The Benson signal., 1917-10-27

NOt unless you nave something very
important"
"What J have Is more important to
you than to me-"
De Spain took an instant to decide.
"All right" he said impatiently; "come
along. Only" he paused to let the
word sink in, eff this is game you're
springing-"
'I'm Springing no game" returned
the man evenly.
"Come along, then. I'll tell you just
how to get here. Do you hear?"
"I'm listening"
"Leave Main street at Rancherio
street. Follow Rancherio north four
blocks, turn west into Grant avenue.
Mr.. Jeffries' house is on the corner.
"I'll find it."
"Don't come any other way. If you
do, you won't see me-"
"Tm not afraid Of you, Mr.. de Spain,
and I'll come as you say. There's only
one thing should like to ask. 1t would
be as much as my life is worth to be
seen talking to you. And there are
other good reasons why I shouldn't
like to have it known had talked to
you. Would you mind putting out the
lights before come up-I mean, in the
front of the house and in the room
where we talk?'
"NOt in the least. I meant am al
ways willing to take chance against
any other mans. But / warn you,
come prepared to take care of your
SELF"
eff you will do as I ask, no harm
will come to anyone"
De Spain heard the receiver hung
up at the other end Of the wire. He
signaled the operator hastily and got
hold Of Bob Scott. To him he explained
rapidly what had occurred, and what
he wanted. "Get up to Grant and Ran
cherio, Bob, as quick as the Lord will
let you. Come by the back streets.
There's a high mulberry hedge at the
southwest corner you can get behind.
This chap may have been talking for
somebody else. Anyway, look the man
over when he passes under the arc
light. If it is Sassoon or Gale Morgan.
come into Jeffries' house by the rear
door. Wait in the kitchen for my call
from the living room, or a shot. I'll
arrange for your getting in"
Leaving the telephone, De Spain re-
joined Nan in the living room. He told
her briefly of the expected visit and
explained, laughingly, that his caller
had asked to have the lights out and to
see him alone. He made so little of
the incident that Nan walked up the
stairs on De Spain's arm reassured.
When he kissed her at her room door
and turned down the stairs again, she
leaned in the half-light over the banis-
| ter, waving one hand at him and MUIR
muring the last caution: "Be careful,
Henry, won't you"
"Dearie, I'm always careful"
"'Cause you're all I've got now," she
whispered.
you're all I've got, Nan, girl"
81 haven't got any hOme-Or any
thing-just you. Don't go to the door
yourself. Leave the front door open
Stand behind the end of the piano till
you are awfully sure who it is"
"What head, Nan"
| De Spain cut off the lighus, threw
open the front door, and in the dark
ness sat down on the piano stool. A
heavy step on the porch, little while
later, was followed by knock on the
open door.
"Come in! !" called De Spain roughly
The bulk of large man filed and OBJ
scured for an instant the opening
then the visitor stepped carefully over
the threshold. "What do you wantY'
asked De Spain without changing his
tone. He awaited with keenness the
sound of the answer.
''Is Henry de Spain hereW
The voice was not familiar to De
Spain's ear. He told himself the man
was unknown to him. 81 am Henry
de Spain," he returned without hesita.
tion. "What do you want?"
The visitors deliberatiOn was reflect
ed in his measured speaking. 81 am
from Thief River" he began, and his
reverberating voice was low and dis
tinct. 81 was sent IN to Morgan's gap
some time ago to tind out who burned
the Calabasas barn."
"And you report to-"
"Kennedy."
De Spain paused. A fresh convic-
ton had flashed across his mind. "YOu
called me up on the telephone one night
last week." he said suddenly.
The answer came without evasion
'I did"
"You gave me a message from Nan
Morgan that she never gave you"
II did. thought she needed you
right off. She didn't know me as
rightly am. knew what was going on
1 rode into town that evening and rode
out again. 1t was not my business, and
I couldn't let it interfere with the busi
ness I'm paid to look after. That's the
reason / lodged you"
"There is a chair at the left of the