Evening capital and Maryland gazette., 1915-07-21
CHAPTER XVI.

that Freuules vaguely working mind
expected her to say. She" he
thought, ought to be afraid of me- !
am a man; she is a girl have
club; she hasn't. ! am to take her
to Sweetzer, dead or alive can
crack her head like an egg. So why
does she tell me not to be afraid?
Why does she say she won't hurt me?
Maybe she's got a gun. Maybe she
knows something"
All the while her magnificent, COM
passionate eyes held him spellbound.
He heard something fall heavily to
the floor He looked to see what Z
was. II was his club. He tried to
pick it up, but seemed to lack the
necessary muscular control.
What's your manner" asked
Celestia.
Freddie Douglas.
DO you belong in this houses"
'Yes, ma am"
Then we must be friends. because
| belong here, too"
you going to live with us?"
Celestia nodded.
Honor bright" smiled Celestia.
Honor bright?" asked Freddie sus-
piciously
II was then no longer necessary for
Freddie to take sudden action. If
Celestia was going to live on in the
same house it would be simple mat
ter at some more propitious moment
(when she wasn't looking at fellow,
for instance) to turn her over to
Sweetzer.
Nevertheless, it seemed to Freddie
that the matter required thought, and
he skunk off to think 1t required time
and luck. He had less good luck at
thinking than at anything else.
His proposition was this: Sweetzer
had paid a thousand dollars for
Celestia and had lost her. He had
said to Freddie in effect, Get her
back. There's money in it," How
much money was there in it? Sup
pose there was SC much, how could
Freddie turn it into more? Probably
Mrs. Baxter would also pay money
to know what had become of Celestia.
Freddie knew that his father needed
more money to pay the rent, and the
bright spots in his brain began TO
work.
First he went to SweetZer
Well" said Sweetzer
Il shouldn't wonder" said Freddie,
IF / was going to find her. ] got
a clue
Good"
How much money is there in it?"
"A dollar"
Freddie simply smiled a sad little
smile. turned on his heel and started
to walk away.
Hold on. Freddie; | was kiddin'
you"
You mustn't kid me. 1t drives me
crazy. | shouldn't wonder if ] could
find her for''-his lips trembled at
their own audacity fifty"
Sweetzer's face did not even show
surprise.
You take me where she is, he
said, and III go you the fifty"
A dull spot on Freddies brain tried
to make him say "All right, come
along" but bright spot suddenly
intervened and made him say instead:
"All right, find her sure"
Next Freddie went to Mrs. Baxter's
home. A taxicab was drawn up at
the curb and the front door was alar-
Freddie simply walked into the house.
There we're voices in the front par
lor. Freddie simply stepped to the
portieres, which served the front par
lor as a door, and stood, listening.
so help me God, have told the
truth" Mrs. Baxter was saying, and
Freddie judged she was crying.
$50 help me Gawd-Mister-M Mister
what did you say your name was p
Barclay"
Mr.. Barclay, / wouldn't worry If
was you. She came to no harm with
me. and I'm as bad as they make EN-.
Look here" said Tommy. What
would you do in my place?"
I'D offer big money for news of her
Money acts quicker than lightning.
Why" said Tommy. I'D give a
thousand dollars just to know that
she was safe
EEtuulc, the lSEttts cbcPPcu A1o ehN
room from between the portieres.
She's safe. he said. with fine
dramatic instinct
Safe.@ cried Tommy. Where IS
she? You've seen her? Who is this
young man2''
Hes called Freddie the Ferret,
said Mrs. Baxter, because he often
dnds things that other people can't
But (she lowered her voice a little
''he amt to be always relied on; he's
sort OF half-witted."
But Freddie's bright spots were all
on the qui vive for once.
She was safe when / last seen
her." he said, but / don't know where
she is. and I'd have to hunt for her.