Emmons County record. [volume] (Williamsport, D.T. [i.e. N.D.]) 1884-current, 1920-03-04
& Jane Bunker:
oopyxiatss.Ths rohhs.lies.in O.

oopyrislss.1hs teahs:atentn O.
ton with the case-which we felt was
somehow the key to monsieur's sudden
disappearance-and I was not a little
surprised to hear Billy ask her seri-
ously: "Can't you get something about
him, clairvoyantly?"
She told him she couldn't at the mo-
ment-the conditions weren't right
she was too worried-too confused.
"Of course" he agreed. TITS like
everything else-takes your best pow.
ers."
"Ah-I see you understand" she re-
piled gratefully, and it seemed to me
with a little emphasis on the "you"
that set him apart from me; and that,
! have always thought, was the precise
point at which they began to draw to-
gether in friendship that made him
her warm partisan, even against me {;
for the next time heNsaw me alone he
told me he had decided she had better
keep the diamonds.
"Of course" he agreed again. "And
I can see how you couldn't feel equal
to it after what you've been through
this morning." This was artfully hint,
ed to lead back to Claire.
They might have continued their in.
terchange Of opinions on Claire and
her father for the next half-hour-
Judging by the way they seemed to be
enjoying it-but I brought them to
earth with the question: "How are
we going to protect Claire from the
new mani He's probably determined
to see her and find out something
about her fathers whereabouts"
'The deuce!" cried Billy. I'D for
gotten him. Don't let him see her, If
he comes back, whatever you DO
This to Mrs. Delario. 1T would be
simply too dreadful for her"
II know. Still, I can't keep her a
prisoner in her room. You wouldn't
suggest that, would you?'
Heavens, mol" Billy raped out. II
should say not! Hasn't she been
through about enough already7"
"But suppose the man has already
traced her there and has the house
watched-the same as her father did?'
I flung In.
'That's one Of the important things
I came to see you about" Mrs. De-
lario turned to me. IF the house is
watched-and I feel it is, or will be
before the day Is over-Claire is vir-
tually prisoner. I won't dare to let
her go out alone"
"The deuce!" cried Billy, Jumping
up and snatching his hat off the table
as though he were about to run to the
rescue. Then he turned as red as q
beet and signaled me with his eyes
and a couple Of gestures which she
did not see-"Help me out, can't you?
Make her ask me to go home with
her" For he had the wit to see, be-
fore he'd let himself in with a word,
that he couldn't force himself on a
woman like Mrs. Delario without plac.
ing himself before both of us in the
position Of an oficious pup and very
likely getting a snub that would spoil
his chances.
played to his signal-and won q
bushel of gratitude from both sides.
wont you let Mr.. Rivers go home
with you and find out how Claire Il
ana come back and tell me?" asked
her artlessly; and to him, you'll do
that for me. won't you, Billy?"
"Oh, will you, Mr.. RiversT' she
! asked, in great relief, rising as she
spoke and preparing to hurry off. /;
Billy's eyes were popping and his
feet were almost dancing. I present
ed him with frown-unseen by her
thar said: SNOW, look out, young man
how you play your cards! !"
"What relief to have Mr.. Rivers T.
she cried with feeling, aud took my
hand. Then she affectionately kissed
me-for the first time in her life.
I saw her and Billy to the elevator
pushing my hall door fiat against thu
wall to keep it from blowing shut OF
me, and waited, idly waving a good-by
and watching her till the car had SUM
out Of sight. I had just stepped int
my hall again and laid my hand on tn,
/ doorknob, when heard sharp i'm
perative "Waitl"
jumped and wheeled. A maj
stepped out from the stairs back O
the elevator shaft. His face was con
cealed in pulled'up collar and ,
pulled-down hat. With. three quicl
strides he was within the doorway
He pushed me out Of the way an,
seized and slammed the door on M
Then he carefully put up the chain
bolt. As he did it, he held up his fire.
hand with a "Sshl''
| No need Of warning-I was para
lyzedl It had taken him just fou
seconds to make me his prisoner.
CHAPTER XVII.