The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-09-16

It is no eXaggeration to say that, were
it to fall into the hands of another
government, it might mean the differ
ence between peace and war. The
formula was the invention of Doctor
Burke, Miss Burke's father, and for
her its loss means the difference be-
tween poverty and comfort. Now that
you understand how important it is,
Mr.. Dawson, are you able to recall
the names Of any of those who bought
the books?"
Il can do better than that" was the
astounding answer, 81 can give you
all the names"
'What?" Hope almost shouted in
his joy, 81 supposed your records were
lost in the fre?"
$50 they WERE" said Dawson, frank
ly enjoying the effect which his recital
was producing, but after three peo-
pie had asked for that list concluded
that there was some hocus-pocus go
ing on, so, just before 1 locked up
for the night. detached the sheet con-
tanning the list CT names from the
loose-leaf ledger and slipped it in my
pocket, intending to spend the evening
making few inquiries. Here it is
THANK Cod" Hope exclaimed fer
vently, fairly snatching the sheet from
Dawson's hand. Cleo did not say any
thing, but the look of gratitude she
flashed the auctioneer with her beau
tiful eyes caused him to redden with
qualification and embarrassment Hook
let out a yell that could be heard a
block. "Whoop! Wow" he beloved.
''Who-o-o-ocop-e-e-eI It's all right now,
Miss Cleo. Well git the secret O. the
submarine after ALL
Hope, wasting no tine in words,
was hastily copying the list of names
on the back of an envelope The first
name was:
I. Stephanski,
1485 Edgemere Road,
San Francisco.
But he was suddenly interrupted by
a shout from Dawson.
There he isl There he Isl That's
the fellow who called on me lasti" he
cried excitedly, pointing through the
cigar-store window. "Seei Across the
street there! The fellow just getting
on a motorcycle"
''By the living lingo, if it amt Sat
sumai" roared Hook. "Just let me get
a-ho1t of the skunk!" and he rushed
for the door, followed by Hope and
Cleo, the former as he ran thrusting
into his pocket the sheet from Daw-
sons ledger.
Dodging through the crowd with
amazing agility considering his bulk,
Hook would have caught Satsuma had
he not tripped on a length of firehose
and gone sprawling. Satsuma, his at
tention attracted by the jeers and
laughter of the onlookers, turned, rec
ognized the PROSTATE and cursing sea-
man and, getting his motor cycle start
ed at that moment, shot down the
street and disappeared around a cor
ner.
Quick" called Hope; Jump into
my car and we'll try to overtake him, -
but by the time they rounded the cor
ner the Japanese was lost to sight
amid the press of traffic.
There's no use in trying to catch
him in this crowd" said Hope, slow
ing down the car. Its evident that
that story of his having shipped on a
boat for South America was all a fake.
We had better inform the police that
he is in the city. But the first and
most important thing for US to do is to
make straight for 1885 Edgemere road
and have look at the book bought by
this man Stephanski.'
When Olga Ivanoff left the Dawson
auction rooms with the list which, by
her simple ruse, she had obtained so
easily, she directed the driver of her
taxicab to take her to the Portola
Arms, where she had an apartment.
Thirty minutes later, having removed