
The telephone rang; at the same
moment Florence left the piano. She
stopped at the Threshold.
Hello! You? Where have you
been? What has happened?"
who is it," asked Florence, step
ping forward.
Jones held up warning hand, and
Florence paused.
Yes, yes; I hear perfectly. o.!
You've been working out their new
quarters? Good, good But be very
careful, sir. One never knows what
may happen. They have been quiet
for some time now. Il. All! You
can't work the ceiling this time? u. I.
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