Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1920-05-26

one who calls herself FarnswOrth.
They're playing a game Of some kind.
and it's no laughing matter. but II
won't take long TO find out what
they're up to-"
You'll hardly go the length OF hav-
ing them arrested as lmposters, Tor
rence-n0t without some data TO work
on"
Certainly not. You seem 10 be hit
ting II OF with both of them. but ad-
wise you 10 be on guard. Are you sure
your uncle never sent you his wlfe's
photograph! That would have been a
perfectly natural thing to do"
IF I'd got a photograph. I should
have headed for Japan. not for
France" laughed. but | was thinking
deeply. His line OF reasoning as 10 the
inc0ngruity of the marriage was not
so different from my own that | could
sheer at his suspicious. | shrank from
telling him that | didn't care a hang
whether the widow was a fraud or not.
| II the two women who had settled
themselves on the Barton estate were
imposters. they were extraordinarily
daring and clever.
We were nearing a gateway where
his car waited. and I saw several OF
the guard hanging about at a discreet
distance. Look here. Singleton" he
said angrily. you don't seem to take
this business very seriously. You don't
want To make the mistake of letting a
pretty girl pull the wool over your
eyes" He lowered his voice and added
tensely: Those women are under sus-
pieion OF something more serious than
an attempt TO rob an estate. An agent
OF the state department called on me
yesterday and asked embarrassing
| questions about Mrs. Bashford. Not
secret service man. you understand. or
anything OF that kind, bat an impor-
tant man I'm the state department"
"of course you knew nothing TO
tell" suggested.
II took chance at lying TO him
about her expected arrival. l thought
IL only decent 20 have a look at the
woman first. He told me nothing ex-
cept that the British embassy had
made inquiries and that the matter
was delicate and must be handled
carefully"
WAS this inquirer lame-a small
dark man with black mustache?"
asked. suddenly interested. such a
person has been hanging about here.
so the boys tell me?'
"Not az all. / may as well tell you
IL was Raynor-you probably remem-
Der him. He's a specialist in interna-
rlonal law. and they took him into the
state department just after the Lush
! iania business. He's n gentleman and
a good fellow-Tve played golf with
him a good deal-and | hated TO lie 70
him. but thought I'd see this womah
before telling him she had reached
I America"
confess that was a trifle dis
mayed by this. Raynor knew slight
Is. Professionally and socially he
stood high. and even without the pres
tlge OF his official position he was not
a chap TO sneeze at; but didn't want
Terrence TO know had any doubts as
TO the perfect authenticity of my un-
cle's widow.
"Oh every transcontinental pilgrim
Is probably scrutinized closely these
days" remarked carelessly. Mrs.
Bashford has lost a brother In the
war. and haven't heard anyone talk
more bitterly against Germany. And
her companion certainly has no iIlu-
slOns about the kaiser"
Il don't like the business" he de-
clared stubbornly.
Lets do nothing foolish" insisted.
IF Raynor has reason 10 suspect
either or both OF these women, Wen
hear further from him."
1--WE put myself In hole" he said.
angrily. "Of course I've got to advise
him Immediately that Mrs. BashfOrd
is here"
.Just wait a few days: undertake
70 keep them under surveillance; you
can put the whole responsibility on
ne. IL they attempt 10 leave, I'll warn
you and Raynor instantly. but they
have settled themselves as though
they expected to spend the rest Of
their lives here"
I told him of Mrs. BaShfOrd's adven-
lures In reaching the house without
convincing him that there was any
thing funny in her experiences. and he
left on my promise TO report TO him
daily at a given hour and instantly II
anything unusual occurred. was on
my way back through the grounds
when Antoine arrested me.
Pardon me. but I'd like TO ask what
YOU think Of Il. sir?" he asked hoarse-
", falling into step.
III you mean what do I think Of
Mrs. Bashford." | replied sharply. Il
think she's quite charming and de-
Hghrful and all any one could ask In
every way"
The guards set, sir;
front and rear"