The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1915-03-26
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Copyright, 1914. by Harold MacGrath)
CHAPTER XIII.
The Secret Of the Million.

his captors. The police who had fol-
lowed her were recalled to pursue one
Of the lesser rogues. This left Olga
free for moment She stole out and
down as far as the landing.
Servan, the Russian agent, stood
waiting for the taxicab to roll up to
the porte cochere for himself Braine,
and Vroon. Norton had taken Flor
ence by the hand, ostensibly to con-
duct her to the million. Suddenly
Braine made dash for liberty Nor.
ton rushed after him. Just as he
reached Braine a shot was heard.
Braine whirled upon his heels and
crashed to the floor
Olga, intent upon giving injury to
Norton, whom she regarded equally
with Hargreave as having brought
about the downfall had hit her lover
instead With a cry of despair she
dashed back into Florence's room,
quite ready to en1 It ALL She raised
the revolver to her temple, shuddered,
and lowered the weapon; so tena-
ciously do we cling to life.
Below they we're all stunned by the
suddenness Of the shot. Instantly
they sought the fallen mans side and
hasty examination gave them the
opinion that the man was dead. Hap
PLY doctor was on the way, Servan
having given call, as one Of the
Black Hundred had been badly
wounded.
But what to do with that mad wom-
an upstairs? Hargreave advised them
to wait The house was surrounded;
she could not possibly escape save by
one method. and perhaps that would
be the best for her. Hargreave
looked gravely at Norton as he Of
fered this suggestion. The reporter
understood the millionaire was will
ing to give the woman chance.
And you are my father?" said
Florence. still bewildered by the amaz.
ing events. But don't understand"
her gaze rowing from the real Jones
to her father.
81 don't doubt 1t, child" replied Har-
greave. an explain. When | hired
Jones here who is really Jedson Of
Scotland Yard, did so because we
looked alike when shaven. 1t was
Jedson here who escaped by the bal
LOOM it was Jedson who returned the
five thousand to Norton; it was Jed
son who was wounded in the arm;
1t was he who watched the doings hf
the Black Hundred and kept me rea-
sonably well informed myself
guarded you. my child Last night,
unbeknown to you, left, and the real
Jones-for 1t is easier to call him
that-took my place"
And I never saw the difference!"
exclaimed Florence,
THAT is natural" smiled the ia.
Their. You we're thinking of Norton
here instead of me. Eh?"
Florence blushed
well, why not? Here. Norton!"
The millionaire took Florence's hand
and placed 1t In the reporters. at
seems that I've got to lose her after
all. Kiss her, man; in heavens name,
kiss herr"
And Norton threw his arms around
the girl and kissed her soundly, care
less of the fact that he was observed
by both enemies and friends.
Suddenly the policeman who had
been standing by the side of Braine
ran into the living room.
He's alive! Braine is alive! He
just stirred"
What" exclaimed Norton and
Hargreave, in a single breath.
Eyes, sir! saw his hands move
It's a good thing we sent for a doc
tor He ought to be along here about
now"
Even as he spoke the bell rang.
and they all surged out into the hall,
forgetting for the moment all about
the million. Olga hadn't killed the
man. then? The doctor knelt beside
the stricken man and examined him
He shrugged.
viii he live?"
Certainly. A scalp wound that
laid him out for few moments He'll
be all right in few days, He was
lucky. A quarter OF an inch lower
and he'd have passed in his checks"
Good" murmured Servan 80
our friend will accompany me back
to good Russia? Oh, we'll be kind to
him during the journey, Have him
taken to the hospital ward at the
Tombs. Now for the little lady up.
stairs"
A moment later Braine opened his
eyes and the policeman assisted him
to hiT feet. Servan with nod or
dered the police to help the wound
ed man to the taxicab which had
just arrived, Braine, now wholly
conscious, flung back one look of
hatred toward Hargreave: and that
was The last either Florence or her
father ever saw of Braine of the Black
Hundred-a fine specimen Of a man
gone wrong through greed and an in
ordinate lust for revenge.