Meade County news., 1916-05-11

He tapped the case, then resumed m
the same manner: "The other-needs
a diagram. Not long ago Frenchman
named Huysman, living in Tours, was
mysteriously murdered-a poor In
ventor. who had starved himself to
perfect stabilizator, an attachment
for aeroplanes which renders them
practically fool-proof. His final trials
mad 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 ayf.
alton corps Of the German army, cash
Tered for general blackguardism-with
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 a big
thlng Tor 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.
Nov, 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
mo 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-Tm a bit
squeamish about tainted money-but
under present conditions, If France in
sists on rewarding me with safe con-
duct out Of ths country, sha'nt re-
fuse i. Do you ay2r1ee?"
She nodSed earnestly. ut would be
| worse than criminal to return them to
EkstromH
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 a 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
! was 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 |
would beg Qf you" :
She gave him a look so unexpected
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 hons
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?"
"Of course" she affirmed gently.
"Then-will you accompany me
when replace them? There won't be
the slightest danger. 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 well2" she asked with a
flash OF humor.,
thrust you'll"
ITO believe. Mr.. Lanyard" she told
him earnestly, 81 do believed"
You make me very happy" he said
but Id 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 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 year. II can
| live year in honesty, and earn my
bread, and so prove my strength
then, perhaps, might find the cour.
age, the-the effrontery to tell you
why l 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
maintain her direct and unfinching
look. Then his meaning would no
more be ignored. Her lashes fell.
tide of crimson flooded her face, and
with q quick movement, pushing her
chair a little from the table, she turned