Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1919-07-10
CHAPTER x,.
Mr.. sprouse Abahdons Literature at
an Early Hour in the Mornino.

ME-. 9prcuse Ahahdons Literature at
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 81 considerable importance
were involved and that the agents OBJ
erating@ar 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. ! see. Mind II I sit down here
and have my eggsw He pulled out
chair opposite Barnes and coolly sat
down at the table.
''You can't sell me ret of Dickens
at this hour Of the day." snid 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. 1--WE been investi-
eating you. Mr.. Barnes" said the little
man. unsmilingly. 'Don't get sore.
There are q lot Of things that you don't
know, and one Of them Ii that / don't
sell books for living. It's something
Of q side line with me.r He leaned
forward. II shall be quite frank with
you, sir. i am secret service man.
Yesterday went through your effects
upstairs, and Inst night / took the lib
erty Of spying upon you. so to speak,
while you were guest at Green
Fancy"
''The deuce you sayl' 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 Ave weeks ago on Ger.
tain undertaking. / am supposed to
nnd out what is Matching up at Green
Fancy. Having satisfied myself that
Won are not connected with the gang
up fhere I cheerfully place myself in
your hands, Mr.. Barnes. You were at
Green Fancy last night. So was 1.
You had an advantage over me, how
ever. for you were on the. inside and
was not"
"Confound your impudence! Il"
AOne 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 II .you don't. Another
purpose. and the real one, ID to secure,
II 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
grnvest wrongs the world has ever
known"
swi1l you be gQd enough, Mr..
eprouse. TO tell me just what you are
trying to get at7 I know nothing what
ever against Mr.. Curtis and his
friends. You assume great deal"
Excuse me, Mr.. Barnes. I'll admit
that you don't know anything against
them, but you suspect a 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 youD who
these two men really were and why
they were shot. But sha'n't do any
thing OF the sort-at least not at pres
ent."
Barnes was Impressed. Perhaps
yosi win condescend to tell me who
you are. Mr.. sprouse. ! am very much
I'm the DARK"
4 am-a special afsht-but not !
spy. sir Of government that 10
friendly to yours. am known In
Washington. Ny credentials are not
to be questioned. At present It would
he unwise for me to reveal the name
OF my government. : dare ray IL
can afford 70 trust yo1. Mr. Barnes.
you can afford to trust me. There u
too much atsstake for ~ to take the
slightest chance with any man. am
| ready TO chance Jon, sis, u you Will
do the same BY me = n q
Well began barnes deliberately,
II guess you win have to take .
chance With me. Mr.. sprouse, for I ~
fuse TO commit myself until I know