The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1917-07-12
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Then youy think that Captain
Payne was eIly innocent 2" queried
Adams, curiet
II am posi-, as you are! burst
from the girl.
There is telephone connection
from that co1 chamber, is there?"
No connecI of any kind with the
outside world
And no ON the chamber knew
what was to done with the plans
and the wafePhen the meeting was
ealled?n
Not until = assembled did any
one except thief of the army staff
know, not evthat there were such
plans and wal"
Adams laug lightly. "Then there
is only one arpr to this puZzle!n he
exclaimed. yne must have been
guilty of forg. his own handwriting
on that not warming and of telling
Toko-or to canadian ambassador
that the pcess secret was ON his
person-an where. That's all there
is to that, earl !"
She looa at him questioningly.
you do nbeieve that Do you?"
He laugt again. what else is
there to b9eT
She fell ent, signing, and he said
nothing moon the subject just then.
AS soon they reached the Dare
residence, before they entered the
house, Ada very gravely requested
Pearl to geith him to Toko'S quar-
tiers over tgarage. She eagerly con-
scented.
When tt entered the ehauffeur's
room 1t wsapparent that Toxic had
been there ,ently. The floor was lit
tered with n-up pieces of letters and
envelopes, which the addresses, sig
natures antates, as well as the post
marks, werendered undecipherable.
There was stitch of clothing or
in the placaot even a trunk or valise.
'He clead everything out, didn't
he? Bag d baggage !" commented
Adams. dispointment written on his
face. ''Weaall probably never know
who Toxic u.s.
Whats his? questioned Pearl,
paying lit heed to his remarks. alb
sorbed in discovery she had made.
Tackled Gthe back of the door was
plain, buy envelope, sealed.
'. .. ADAMS
the addresread.
That's hat I've been rather ex-
pecting tond, Pearl !" Adams cried,
With an enusiasm at which she Won
dered grea. May have it. please?'
A curio depression came upon
Pearl as SHOCKED from the name on
the enyeloI to the owner, whose face
was wreatd in smiles of real JOY.
She handed to him without removing
her eyes I'm his. Then an unfinished
conversatio at the army administra-
ton buildi, flashed into her mind.
do you call the unanswered ques-
tions | aed you, Adams. several
hours ago?she inquired, quickly and
seriously, mingt quite close to him.
Yes, Prl,' he replied in low,
tense tones
"Will II now answer them,
pleasef' 81 continued, in a pleading
way; $50 lat all may be clear be
tween us-o that there may be no
hidden mtery to crop out in the
years to coe and-and spoil our hap
piness anocontent and mutual trust
Is your nae really T. O. Adams? Do
you come pm Monks Corner Nebras-
ka, or whever that outlandish place
may be? Id yeu know that Toxic was
the Silentdenace? You We're not in
any way league with him, We're
yeu?'
Must VI have your answer to all
these queaons now?" he inquired in
a strange, hick voice.
"As yol WISH" she rejoined, not
ainge of impotence.
Il am pt T. o. Adams of Monks
Corner, N,raska," he finally admitted
II hollow ones.
The st@ment did not seem to sur
Prise her. he made no comment, look
ng downat the tip of her slipper,
Il am OF the mysterious inventor
IF the Cnal Defense plans or the
chemical 'afers," he continued in the
same tond.
She lo9ed up at that, her face
showing pin and surprise.
Il neve said that l wasl" he con-
inued, uiclIly, interpreting her
bought. . said that I. O. Adams was,
md he ws. And he was from Monk S
corner, Nbraska."
She seeled to be puzzled at this ex-
which was not an explana-
ion at al so far as she could see.
II did OF know that Toxic was the
Silent Mnace, although l suspected
t, and l, IF course, was not in league
With HMM any way. Now, are my
nswers satisfactory?
"No," ae exclaimed, candidly, step
ing backa pace. Her voice was cool.
Who, my | ask, is the man to whom
have gi'en my love and pledged my
fe? Wha has become of T. 0. Adams,
those nine and character you have
Ssumed-I must admit, so well?"
adams is dead, Pearl" this strange
erson st.ted in accents so harsh with
motion nat she became startled and
My by seer power of will restrained