Gilpin observer., 1917-02-08

thought was to be alone and arrange
his future movements carefully.
When Bertha left the station 1t was
for the second time that day. She
had come in early in the morning
among the wreck victims and proceed
ing to the Hotel Wilton, registered
and secured the locket in question
Impulse had taken her back to the vi
cinity Of the wreck, her firm intention
being to face the major and Pearl to-
gether and tell what she knew about
the two lockets, in the Jealous hope
that she might coerce Brent.
She found him Unexpectedly alone
on the hillside where PEARLS adven-
lures had befallen her.
At his first words she wished that
she had taken different tact.
"FineW he exclaimed when they
met, his eyes fastened upon the orna-
ment at her throat. He held out his
hand with an impatient gesture. $50
you have brought it to me at last!"
Brought you what?' she faltered.
He laughed. my miniature in that
locket." He advanced step or two.
She recoiled, but not quickly
enough. Mistaking her action and
knowing that he had her at a physical
disadvantage, he grasped her wrists.
Bertha experienced paroxysm of
pain in her arms and at the same time
streak Of fire seemed to encircle
her neck. They fell, struggling. Sud-
denly, as If stricken by an unseen
force, Brent tumbled over. Bertha
started to rise when with cry she
realized that her locket had been
snatched from the chain. She looked
about her. No one was in sight. She
examined the ground and rummaged
through Brent's clothing in vain. At
that moment he recovered conscious
ness, leaped savagely to his feet and
again sank to the ground, senseless.
Bertha gave one terrified look at him
and rushed wildly away as If from a
nameless terror.
In the waiting room in the Washing
ton depot she encountered Brent.
From his expression and manner she
OWNED that he believed her to still
be the possessor Of the locket.
perhaps in my next attempt I shall
be less unfortunate" he said, icily, as
they passed. .-.
Bertha took taxi to her hotel, ig-
noring the threat. She, too, desired
solitude and reflection before involv-
ing herself further.
Miss Dare and her chauffeur passed
out of the station together. Ahead
loomed the melancholy figure of T. o.
Adams. His hat was as usual slouched
over his forehead. In broad daylight
he looked more like tramp than ever.
In one hand he carried a dilapidated
valise.
Pearl saw him first.
"Tokol" she calculated. "There is
that man Adams-the man who eluded
us-'The Silent Menacer He must
have the Canal defense secret some
where on his person. Follow. see
where he goes, telephone me! Don't
let him get out Of your sight"
Toxic gave one long glance In the
direction Of the mysterious stranger.
OF all of these six persons Toxic was
the most perplexed. The entrance Of
this newcomer into the already en-
tangled affairs of his mistress had
aroused his passionate dislike. He re-
garded him as an intruder and trou-
BILE maker.
1t was firmly established in Toko's
mind that there was something un-
canny about Adams. The fellow had
fooled both his mistress and himself
in the three-cornered fight the night
before. Now was his opportunity to
study Lin If only for the purpose of
giving to Miss Dare the mans own
account of what became of the Canal
document which disappeared SO mys-
teriously during the struggle for its
possession.
II get you that man," he said with
grim determination to Miss Dare; and
he stole after him in the crowd.
Adams, II conscious of pursuit, was
Indifferent to it. He loitered about
the depot until an undertaker's wagon
came up and drove away with the re-
mains Of the dead soldier, watching
the incident with speculative eye.
He bought a newspaper containing q
full account of the wreck and seemed
| satisfied when he found his own name
among the list of survivors. After
while he hoped on Pennsylvania
avenue street car, alighting in front
| of Shomacher's saloon, which he en-.
tered with every evidence OF familiar.
ity with the place.
1t was that hour when men from
all walks Of Washington life are APT
to assemble in this celebrated resort to
watch the sport scores and discuss the
affairs OF the nation generally. Here
came senator's and congressman from
the committee rooms of belated ses
sion; bureau heads and departmental
chiefs; professional politicians from
various parts Of the county, who made
Washington their mecca; men o.
finance and business, legation Mt