The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-03-09
as long as Miss Vaughan remains

as long as Miss Vaughan remains
That's good" he said. Il didn't
know that. But Just the same, she
mustn't remain there. Even with the
men on guard, you may be too late"
Just what is 1t you're afraid Off" l
asked him, curiously. DO you think
her LIES In danger?"
worse than that" said Swain thick
y, his face suddenly livid. "oh. worse
than that!'
confess that caught something oil
his horror; but shook myself patient
ly.
Il can't believe that" I 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
servants are there"
They cut no figure. II they didn't
near those screams the other night, dc
you think they would hear any others7
You must get her away from there Mr..
Lester, lie went on rapidly. II she
won come OF her own accord. you must
use force"
But, my dear SWAIN" objected. Il
nap herr
Just that--if it's necessary"
Ihen I'd soon be occupying a cell
mere, too. l don't see what good that
would do"
1T would save her." he asserted dog
gedly. Tt would save her. That's the
only thing to consider"
But j rose to my feet in sudden i'm
patience; what consideration was she
showing for him or for me or for any
one?
You're talking foolishly," l said.
YOU'D much better be thinking of your
own danger: it's much more real than
hers.' | had an impulse to add that,
since she had chosen her path, 1t was
tolly to waste pity upon her, but 1
managed to check the words Has any
new light on the case occurred to your
No." he answered, listlessly; Il have
not thought about 1t. When do YOU
see her again, Mr.. LESTER"
I'm to see her tonight"
will you give her a note from me?"
Yes" / agreed.
His face lighted again ut that, and
ne cleared a corner of his table and sat
down 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 1t was done, and he
folded Il, rummaged an envelope out
OF pile of papers on a chair. slipped
the note into 1t, and handed 1t to me.
There" he said, and his face was
bright with hope. Il think that will
was far FROM sharing his certainty,
put put, the envelope in nay pocket,
assured myself that there was nothing
more l could do for him, and returned
10 the Office. Just as / was getting
ready to leave, Mr.. Royce came in, a
chagrined look on his face.
Mrs. Royce just teleph0ned me-" he
said. She drove out there. as asked
her to. but Miss Vaughan refused to
see her"
7 bo6 a~rootod e h,,+ A. a.-..t-...
that we had failed again did not add
TO my cheerfulness.
Swain wants us to kidnap her" I
said, with a twisted smile.
I'm not sure but that he's right"
| sad my partner. and went thoughtfully
away.
went to my rooms, changed, had
dinner at a quiet restaurant, and then
took the elevated for the long trip to
the Bronx. 1t was after o'clock when
pulled the bell beside the tall gates
to ElR1hurst The gardener was evil
IDENTIFY expecting me, for he appeared
almost at once and admitted me. With
out waiting for him, walked up the
drive toward the house. The lights
were oh in the library, and stepped
up 10 the open door.
Then l stopped, and my heart fell.
For there We're two white ROBBED fig
ures in the room. One was Miss Waugh
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-
baprassment, 1 was disappointed.
Come in, Mr.. Lester" she said. II
believe you have not met Senior Silva"
The yogi had risen, and now he
bowed to me.
rOur encounters heretofore have been
purely formal" he said. smiling. L am
happy to meet you, Mr.. Lester"
His manner was friendly and unaf-
fected. and imperCeptibly some OF my
distrust slipped away.
II have told Senior Silva" Miss
Vaughan continued. when we were
seated, that you have consented to
act rs my man Of business
And 1t fs my intention broke in
Silva, Ito beseech Mr.. Lester to con-
sent to act as my man Of business also
am sure that / shall need one"
I was not at all sure OF It, for he
seemed capsule of dealing with any
situation.
1T would not be possible for me to
represent divergent interestB," Ipoint-
ed out.
my dear sir" protested the yogi,
there win he no divergent interests.
Suppose we put # in this way-you
will represent Miss Vaughan, and viii
dispose OF my interests from that
standpoint There could be no obSec-
ton to that. I suppose?"
CONTINUED next week.l