Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1918-06-29

best bet npSptIf tnt ldt' thhN tue
information we had gathered from
Paulos and Hermostyple had not i'm
pressed me as being sincere.
twisted and turned it, and out OF
II I gathered the one fact that Lilly
Lawton had undoubtedly been held
for time in the socalled Greek town.
That was a fact no longer doubted;
nor did I doubt that she was a victim
OF the whiteslave people.
| glanced at Dual where he sat bent
slightly above the table. wondered
why he had asked me with his eyes
to remain up what possible use he
might have Of me.
His great head and shoulders made
a dark outline between me and the
little reading lamp on the table, and
recalled other times when had
watched him at work over his occult
calculations. by which he peered into
the destinies Of souls.
Still he worked on. and my thoughts
flew away and took up the police wom-
an, Miss Foote felt subtle inter
est in her and her work wondered
what she, working alone, might have
learned this night. and il we would
see or hear from her again
wondered what it was about her
that ! rather sensed than felt, which
spoke to me of mystery in her own
person. and wondered what had got
into Semi Dual
Like Reich, he impressed even me
az doing little. Never had felt more
in the dark in all my workings with
him.
When he shot me that glance which
had held me here on the excuse of
reading had hoped that at last we
were to have one OF our od-time talks
in which he would point out to me the
leading of at least some Of the threads.
But an hour had passed and he had
not spoken.
was half minded to speak to him
myself when once more the telephone
rang-or rather clicked, for it was
mere tapping which reached my ear.
Ny interest bounded on the instant.
Dual had risen and crossed to the
phone, and even as he did so | rea.
lized that he must have loosened the
bells to prevent their ringing at the
time he had ordered the water
which had noticed he did not touch
II he had done that knew he had had
some vital purpose. \
Even as wondered Dual was
speaking, had hung up the receiver.
and turned to me.
Gordon" he addressed me. "
want you. Miss Foote Is below, and
we are going down"
rose and followed him out OF the
suite and down the hail, where he
rang for cage. When it came we
dropped swiftly, and | followed him
out on the mezzanine floor.
Lucille Foote was waiting for us In
the now deserted space. She turned
and led us to chairs well away from
the cages, and began to speak.
Il had TO come Mr.. Dual, to keep
my promise. told you had agents
down there, and as it happens you
chose the cafe where the cashier is in
our pay. | know what those two told
you, and it's all plant They are even
suspected of being white slave agents
themselves"
"Of course. understood that
from the first" said Semi Dual.
She smiled.
Il believe you understand more than
you say she replied. AT the safe
time | wanted to tell you this. | also
have some reason to believe that the
girl was taken to San Francisco"
"By Greek Annie?" Dual inquired.
Miss Fooie started slightly.
"What do you know of herr" she
said quickly.
"Merely that she left town yester'
day morning with a girl"
but how did you learn?' Miss
Fooie seemed puzzled.
"From the girl who sat behind me
| understand Greek" Dual explained,
81 sce.' said Lucille. There Is a
specimen of tO'ir work. That girl
used to be daughter of family not
fifty miles from this city. Well she's
going the pace. You saw. Oh, isn't
it hellish. isn't it Oh, don't want
to talk of that"
"Miss Foote," said Dual "do you
know this Greek Annie?"
by sight, yes" she responded.
"She is the wife of Paulos."
gasped.
Would you consider going with us
to San Francisco" Semi suggested.
Again Miss Foote smiled.
81 believe you can read minds" she
made answer. Not only will |, but
II YOU hadn't asked me | was going
alone. want to see this case cleared
up and I want to help"
Good You will go with us then"
said Semi
II used 10 live there" informed LII.
Gle. Il am sure can help you"
IL am sure you WILL affirmed
Dual.
"By the way" she remarked at
seeus Mr.. Reich told the truth about
meeting III ll,os last week The
cashier tells me he was In there with