The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-03-05

And in his heart Bralne sighed. For
he saw in this young mans eyes in
compatibility.
1T is yours on one condition." said
Braine, reaching out his foot stealthily
mon Samson
/ "And that u.s." interpolated Norton,
| that join the Black Hundred"
"Or the great beyond, my lad" took
up Braine, his voice crisp and cold.
Norton could not repress a shiver.
Where had he heard this voice before
I. Braine! He stiffened
Murder in cold blood?" he managed
to say.
indefinite Imprisonment. Choose"
81 have chosen"
"H'm!" Braine rose and went over
to the sideboard for the brandy. I'm
| going to offer you a drink to show you
that personally there are no hard feel
ings. You are in the way. After you,
our friend, Jones. This brandy is not
| poisoned. neither are the glasses.
| Choose either and I'll drink first. We
are all desperate men, Norton; and we
| stop at nothing. Your life hangs by
hair. Do you know where Har-
greaye ISL"
Norton eyed his liquor thoughtfully.
do you know where the money is?"
Norton smelt of the brandy.
Il am sorry" said Braine. 81 should
have liked to win over a head like
yours
Norton nonchalantly took out his
watch, and that bit of bravado per-
haps saved his life. In the case of
his watch he saw brutal face behind
him. Without a tremor, Norton took
up his glass.
Il am sorry to disappoint you," he
said, "but l shall neither join you nor
go to by-by."
Quick as bird shadow above grass,
he flung the brandy over his shoulder
into the face of the man behind. Sam
son yelled with pain. Almost at the
same instant Norton pushed over the
table, upsetting Braine with it. Next
he dashed through the curtains,
slammed the door, and fed to the
street, very shaky about the knees, if
the truth is to be told.
General Henderson's views upon the
latest Balkan muddle were missing
from the Blade the following morn
ing. Norton, instead of returning to |
the generals and fulfilling his assign |
ment like dutiful reporter, hurried |
IN inf
with what had happened. Jones was
glad to see him safe and sound.
That new reporter started the
game" he said. Il overhead a word
or two while he was talking in the
booth. All your telephone booths are
constantly. l tried to find you, but
you were out of sight Now, tell me
what happened"
SSH" warned Norton as he spied
Florence coming down the stairs.
Il thought you couldn't GOMEZ" she
cried. But ten o'clock
81 changed my mind" he replied,
laughing.
He caught her arm in his and drew
her toward the library. Jones smiled
after them with that enigmatical smile
of his, which might have signified
irony or affection. After half an
hours chat, Florence, quite aware
that the two men wished to talk, re-
tired
At the door Norton told Jones what
had taken place at 40 Elm street.
"Ah! we must not forget that num-
eer," unused Jones. my advice is,
keep an eye on this Gregg chap. We
nay get somewhere by watching him"
do you know where Hargreave is ?"
Jones scratched his chin refectively.
Norton laughed. Il can't get any
hing out d you"
Much less any one else. I'm grow
ng fond of you, my boy. You're a
man,
Thanks; and goodnight
When Olga Perigoff called the next
lay Jones Invested himself of his liv- {
ry, donned plain coat and hat, and
eft the house stealthily. Today he
vas determined to learn something
einite in regard to this suave, hand
ONE Russian. When she left the
ouse Jones rose from his hiding place
nd proceeded to follow her. The re- G
ult of this espionage on the part of
ones will be seen presently !
Meantime Jim went down to the
flee and lied cheerfully about his ,
Kissing the general. Whether the
lty editor believed him or not is of q
o matter. Jim went over to his desk a
rom the corner CT his eye he could q
Re Gregg scribbling away. He never :.
used his head as Jim sat down to :
lad his mail. After awhile Gregg :,
use and left the Office; and, of course, =,
m left shortly afterward When the :.
swcomer saw that he was being fol- :.
wed, he smiled and continued on his :.
ay. This Norton chap WAS suspi- :.
GUS. All the better; his suspicious %
ould be made the hook to land him =
it'll. By and by the man turned into -
drug store and Jim 1oitered about -
he reappeared. Gregg walked -,
tn brisker steps now. 1t was his in