The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-04-09
CHAPTER XXI.
A Night of Adventure.

A Night OF Adventure.
The federal government agreed tt
say nothing, to put no obstacles in the
way of the Russian agent, provided he
could abduct his trio without serious
ly clashing with the New York police
authorities. 1t was a recognized fact
that the local police force wanted the
newspaper glory which would attend
the crushing of the Black Hundred
1t would be an exploit. But their glory
was nil; nor did Servan take his trio
back with him to Russia.
Many strange things happened that
night, the night of the final adven.
ture.
Florence sat in her room reading
The book was 'Oliver Twist" not the
pleasantest sort of book to read I'M
der the existing circumstances. Sew
eral times-she had reached the place
where Fagin overheard Nancy's con-
fession-she fancied she heard doors
closing softly, but credited 1t to her
imagination. Poor Nancy, who want
ed to be good but did not find time to
We HI SuIO POobCSScu d
miliar to most of US; the need of ap-
pies or candy when. we are reading.
So she rang the bell for her maid.
intending to ask her to bring up some
apples. She turned to her reading,
presently to break off and strike the
bell again Where was that maid? She
waited perhaps five minutes, then laid
down the book and began to investi-
gate.
There was not servant to be found
in the entire house! What in the
world could that mean? Used as she
was to heartrending suspense, she was
none the less terrified. Something had
taken the servants from the house.
From whence was the danger to come
this time? Where was Jones? Why
did he not return as he had promised?
II was hong past the hour when he
said he would be back.
She went into the library and picked
Mr.. Norton was out ON an assignment,
but that he would be notified the mo-
ment he returned. She opened a draw
er in the desk. She touched the au-
tomato, but did not take it up. She
left the drawer open, however.
Earlier, at the newspaper Office that
night, Jim went into the managing ed
itor's Office and laid a bulky manu-
script on that gentleman's desk
-Is this it?'
1T is,'' said Jim.
You have captured them?'
mo: but there is net about them
from which not one shall escape.
There's the story of my adventures, of
the adventures of Miss Hargreave and
the butler, Jones. You'll find it ex-
citing enough. You might just as we'll
send it up to the composing room. At
I'll telephone the introduce
ton. It's scoop. Don't worry about
that"
The editor riffied the pages.
"A hundred and twelve pages, 300 !
words to the page; man it's novel;"
It'll read like one"
sit down for moment and let me |
skim through the first story
al Lie thu VI lCh hilhQlOo thC SNieOf
laid down the copy. He opened draw
er and took out two envelopes. The
blue one he tore up and dropped into
The waste basket. Norton understood
and smiled. They had meant to dis
charge him if he fell down. The other
envelope was fat one.
open it, said the editor, smiling
little to himself.
This envelope contained check for
q, 500, two round-trip first-class tickets
o Liverpool, together with innumer-
Lble continental tickets such as are
ssued to tourists.
"Why two?" asked Jim, innocently.
Forget it, my boy, forget it. You
,ught to know that in this office we
Ion't employ blind men. The whole
tafr Is on. There you are, fat check
nd three months vacation. Go and
et married; and if you return before
he three months are up Ill fire you
nyself on general principles"
Jim laughed happily and the two
aen shook hands. Then Jim went
orth to complete the big assignment.
i've minutes later Florence called him
D to learn that he had gone.
What should she do? Jones had
Did her to stay in the house and not
, leave It But where was he? Why
Id he not come? What was the mean
u of this desertion by the servants?
he wandered about aimlessly. looking
ut of windows. imagining forms in
he shadows. Her imagination had /
OF deceived her; she had heard doors I
lose softly. .
Susan. Susan!" she murmured; but
usan was In the hospital. '
OLIVER TWIST" What had possessed I
Or to start reading that old tale q
Eain? She should have read some t
ing Of Hight and Joyous character. r
tier half an hours wandering about
Ie lonely house she returned to the
brary, feeling that she would be
fer where both telephone and re- s.
liver we're. q
And while she sat waiting for she
lew not what, her swiftly beating t.
art sending the blood into her throat Is