The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-03-05

passed the line of desfs and busy
reporters he did not note the keer
scrutiny of a smooth faced, gray haired
man who stood at the side of Norton's
desk awaiting the reporters return.
why, JONES'" cried the surprised
Norton. What are you doing all this
way from homer"
Orders" said Jones, smiling faint
ly as he delivered a note to the re
| porter.
/ Anything serious?"
mot that l am aware Of. Miss Flor
ence was rather particular. She want
ed to be sure that the note reached
| your hands safely"
| And do you mean to say that you
came away and left her alone in that
house,"
Again Jones smiled. Il left her well
guarded, you may be sure of that. She
will never run away again" He wait
| ed for Norton to read the note.
It was nothing more than one of
| those love orders to come and call at
once. And she had made Jones ven
| ture into town with it! The reporter
| smiled and put the note away tenderly.
! And then he caught Jones smiling, too.
I'm going to marry her, Jones'"
THAT remains to be SEEM replied
| the butler not unkindly.
We'll, anyhow, thanks for bringing
the note. But I've got to disappoint
her tonight. I'm off in deuce of a
hurry to interview General Hender-
son. I'll be out to tea tomorrow. You
can find your way out of this old FIRE
trap By-by!"
The moment he turned away the
smile faded from Jones face, and with
the quickness and noiselessness of
cat he reached the side of the booth in
which Gregg believed himself so Sc
cure from eavesdropping. The half
dozen words Jones heard convinced
him that Norton was again the object
of the Black Hundreds attention. He
had seen the mans face that memora-
BILE night when the balloon stopped
for its passenger. Before Gregg came
out of the booth Jones decided to over
take him and forewarn him, but I'M
fortunately the reporter was nowhere
in sight.
There was left for Jones nothing
else but to return home or follow
when he came out. AS this night he
knew Florence to be exceptionally well
guarded, both within and without the
house, he decided to wait and follow
the spy.
When Braine received the message
he was pleased. Norton's assignment
fitted his purpose like glove. Before
midnight he would have Mr.. Meddling
Reporter where he would bother no
one for some time-if he proved tract
able. If not, he would never bother
any one again. Braine gave his or
ders tersely. Unless Norton met with
unforeseen delay. nothing could pre-
vent his capture.
When Norton arrived at the Hen |
derson place, a footman informed him |
from the veranda that General Hen
derson was at 40 Elm street for the.
evening, and it would be wise to call |
Ihttt Jlul uOQuSu ladaho anu OOl
off in haste for 40 Elm street. The
footman did not enter the house, but
hurried down the steps and skunk off
the adjacent shrubbery. His
mission was over with.
The house in Elm street was Braine's
suburban establishment. He went
here occasionally to hibernate, as it
we're, to grow a new skin when close
pressed. The caretaker was a man
lightly called Samson. He was
oruiser of the bouncer type.
1t was fast work for Braine to get
,ut there. If the man disguised as a
ootman played his cards badly Braine
would have all his trouble for moth
ng. He disguised himself with that
nfernal cleverness which had long
ince made him terror to the police,
Who were looking for ten different
nen instead of one. He knew that :
horton would understand instantly
hat he was not the general; but on
he other hand he would not know
hat he was addressing Braine.
So the arch-conspirator waited; and
O Norton arrived and was ushered ,
lto the room. A single glance was s
nough to satisfy the reporter, always /
cen eyed and observant. 8
'T wish to see General Henderson," s
e said politely. J
General Henderson is doubtless at
is own house." {
"Ah!" T
Don't be alarmed - yet" said G
raine smoothly. 4
Il am not alarmed" replied Norton. +
am only chagrined. Since General 8
anderson is not to be found here r
must be excused" r
81 will excuse you presently" r
"Ah! / begin to see." ]
Indeed" Knocked Braine n
II have tumbled or walked into a Ii
ap." W
"A keen mind like yours must have CT
cognized that fact the moment you 81
l was not the general" W
81 am indebted to the Black Hun a
ed" coolly. ii
Precisely. We do not wish you i'll, W