The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-03-12
CHAPTER XXI.
A Packet Of Papers.

half an hour later.
WAS 1t necessary to keep that in
visible letter." he asked.
mo" said Jones'
would II have given our affairs a
serious turn If it had fallen into alien
hands?"
Decidedly" answered Jones. ut
would mean fight for the Black Hun
dred or long time under cover, II
our friend Braine learned that Russia
was now taking an active interest In
the dolngs OF the Black Hundred. And
eventually all our work would have
to be done over again"
"Ah!"
you look a bit mussed up. Any.
thing happened?' asked the keen-eyed
butler.
IN othing much. made a cigarette
out n the letter and smoked IT,"
IJnes chuckled. 81 see that you
have had an adventure of some sort;
but 1t can wait"
1T can"
Because I want you to pack off TO
Washington"
Washington
Yes. want you to interview
those officials who are most familiar
with the extradition laws"
"A new kink?"
What wish to learn is this: Can
a man, formerly undesirable, take out
naturalization papers and hold to the
protection of the United States gov
eminent? That is to say, poisoner,
menaced by Siberia, becomes an Am
erican citizen. He is abducted and
carried back to Russia. Could he look
to this government for protection?
That is what want you to find out"
That will be easy. When shall |
start?"
AS soon as you can pack your
grip"
That's always packed" replied the
reporter. you see, I'm eternally
shunted hither and yon. at a moments
notice, so always have an extra grip
packed for quick travel"
THE Russian agent wants Braine.
Vroon, and the countess and tonight
I'm going to try to point them out to
him. It would satisfy me more than
anything | know to eliminate this
precious trio in Russian fashion. It's
thorough; and once accomplished,
good-day to the Black Hundred in Am
erica The organization in Russia
has still some political significance,
but on this side of the water 1t is
merely an aggregation of merciless
thugs"
"Ill take the first train out. But
you will tell Florence?"
Surely"
And take care of your own heels
You were watched at the hotel"
81 know 1t; but the watcher could
learn nothing. Henri Servan as a name
will suggest nothing to the fool who
followed me. Besides. we both knew
that he was trying to peek through
the keyhole. That hotel. you know,
still retains the old.iashioned key
holes"
ITO Peep the maids in good humor,
| suppose" laughed Jim. We'll, must
be on my way to make that flyer"
The two shook hands and Jim hur-
ried off. The butler watched him till
he disappeared down the subway.
Hes a good lad" he murmured,
land a brave lad; and money is only
an incident in human affairs after all.
I'll be a good angel and let the two
be happy, since they love each other
and have proved II in a thousand
ways"
Meanwhile the Russian agent settled
down before his writing portfolio; and
once or twice as he wrote he thought
! he heard sound outside the door.
No doubt this butler of Elargreave's
| had been watched and followed. BY
and by he rose, drew his revolver, and
tiptoed to the door ObliQuely so that
the watcher outside might not become
aware of his approach, Swiftly he
swung back the door and the member
] OF lHe bldCh I1uuuTeu SlulnUlSu lhlO
the room. Almost instantly the Rus
sian caught him by the collar and
held him up.
What were you doing outside my
door,
The man did not answer. He was
trying to'collect his thoughts.
"a spy of some sort, eh?'
I'm a detective said the man
finally, thinking he saw his way clear.
And what did you expect to learn
by looking through the keyhole of my
door?"
servan laughed. SHOW me your
badge of authority"
The man fumbled in his upper
pocket. hoping against hope that the
muzzle of the revolver would waver,
You're an ordinary thief" declared
the Russian; land as such | shall
instantly hand you over to the hotel
authorities unless you tell me exactly
who and what you are"
The man remained dumb. He hung
between the devil and the deep sea.