The Powder River County examiner and the Broadus independent. [volume] (Broadus, Mont.) 1919-1935, 1920-03-26

eveNUtUT WIS UOtNcSCSS. lie elevator
car was up. and IA | heard Il comm,
down | did not ring. was standing
with my hack to the shaft. facing the
door 81 the rear tiat-l stood ut mos,
three feet away from that door.
Without the slightest sound Of foot.
steps from the hail Of the HAT. tina,
door oi,encd-a ll,un'S face looked Oul
looked at ne-und the door noise
icSsiy closed.
II happened in q lash. 50 silently
that had my back been turned. had
been watching the descent Of the car
! should have been none the wiser.
The man who opened the door was
Monsieur De Ravenol.
could not possibly be mistaken
The main hall light shone full on his
face. He was hatless. And what was
more-he recognized me and knew
had recognized him!
was Stupefied! The man was evi.
IDENTITY living in the same house with
me!
The rafting elevator recalled me to
my senses as George. smiling and talk.
alive. opened the door for me to get in.
How much did George know: The car
slid up.
''Wh" is the gentleman living in the
rear tiat:" ! asked with rs much un.
concern as | could. "The French gen.
Observation-Disclosures don't know II
he's French or what. What Is his
name?''
His nancy" George considered this
pas, another floor. and | repeated the
question.
Il don't know his name--he amt
been here long
when did he take the flat?"
"WeIl. now don know jess which
day il was. hn! it was before you come
h"ne-,naybe two days. maybe Il week.
an he amt really moved in yet-oniy
q bed an some chairs. He say he got
furniture comm from the other side
an he don want to buy no more here
than he can help"
"Nn,urally. Did he speak to you
about me-" | put the question boldly
rs the car stopped at my floor. George
hc>i'ated and then admitted:
well. he did say he thinks he knows
YOU" He appeared reluctant to dis.
c,l>S monsieur.
broke out in new line. 1.-THE gen.
'lenan is very rich. George. hope he
tipped you we'll" -.
George was instantly enthusiastic.
"ile done that! He gimme ten dol
lars"
He's good for another ten. George.
if YOU work him right" | affirmed.
'Oh. YOU needn't he so shy! He asked
you lot of questions about me and
YOU don't want me to know it. You
told him everything you knew"
We'll. that's right" George broke in
>hrepiShly. HE did ask me some QleS.
tons. hui honest to goodness. amt
tell him anything hatl-I tell him l
don't RELY know much about you.
That's what | tell him. honest to good.
ness
lie really paid yon for telling him
every time | Went out or came H.
didn't he?"
;u1 George was suspicious and on
guard AT once. He threw open the car
door without answering.
'Oh. all right" said | carelessly. hui
not steppin. out as saw he wished
me ia. You needn't give it away. but
] know, all the same. so it doesn't mat.
ter whether you tell me or not
''What you suppose he so perticuler
to know fer:' asked George. ingenu.
on>ly feeling he was guarding his
secret while gratifyin. his curiosity.
"Ilow shoulG I know? Maybe he
wants to hang flowers on my door.
He's Very rich. understand"
George grinned. interested and sym.
pathetic. He scented romance an! II
explained all to him ms adequately as
ii had to Mrs. Jimmsoa.
unlocked my door as quickly as |
could didn't mean to let George
think | attached an" importance to
monsieur. ! knew enough. The man
was fellow tenant in the same house.
in the tlat directly under mine. und
George was his paid spy. As ! shut
the door. asked myself. what
nex,:'
| hal fleeting idea OF keepin.
Jimmson With me for the night but |
couldn't think Of any explanation for
~ unusual n request. could not
take her into my confidence--if she
stayed. could hardly keep her out OF
it. She was anxious to go hOme-l
Jaw that ami | didn't blame her and
! was anxious to he alone and think,
and felt only relief as | saw the Inst
Of her faded skinny weeds her faded
skinny form. md said gOot-by to her
heartily. little realizing that she was
the one human being who stood he
tween me and mhnS!eur's machina.
tons. and that when she closed her
-..hR - ~ t.