The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-10-14

hat heavy veil which could instantly
be dropped over her face in case of
necessity
From their place of conceaIment be-
hind the palms Morton and Olga, who
had purposely gone to the restaurant
early, saw Hope and Cleo enter, and
saw them conducted by the head
waiter to a table which he had evil
IDENTIFY reserved for them. And, at a
small table behind a column, watch
ing all four Of them, sat MahIin.
All at once Olga, who had never
taken her eyes from the door, grasped
Morton's arm
Look" she whispered. There he
isl"
In the doorway, a parcel under his
arm, stood Doctor Owen a boy was
helping him OF with his coat Even
as Olga spoke he signaled to the head
waiter. They were so close that they
could hear his words.
Where is Lieutenant Hope sitting?"
he asked He is expecting me-"
Yes. SIR said the man, preceding
him down the room toward Hopes
table This way, if you please, sir"
Owen had started to follow the head
waiter when Morton, realizing that TO
obtain possession Of the book he must
adopt desperate measures, stepped
from behind the palms.
This is Doctor Owen, isn't it2" he
said cordially I am Lieutenant Hope.
1 heard you asking for me. II was
mighty kind OF you TO meet me here.
Suppose we step out to the bar and
have a drink before ordering dinner?"
But the doctor instinctiyely hest
tated.
He had 4 vague feeling that there
was something familiar about the fell
low. And he seemed OvernervOus in
his manner; Overeager- And naval Of
hcers do not usually appear TO be
nervous in such ordinary situations.
Meanwhile the head waiter, suppos-
ing that Doctor Owen was following
him. proceeded down the room TO tn
table where Cleo and Hope were 81
ting.
Here is the gentleman you were ex-
pecting, SIR he said, and pulled out
the extra chair.
Beg pardon, sir" he added, Hbut
he seems to have stopped TO talk with
another gentleman. That's him, there
by the door, sir"
As Hope looked he saw Doctor Owen
hand a paper-wrapped parcel to the
man with whom he was talking
Springing to his feet so suddenly that
he upset his chair he fairly sprinted
the length Of the room
Us this Doctor Owen?"
Yes" said the doctor That's my
name"
My name is Hope" SAID the officer
rapidly. Il wired you yesterday about
Fitzmaurice's book. Did you bring it
with your
But this man says his name is
Hope" cried the bewildered physician.
indicating Morton, who, having OBJ
tanned the book. was slowly edging to-
ward the door. There's the book
it, to him"
Hope whirled on Morton.
"Give me that book" he demanded,
advancing thTeateningIy.
Not on your life, Mister Lieuten-
ant" sneered the other, and, as Hope
sprang at him, he turned and slipped
the book TO olga As Hope and Nor
ton grappled. Olga dashed toward the
door; but, quick though she was, Cleo.
who had seen everything, was quicker
still F1inging herself, with all the
strength Of her 1.-THE young body, upon
the Russian woman, she wrested the
precious volume from her hand As
she did so she felt the floor Of the
restaurant heaye sickeningly beneath
her feet The building rocked and
reeled; the chandeliers swung like
pendulums gone mad; glassware and
dishes went crashing to the floor: the
music stopped abruptly; and diners.
walters and musicians Joined II mad
stampede for the door
It's an earthquake" screamed
someone Run for your lives" and
at that moment the ceiling fell.
CTO BE CONTINUED.)