The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1919-06-13
CHAPTER xle
Mr.. Sprouse Abandons Literature as
an Early Hour in the Morning.

an Early Hour In the Morning.
After thrashing about in his bed for
seven sleepless hours, Barnes arose
and gloomily breakfasted alone. He
was not discouraged over his failure
to arrive at anything tangible in the
shape of plan of action. 1t was in
conceivable that he should not be able
in very short order to bring about the
release of the fair guest of Green
Fancy. There was not the slightest
doubt in his mind that international
affairs Of considerable Importance
were involved and that the agents op-
Grating at Green Fancy were under
definite orders.
, Mr.. Sprouse came into the dining
room as he was taking his last swal-
low Of coffee.
"Ah, good morning." was. the bland
little mans greeting. up with the
lark, I see. Mind If I sit down here
and have my eggs?" He pulled out
chair opposite Barnes and coolly sat
down at the table.
"You can't sell me set Of Dickens
at this hour Of the day.. said Barnes
sourly Besides, I've finished my
breakfast. Keep your seat" He start
ed to rise.
"Sit down." said Sprouse quietly.
Something in the mans voice and man.
ner struck Barnes as oddly compelling.
He hesitated a second and then re-
sumed his seat. "Tve been investi.
eating you. Mr.. Bapnes," said the little
man, unsmilingly. 'Don't get sore.
There are lot of things that you don't
know, and one Of them is that I don't
sell books for living. It's something
of a side line with me-" He leaned
forward. II shall be quite frank with
yon, sir. I am a secret service man.
Yesterday I went through your effects
upstairs, and last night took the lib
erty Of spying upon you, 80 to speak,
while you were a guest at Green
Fancy"
"The deuce you say" cried Barnes.
1--WE will get right down to tacks."
said Sprouse. my government
which isn't yours, by the way-sent
me up here five weeks ago on GER
tain undertaking. I am supposed to
find out what Is Matching up at Green
Fancy. Having satisfied myself that
you are not connected with the gang
up there I cheerfully place myself in
your hands, Mr.. Barnes. You were at
Green Fancy last night. So was !.
You had an advantage over me, how
ever, for you were on the inside and
I was not"
"Confound your impudence! +"
Zone Of my purposes In revealing
myself to you, Mr.. Barnes, Is to warn
you to steer clear of that crowd. You
may find yourself in exceedingly hot
water later on If you don't. Another
purpose. and the real one, is to secure.
If possible, your cooperation in beat
ing the game up there. You can help
me, and in helping me you may be in
strumental in righting one of the
gravest wrongs the world has ever
known"
'Will you be good enough. Mr..
Sprouse, to tell me just what you are
trying to get at? know nothing what
ever against Mr.. Curtis and his
friends. You assume a great deal"
Excuse me, Mr.. Barnes. I'll admit
that you don't know anything against
them, but you suspect whole lot. To
begin with, you suspect that two men
were shot to death because they were
in wrong with someone at Green
Fancy. Now I could tell you who
these two men really were and why
they were shot. But I sha'n't do any
thing of the sort-at least not at pres
ent."
Barnes was impressed. "Perhaps
you will condescend to tell me who
you are, Mr.. Sprouse. I am very much
In the dark"
II am a special agent-but not a
spy, sir-of a government that is
friendly to yours. I am known In
Washington. My credentials are not
to be questioned. At present it would
be unwise for me to reveal the name
Of my government. I dare say If l
can afford to trust you, Mr.. Barnes,
you can afford to trust me. There Is
too much at stake for me to take the
slightest chance with any man. I am
ready to chance you, sir, If you will
do the same by me-"
"Well," began Barnes deliberately,
VI guess you will have to take a
chance with me, Mr.. Sprouse, for re-
fuse to commit myself until know
exactly what you are up to-"
"In the first place. Mr., Barnes" said