Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-03-15

lieutenants. When the papers at home
| speak of The Man Higher Up they
mean Archer Bannon, though they
don't know it-or else I'm merely a
historical woman exaggerat ting the i'm
pressions of a morbid imagination.
And that's all know of him that mat
ters."
But why, if you believe this-how
did you at length find courage
because I had no more courage to
endure; because I was more afraid to
stay with him than to go-afraid lest
my own soul be the forfeit. And then,
last night, he ordered me to go to your
room and search it for evidence that
you were the Lone Wolf. 1t was the
first time he'd ever asked anything Of
the sort Of me. I was afraid, and
obeyed; but was glad when you inter-
rupted me-glad, even though had to
lie to you the way did. And all that
worked on me, after I'd gone back to
my room, until felt I could stand it
no longer, and after long time, when
the house seemed all still, got up,
dressed quietly, and That is how
came to meet you-quite by accident"
"But you seemed so frightened at
first when you saw me-"
ri was" she confessed simply: IT
thought you were Mr.. Greggs."
"Greggs?"
"Mr. Bannon's private secretary
his right-hand man. He's about your
height and has suit like the one you
wear, and in that poor light and at the
distance I didn't notice you were clean
shaven-Greggs wears a mustache-"
Then it was Greggs murdered
Roddy and tried to drug me! shaved
off his mustache when left him there
to wait for the police. By George, I'd
like to know whether they got there
before Bannon or somebody else dis
covered the substitution. 1t was
telegram to the prefecture, you know,
sent from the Bourse last night"
In his excitement Lanyard began to
pace the floor, and now that he was
no longer staring at her, the girl lifted
her head and watched him closely as
he moved to and fro, talking aloud
more to himself than to her.
II wish l knew! And what lucky
thing you did meet me; for if you'd
gone on to the Care du Nord and wait
ed there-well, it isn't likely Bannon
didn't discover your flight before eight
o'clock this morning, is it?'
I'm afraid not"
And they've drawn the deadline for
me round every conceivable exit from
Paris. Popinot's Apaches are picketed
everywhere. And if Bannon had found
out about you in time it would have
needed only word"
He paused and shuddered to think
what might have ensued had that word
been spoken and the girl been caught
waiting for her train in the Care du
Nord
"Mercifully, we've escaped that. And
now, with any sort of luck. Bannon
ought to be busy enough, trying to get
or keep-his precious Mr.. Greggs
out of the Sante, to give US a chance.
And a fighting chance is all ask
"Mr Lanyard"-the girl bent toward
him across the table with gesture Of
eager interest-"have you any idea
why he-why Mr.. Bannon hates you
500"
But does he? don't know!"
IF he doesn't, why does he connive
in plot to cast suspicion of murder
on you? Why was he so anxious to
know whether you were really the
Lone Wolf? l saw his eyes light up
when De Morbihan mentioned that
name after dinner: and if ever saw
hatred in a mans face, it was in his
as he watched you when you weren't
looking''
GAS far as I know, never heard Of
him BEFORE" Lanyard said carelessly.
Il fancy it was nothing more than the !
excitement of a man-hunt. Now that
they've found me out, De Morbihan
and his crew won't rest until they've
got my scalp"
"But why is that?"
professional jealousy. We're all
crooks, all in the same boat, only
won't row to their stroke. I've always |
played a lone hand successfully; now |
they insist on coming into the game
and sharing my winnings. And I've
told them where they could CO."
"And because of that, they'd
There's nothing they wouldn't do,
Miss Shannon, to bring me to my
knees or see me put we'll out of the
way, where my operations can't hurt
their pocketbooks. Well-all ask is
a fighting chance, and they shall have
their way!"
Her brows contra cted. 81 don't I'M
derstand. You want a fighting chance
to surrender-to give in to their de-
mands?"
I'm a way-yes. I want fighting
chance to do what I'd never in the
world get them to believe I mean to
it all up and leave them
free feld.'
And then, when still she searched
MS face with puzzled eyes, he insist
ed: 81 mean it; want to get away
clear out-chuck the game for good
and ALL"
A little silence greeted this an
Lanyard, at pause near
he table, resting a hand on it, bent
% the girls upturned face grave but
candid regard And the deeps Of her
eyes that never swerved from his were