Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1916-03-22

the same manner: "The other-needs
diagram. Not long ago Frenchman
named Huysman, living in Tours, was
mysteriously murdered-a poor In
ventor, who had starved himself to
.perfect a stabilizator, an attachment
for aeroplanes which renders them
practically fool-proof. 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.
"Circumstantial evidence pointed to
an international spy named Ekstrom-
Adolph Ekstrom, once chief of the avi-
alton corps Of the German army, cash.
tered for general blackguardism-with
suspicion of treason to boot. How
ever, Ekstrom kept under cover, and
presently the plans turned up in the
German war Office. That was a 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
him and brought them over with me,
meaning to turn them over to France,
to whom, by rights, they belong"
without consideration" the girl in
quired shrewdly.
mot exactly. had meant to make
no profit of the affair-rm bit
squeamish about tainted money-but
under present conditions, if France in
sists on rewarding me with safe con-
duct out of the country. l sha'n't re-
fuse it. Do you approved"
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 know
we'll. In fact, the sole reason why l
didn't steal them here was that she
left for England unexpectedly, just as
| Iwas,all set to strike. Now 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 I
would beg of you" W.
! She gave him look 50 unexpected
~ kind that it staggered him. But he
had himself we'll in hand.
$"You can't leave Paris now before
morning to my having over
slept" he continued. There's no hon
est way know to raise money before
morning opens the pawnshops. But
I'm hoping that won't be necessary;
| I'm trusting can arrange matters for
us without going to that extreme.
Meanwhile-you agree that these jew
els must be returned?" 4z ~ #
"Of course" she affirmed gently.
"Then-will you accompany me
| when l replace them? There won't be
the slightest danger. I promise you
that. Indeed, it would be more hazard
| Gus for you to wait for me elsewhere
while 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
fash of humor.
"Trust you!"
ITO believe. Mr.. Lanyard" she told
him earnestly, II 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"
She was silent.
"Will you come with me, Miss Shan
non?"
"That is your sole reason for ask
ing this Of me?" she insisted, eying
him steadily.
"That wish you to believe in me-
yes"
"Why?" she pursued, memorable.
"Because-1've already told you"
"That you want someone's good
opinion to cherish. But why, of all
people, me-whom you hardly know, of
whom what little you do know is hard
ly reassuring?"
He colored, and boggled his answer.
II can't tell you," he admitted in the
end
"Why can't you tell me?"
He stared at her miserably. 1--WE no
right. In spite of all I've said, in
spite of the faith you so generously
promise me, in your eyes must still
figure as thief, liar, an impostor-
self-confessed. Men aren't remade by
mere protestations, nor even by their
own efforts, in an hour, or day, or a
week. But give me a year. II I car
live year in honesty, and earn ms
bread, and so prove my strength
then, perhaps, I might find the cour-
age, the-the effrontery to tell you
why want your good opinion. Now
I've said far more than meant or had
any right to- hope" he ventured
pleadingly, you're not offended"
Only an instant longer could she
hor 1iroo& and 11nfinchinp