The Odanah star. [volume] (Odanah, Ashland Co., Wis.) 1912-1916, 1916-04-08

He tapped the case. then resumsA Ia
the same manner: "The other-needs
a diagram. Not long ago a 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
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
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 big
thing for Germany; already supreme
with her dirigibles. the acquisition OF
the Huysman stabili2ator promised her
ten years lead over the world in the
field of aer0planes.
| 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.
Not exactly. had meant to make
no profit Of the affair-Im a bit
squeamish about tainted money-but
under present conditions, il FRAN In
sists on rewarding me with safe con-
duct out OF the country, | sha'n't re-
fuse it. Do you approve?"
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
well. In fact. the sole reason why
| 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 of you"
She gave him 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 hon
| est way L know to raise money before
morning opens the pawnshops. But
| I'm hoping that won't be necessary:
| I'm trusting l 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
u
| the slightest danger l promise you
that. Indeed, it would be more hazard
| Gus for you to wait for me elsewhere
while I 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
| flash of humor.
Trust you!"
'"To 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
bureau of espionage, Popinot's brigade
of Apaches are without a 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. give 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 a thief, liar, an impostor-
self-confessed. Men aren't renlade by
mere protestations, nor even by their
own efforts. in an hour, or day, or a
week. But give me year. II I 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 yos
why I want your good opinion. Now
I've said far more than meant or had
any right to. l hope" he ventured
pleadingly, you're not offended"
Only an instant longer could she
maintain her direct and unfiinchfng
look. Then his meaning would no
more be ignored Her lashes feli, a