Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-03-09
as Miss Vaughan remains

as long as Miss Vaughan renains
there"
That's good" he said. Il didn't
know that. Blu just the same, she
mustn't remain there. Even with the
men on guard, you may be too late"
Just what is it you're afraid OFF, I
asked him. curiously. Do you think
her Mes in danger?"
Worse than that" said Swat thick
~, his face suddenly livid. oh, worse
than that!"
1 confess that L caught something OF
his horror: but l shook myself patient
~.
Il ant believe that l said. But,
IN any case, our men will be at hand.
At the least cutlery, they will burst in
TO the house. And remember, the three
servant are there"
They cut no figure. If they didn't
near those screams the other night. dc
you think they would zeal any others?
o must get her away from there, Mr..
Lester he went on rapidly. IF she
Wont come of her own accord, you must
use force
But, my dear Swain" 1 objected. Y
can't DO that, Do you want me to kid
nap her?'
"Inst that-if it's necessary"
linen I'd soon be occupying a cell
mere, too. l lon' see what good that
would do"
1t would save her" he asserted dog
gedly. 1T would save her. That's the
only Thing to consider
bu | rose to my feet in sudden i'm
patlence; what consideration was she
showing for him or for me or for any
one?
You're talking foolishly." said.
YOU'D much better be thinking OF your
own danger; it's much more real than
| ilGIS. had an jfnn,llSa tn al} that
SINCE she had chosen her path. it was
louy To waste pity upon her, but |
managed to check the words. Has any
new lsht on the case occurred to you?"
NO. he answered, listlessly: Il have
not thought about it. When do YOU
see her again. Mr.. Lester"
I'm TO see her tonight
VIII you give her a note from me?"
Yes, | agreed.
His face lighted again at that, and
he cleared a corner OF his table, and sat
do"T TO write the note. 1t was evil
IDENTITY difficult to compose, for he tore
up two drafts before he got one to suit
him. But at last it was DONE, and he
foidcd 1t, rummaged an envelope out
OF q pie OF papers on a chair, slipped
the note into it, and handed it to me.
There he said, and his face was
bright with hope. Il think that will
settle 1T"
l was far from sharing his certainty.
but ! put the envelope in my pocket,
assured myself that there was nothing
to the office. Just as ! was getting
ready TO leave, Mr.. Royce came in, u
chagrined look on his face.
Mrs. Royce just telephoned me- he
SAID. She drove out there. rs l asked
her to. but Miss Vaughan refused to
see her"
had expected it, but the certainty
that We had failed again did not add
to my cheerfulness.
Swain wants us to kidnap her." /
said, with a twisted smile.
IN not sure but that he's right ~
said my partner, and went ~thoughtfully
away.
| went to my ooms changed, had
dinner at n quiet restaurant, and then
took the elevated for the long trip to
the Bronx. Il was after s o'clock when
| pulled the bell beside the tall gates
to Elmhurst. The gardener was evil
IDENTITY expecting me, for he appeared
almost at once and admitted me. With
out waiting for him, l walked up the
drive toward the house. The lights
were OF, in the library, and stepped
M to the open door.
Then ] stopped, and my heart fell.
For there We're two white-robed fig
ures in the room. One was Miss Waugh
an and the other was Francisco Silva.
The girl was sitting at his feet.
They had evidently heard my foot
steps, for they were looking toward the
door, and Miss Vaughan arose as Soon
as ] came within the circle OF light.
But if ! expected her to show any en-
harrassment. / was disappointed.
Come in, MT. Lester" she said. II
believe you have not met Senior Silva
The Yogi had risen, and now Inc.
boWcd 10 me.
our encounters heretofore nave been
purely formal he said, smiling. II am
happy to meet you, Mr.. Lester"
His manner was friendly and unaf-
fected. and imperceptiblg some Of my
distrust Slipped away.
u have told Senior Silva Miss
Vaughan continued, VIXEN we were
seated. that you nave consented to
act as my man of business"
And 1t is my intention" broke in
! Silva. ITO beseech Mr.. Lester to con-
sent to act as my man of business also.
l am sure that I shall nee one"
] was not at all sure OF 1t, for he
seemed capable of dealing Will, any
situation.
1T would not be possible for me to
represent divergent interests" point
ed out.
My dear sir" protested tho yogi.
there will be no divergent interests.
Suppose we put it in this way-you
will represent Miss Vaughan. and will
dispose of my interests from that
standpoint. There could be no objec-
ton to that, I SUPPOSE"
/ CONTINUED next week.