The record. [volume] (St. Maries, Idaho) 1913-1918, 1915-01-08
CHAPTER XIV.
Norton Mako a pIseoverx.

Iact that neither Jones nor Florence
had the least idea what had happened.
Florence regretted a hundred times
during the evening that she had not
gone out to the summer house. It ,
might really have been her father. Her
regret grew so deep in her that just
before going to bed she confessed to
Jones.
you received a letter Of that sort
and did not show It to me?" said
Jones, astonished.
You warned me never to pay any |
attention to them"
mo; I warned you never to act |
upon them without first consulting |
me- And we might have made cap
turel My child, always show me these
things. l will advise you whether to
tear them up or not"
Jones, l believe you are going a
little too far" said Florence haughtily.
1T might have been my father"
Never in this world Miss Florence.
Still, beg your pardon for raising
my voice. What l do and have done
is only for your own sake. There are
two things wish to impress upon your
mind before 1 go. This can be made
a comedy or a terrible tragedy. You
have already had taste Of the latter;
and each time you escaped because
God was good to us. But he is rarely
kind to thoughtless people. They have
to look out for themselves. l am act
ing under orders; always remember
that"
Forgive me; ! acted wrongly. But
I'm so weary and tired Of this eternal
suspicion of everybody and every
thing. Can't l go somewhere, some
place where can have rest?"
IF l thought for a single moment
It was possible to take you thousands
Of miles from this spot. It would be
done this very night But this is our
fortress. So far 1t has been impreg-
nable. The police are watching It;
and that prevents a general assault
by the scoundrels. If we tried to
leave we would be followed; and they
play that game exceedingly well. Now,
goodnight. Well have you out Of all
this doubt and suspicion one of these
days. There will not be any past;
that will be Topped off as you'd lop a
limb from a tree"
please let it be quick. want to
see my father
Jones' eyes sparkled. And you
have my word that he wants to see
you. But dare not tell you"
do you think he would object to
Mr. Norton9" she asked, studying the
rug.
I'm what capacity2" he countered
: forcing her hand.
Y "As-as a husband?" bravely.
> Jones In turn studied the patterns
in the rug. 1T is only natural for g
/ father to look high for his daughters
! husband. But, after all an honest
! man is worth as much as anything
: know of. And Norton is honest anC
! loyal and brave"
Thank you, Jones. l intend t
marry him when the time comes; 81
i you may as we'll prepare father TO
III this eventuality."
Al There is an old adage@"
Il But she interrupted him. IF 20,
II have a new adage, Jones, l shouldn'
Al mind hearing it. But I'm only jus
4 out of school, where old adages ar
served from soup to pudding. Coco
! night"
And Jones went to the rear of tn
house, chuckling.
In the passing It might well be oil
served that the Hargreave house ha
a remarkable menage. There was
gardener, a cook, and a maid; and tn
three of them reported to Jones eac
night before going to bed. They wer
& all three detectives from one Of tn
81 greatest organizations in America
s Finding themselves unable to luI
Florence away from the environs {
q the Hargreave home, the Black HUI
1 dred set some new machinery in M
Il ton. Thep proposed to rid the hous
Of every one in 1t by a perfectly log
cal device. But the first step in tn
new move was going to be extremel
delicate and risky. 1t was no sma
adventure to enter the HargreaN
home; and yet this must be done.
finally Spider" Beggs was selectC
ID for the work. The man could practi
sr- ally walk over crockery without eau
Us ing q sound he could climb a houi
by the window lodges; and he cou
ID hold his breath like those profession
al tank swimmers.
70, Three or four nights after the Pa
81 off fiasco, Jones started the round
ne putting out the lights. He left Il
~ one In the hall till the last, for it WI
ei' his habit. after having turned of tn
light, to stand by the door for sever
" minutes, watching. One never cou
tell.
- On the other hand, Spider Beg
never approached a house till an no
after the lights went out Perso
.o we're likely to move about for sor
- minutes later; they might want son
~ thing IN aat a drink Of WQtor So