Omaha daily bee., 1916-10-08

wv nat IL Fe1uSe ne Hurnurcu
thickly.
Refuse, you mutt Beat 1t to the
phone before ! count four. Onel twoE
Threei--
CHAPTER XVI.
A Useless Sacrifice.
still chattering aimlessly about
matters Of no IMPORTER object be-
ing to disslpate any notion in the
minds Of her assistants that she had
purposely put a. strain on their 10y
alty--Grace Coe was replacing the
bundle Of notes In a drawer OF the
roll-top desk when telephone on the
table changed insistently. Blanche
happened to be nearest the instru-
ment, and an6wered the call. She
handed the receiver to Grace.
"Your brother wants q word with
you, Miss Coe," she announced,
Silence reigned in the room while
Grace listened. In fact. the others
gave such attention to the indistinct
and metlllc sounds which conveyed
to their ears no connected sense that
John Burton said with a smile:
Il have never yet quite decided
whether one should talk or keep quiet
when another person is called to the
phone. 1t would be polite to keep up
Conversation. and thus convey the
fiction that you do not want to over
hear what Is being said. On the -nther
hand, Miss Coe may be wishing most
heartily at this instant that ] would
shut up. When she is through
His raillery ceased abruptly.
Grace,s eyes were dilated with fear.
and note of terror crept into her
voice as she explained brokenly: Is
my brother Is in some trouble. He
says he has been injured. He asks
me to come at once"
Now, in the quick turmoil of the
moment. Burton might have hurried
the distraught girl to the waiting au-
tomobile without another spoken
word, but his downright temperament
called for full knowledge before he
acted.
us your brother at your home,
Miss Coe?" he asked.
mo, no; He gave me strange adj
dress. He is in someone's apartment
at ABS Olive street"
Blanche Griffin, who had started to
her feet at the first mention of George
Goes name, seemed to shrink at hear
Ing the address.
"425 Olive street," she repeated in
dazed way. did Mr.. Coe mention
| the number OF the apartment"
"Yes-34," said Grace,
"Why. that is where my sister
livesr' quavered the other.
Your sister, broke In Reilly, and
there was that In his voice which drew
la critical look from Burton.
| Look here, miss" went on the ex-
convict. gravely, ITS an unpleasant
thing, and I'm sorry for Blanche. but
you've got to know the facts before
you stir out Of this house. Your own
brother has rented and furnished that
apartment for Virginia Griffin. and
she is in with the Hell-cats hand and
glove"
But he spoke to me himself
walled the girl frantically. Surely
know my brothers voice? And am
certain he is hurt The way he spoke
convinces me of that"
Then Burton took the lead in his
masterful way,
"Of course, you must CO." he said
but there is no reason on earth why
we should not accompany you. In any
event, you may need our help, II 1t II
only to summon doctor or ambu'
lance. Come along, Why waste time
1t is broad daylight, and with my cal
waiting In the street, and the chauf'
feur warned to keep his wits abou
him, no mischief can possibly com,
to any of U.S."
Olive street lay In the immediat,
neighborhood, and the swift automo
bile brought them thither In a coupl,
OF minutes. Blanche knew that hel
sisters apartment was on the thir,
floor and that the living rooms facet
the main road. She glanced up at tn,
windows, but they were heavily cur
tanned, and there was no sign withii
Of anyone awaiting their arrival.
She sped swiftly up the stairs an,