Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1916-04-01

mysterfously murdered-a poor in
ventor. who had starved himself to
perfect a stabilizator, an attachment
for aeroplanes which renders them
practically foolproof. His final trials
had created sensation. and he was ON
the eve of selling his invention to the
government when he was killed and
his plans stolen
.CircumstantiaI evidence pointed to
an International spy named Ekstrom-
Adolph Ekstrom, once chief of the avf-
alton corps of the German army. CASH
Tered for general blackguardism-wit
a suspicion of treason to boot. How
ever. Ekstrom kept under cover, and
presently the plans turned up in the
German war Office. That was big
thing for Germany; already supreme
with her dirigibles. the acquisition of
the Huysman stabilizator promised her
ten years lead over the world in the
field of aeroplanes.
Now, yesterday. Ekstrom came to
the surface in London with those self
same plans to sell to England. Chance
threw him my way. and he mistook
me for the man he'd expected to meet
Downing streets secret agent Well
no matter howl got the plans from
I'LL anu OTOuSHL In0In over Win me.
meaning to turn them over to France,
to whom, by rights. they belong"
Without consideration ?" the girl in
quired shrewdly.
Not exactly. L had meant to make
no profit of the affair-Im a bit
squeamish about tainted money-but
under present conditions. if France in
sists on rewarding me with safe con-
61Tnf Of
fuse it, Do you approye?"
She nodded earnestly. 1T would be
worse than criminal to return them to
Ekstrom."
That's my view of the matter"
But these?" The girl rested her
hand upon the jewel case.
Those go back to Nine Omber. She
has home here in Paris that 1 know
well. In fact, the sole reason why I
| didn't steal them here was that she
left for England unexpectedly, just as
| l was all set to strike. Now 1 purpose
to use my knowledge of her house to
restore the jewels without risk of fall
ing into the hands of the police. That
will be an easy matter And that
brings me to the one great favor
would beg of you
| ly kind that it staggered him But he
| had himself well in hand
You can't leave Paris now before
| morning-thankS to my having over
slept" he continued. There's no hon
est way l know to raise money before
morning opens the pawnshops But
I'm hoping that won't be necessary;
I'm trusting 1 can arrange matters for
us without going to that extreme.
Meanwhile-youa agree that these jew
els must be returned?"
| "Of course" she affirmed gently.
| '"Then-will you accompany me
l'when / replace them? There won't be
the slightest danger. l promise you
that. Indeed, it would be more hazard
Gus for you to wait for me elsewhere
| while l attended to the matter alone.
| And I'd like you to be convinced of my
| sincerity"
Don't you think you can trust me
for that as well?" she asked with a
| flash of humor.
Trust you'll"
ITO believe. Mr.. Lanyard she told
him earnestly. 81 do believed"
You make me very happy" he said
but I'd like you to see for yourself
And I'd be glad not to have to fret
about your safety in my absence. AS a
bureau of espionage. Popinot's brigade
of Apaches are without peer in Eu-
| rope. I'm positively afraid to leave
you alone"
THAT is your sole reason for ask
| ing this of me?" she insisted, eying
him steadily.
He colored, and boggied his answer
81 can't tell you" he admitted in the
| end.
Why can't you tell me?"
He stared at her niserably i've nc
right In spite of all I've said. in
spite of the faith you SO generously
promise me, in your eyes l must still
figure as a thief. liar. an impostor-
self-confessed. Men aren't remade BY
| mere protestations. nor even by theil
own efforts, in an hour, or a day, or 9
week But give me year. If 1 car
live year in honesty, and earn my
bread, and so prove my strength
then. perhaps. 1 might find the cour
age. the-the effrontery to tell you
why 1 want your good opinion. Now
I've said far more than l meant or had
any right to. l hope" he ventured
pleadingly. you're not offended"
Only an instant longer could she
maintain her direct and unfiinchins
look Then his meaning would nj
more be ignored. Her lashes fell. 6
tide of crimson flooded her face, and