Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-06-12

May venture an observation, sir2"
Andrew asked his employer. Then, as
Wainwright nodded assent, "It's only
this, sir. that the next time Mr.. Mar
shall sees me he will be sure to know
me-" With the saying he went softly
out Of the room, while the detective
sat staring. agape with indignant sur
prise at the impertinence.
Wainwright spoke In low tone, yet
most emphatically:
Marshall" he said, "the next time
your brother officers boast of their ac-
quaintance with prominent men you
may say that, face to face, you have
met the Master Mind"
Marshall said not word, only re-
garded the speaker with amazement
He threw quick glance toward the
doorway through which Andrew had
disappeared.
"You don't mean-him" he exclaim-
ed.
Precisely"
In second Marshall was on his
feet, his eyes swapping with eagerness,
all energy and alertness.
"It's the chance of my lifel' he ex-
claimed gleefully.
What do you intend to dol"
The detective grinned triumphantly.
What do intend to do?" he repeat
ed. "Why. l intend to slip the brace
lets on him inside Of two minutes"
Permit me to ask, on what charger
His eagerness dropped visibly.
"on what charger he quoted help.
lessly. "Why"- He halted, at loss.
yes; on what charger Wainwright
snapped. "Oh, come, mani" he exhort-
ed. Just sit down and think it over
a bit AS matter of fact, we're help
less against this fellow. II you have
anything else to suggest
The detective threw up his hands In
gesture eloquent Of despair. His
voice was angry:
II don't know"
Wainwright walked slowly up the
stairs and along the upper hall to the
door Of his wife's boudoir, where he
knocked gently. He entered in re-
sponse to her call, "Come in," and
went to her where she was standing
expectant and took her hands. She
was dressed In blue neglige that en-
phasized the purity Of her pearly skin
and enhanced the sapphire radiance Of
the eyes. Now she looked at her hus-
band intently as he approached her,
and 1t seemed to him that a faint
trace Of anxiety lay beneath her sur
face greeting. He had need to put
forth the full strength Of his will to
conceal the wretchedness of his
thoughts.
"Fm sorry If disturb you, dear"
He regarded her searchingly. "You
are looking little tagged"
81 have a right to be tired,' Lucene
answered brightly, "for I've been help
ing-mother with her packing"
"NOw, what does that mean?' the
husband inquired, surprised. "Are your
estimable parents planning to leave
usT
YES" the wife replied. ~ didn't
know that you hadn't heard the sad
news"
Wainwright's lips frightened. TO
him, mindful of the symbolism of the
black card this swiftly arranged
partial breaking up Of his household
us confirmation Of the worst
fears.
"And AndrewP
"Oh, yes he goes with them, of
course, since he was really only loan
ed to u.s."
Then he added, curlously: ITS all
a bit sudden, isn't it2'
YES Lucene said contentedly, ut
all came up and was declded-llke
that" She snapped her fingers alrlly.
He spoke very gravely:
"Lucene, came to you to say some
thing of a certain important matter"
The wife drew her hands from his,
and moved little away from him. de-
please, Cortland" she pleaded,
cant you wait until tomorrow am
so tired"
"Lucene," he said very seriously, "I
have an enemy--one in particular, l
mean, man who Is powerful"
AN enemy-you!" she cried, incredu.
ously To her, who worshiped him, the
bare idea seemed preposterous, absurd
y impossible.
"Yes, an enemy" Wainwright repeat
I'd, with added energy Didn't you
Know it?"
mo, | never guessed anything Of
his she said, now thoroughly fright
'ned at the thought OF peril for him.
How should know anything OF It?
You never told mel'
Wainwright answered frankly.
u have told you already, Lucene,
hat l sometimes feared lest you had
ome anxiety you kept secret from me.
You explained the cause Of your dis
ress to me. Yet thought there was
remote possibility that you might be
Ible to tell me something more"
The wife watched her husband as
le thus spoke with an astonishment
nto which blended reproach.
What is 1t you wish to know?" she
AID, with trace of bitterness In her