The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1917-04-21


different" ~
Yes. yes-I see But forgive my asking,
did Mr.: HisgInson explain the situation to
you in just this way? g:
Mr. Higglnson? she said. plainly sur-'.'
prsed at his barking back TO that d" II was.f!
not necessary 7 understood the situation =
very well from what Mr.. Hare has. told me.,s';
Mr.. Higginsnn simply gave us the facts
about these men hiding out thcre-there was. =.
no time for anything more" 90
He was staring at her with unconscious. .
steadiness and row his face took on Slows
faint smile. which she very far from a.
understanding. Blurry It ali still was.
light was beginning to break through upon >.
him. or course that was all that Mr.. Hlg-
ginson had told her. or course. The LAST
thing desired by that clever rogue. who used =,
pcttcoats for stalking horses and was not =
above hiding behind them for the safety Of :,
his own skin. was for the engineered at-tst
tack" to go of prematurely. landing only.
Varney and failing 10 get" Maginnts'..
Warnings that the two should not go out :.
together from Higginson: Hardly. -.
Il understand perfectly. Maglnnis is quite :.
safe without ME. but not at all safe with: =.
me- You may count upon me absolutely,
ri give him the slip and leave here aone."'..
lyon mustn't do anything Of the kind.
said Mary sharply -.
She looked at him. unsnliling. eye to eye 49,
like a man: but she looked from under a =
fantastic and exceedingly becoming little ~
hat. swathed all about with wholly fas-:,;
chatting gray veil. Her skin was Of an ex--t
quisitc freshness. which threw into sharp
relief the vivid coloring Of her lips; the modes;
cling Of her cheek and throat was consum: ~
mate, beyond improvements AMI her eyes,;
he told himself rha, they could have nor
match ANYWHERE ~
Tarney laughed shortly " am not TO 80,
out with Maginnis 4 an not to 80 out within
ont him. May l. ask il am expected to...
spend the night prudenty curled up undet't
the office table here?" 80
The situation was odtous TO him; he knew.
that his manner betrayed it; but il she wastv
aware nj this she gave no sign. On the CON-.
trary her face all at once became miracus'l
lousy sweet ,ks
You aren't. thinking that there's any,
question of courage mixed up in this Mr..
Narney? Indeed. indeed, there is not. They
would fight in the dark; they would fghsts
from behind. The very bravest men would
have no chance. and very brave men don't
take foolish risks do they? know by Mr.:
Hare Mr.. Narney. have little plan"
Indeed" Do tell me-"
Our car is at the door. you know-Mr
richards car. We'd both like it very muchs
If you would come with u.s."
"Where?"
"We--1 thought that perhaps you'd come
to my house. Only TO get rid OF these men
and not to--ee, them into any trouble. OF
course no one in funston would annoy you
when you were with me.
If he had hated the. thought Of accepting
protection from Mary Carstairs less intense
IT, he might have laughed aloud. AS His-1
gnson's catspaw. she certainly tho most
screaming failure that the whole world could
have yielded. What. o what. would the old
gum shoe have said If he could have heard
that invitation?
THANK YOU. hut that is quite impossible"
i am awfully sorry.
There was a faint stiHcning in her man.
hcr. She began to draw on her right glove.
slowly tuckinG out OF sight the thumb with
the tiny white spot on the nail.
g" hoped that perhaps you might come to
dinner with MS I haven't had any yet :
May I--suggest another way out Of all this.
then" There is Il back gate 10 this place.
leading into Il kind of alley. you know.
an sure tina; ,hcy--thnse poor men--haven't
thought nf That Couldn't you please go
out
Certainly" said Varney. Certainly.
Yes indeed. III do anything-anything In"
the wide world 70 avoid getting thumped on,
the head with Mr.. Hackleys walking stick"
Her face told him that she found his tone
and manner somewhat disconcerting. but
she took no notice Of it otherwise.
-" hope it won't be necessary 70 DO any
thing more than that. But II il should be-.
| hope you'll do it,. I'm afraid I've failed TO"
make YOU sec that this is really serious.
Good night.
But Varney. having a question to ask her.
could not let her 30 yet
o." But--but" he said. hastily. you must
allow me 10 thank you--you and Mr.. H!g-
GIBSON"
The thanks are all Mr.. IIiSCinsons. I'm
only II, mcsscn2crind besides. YOU aren't
grateful ut all you know, You think we've
All been extremely intrusive" She smiled
brightly. bowed. and then was suddenly
checked hy new thought. 90. I wonder
If YOU would tell me something before go?"
T.; all means" said Narney. having no
idea whether he would or not
b.: the loud ianElius whir Of a telephone
hell from the nd joinin. into the
mir drowning on, conversation: and il rang
an and IN and on ts though Central had had
her orders.