South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1920-09-26

sum. and II Is I who VIII prevent
their losing IL. I do not say who
that gentleman is. but II I should
be forced 10 see him and he should
prove TO be a certain high official
Of the republic, IL will be my duty
10 arrest him. The house is guard
ed. am offering you liberal terms.
II is not absolutely necessary that
I confer personally with the gen
tleman in the next room. Bring me
the valise containing the money.
ard we Will call the affair ended"
The lady rose from her chair and
stood for a moment, thinking deep
~.
do you live here. Mr.. Goodwin ?"
she asked presently.
Yes"
What is your authority for this
intrusion ."
II am an instrument OF the re-
public l was advised by wire Of
The movements of the-gentleman
in Number 10"
May I ask you two or three
questions? I believe you TO be a
man more apt 10 be truthful than
-timid. What sort of a town is
this-CoraliO, I think they call it,
win. smiling. "A banana town. as
they run. Grass huts 'dobes, FIVE
or six two-story houses, accommo-
Gations limited. population half
breed Spanish and Indian. Caribs
and blackamoors. No sidewalks to
speak of. no amusemeuts. Rather
immoral. That's an offhand sketch,
Of course
Are there any inducements. say
IN social or in a business way, for
people TO reside here"
"Oh, yes answered Goodwin.
smiling broadly. There are no
afternoon teas, no hand organs. no
department StOres-and there is no
eXtradition treaty"
He told me" went on the lady.
speaking as II 10 herself. and with
Il slight frOWn, that there were
Owns on 1his coast of beauty and
importance. that there was "A pleas
ing social order-especiaUy an
American colony Of cultured resi-
dents
There is an American colony. "
said Goodwin, gazing a her in some
wonder Some OF the members are
all right. Some are fugitives from
justice from the States. ! recall two
eNllcd bank presidents. one army
paymaster under d cloud. a couple
OF manslayers. and a wIdow-arsc-
mic, / believe, was the suspicion in
her case. l myself complete the
colony, but, as yet, / have not dis
tlnEuished myself in any particular
crime
DO not lose hope" said the LADY
dryly;' / see nothing in your actions
tonight TO guarantee you further
cbscurity. Some mistake has been
made. 1 do not know just where.
but him YOU shall not disturb to-
night The journey has fatigued
MN SO that he has fallen asleep, I
think. in his clothes You talk of
stolen money l do not understand
1 viii convince you. Remain where
you are and / viii bring you the va l.
/ .ise that you seem 10 covet SO. and
show il 10 YOU"
She moved toward the closed door
that connected the two rooms. bu-
I stopped. and half turned and be-
slowed upon Goodwin a grave
searching look that ended In a
quizzical smile.
You moy force my door" she
said, and you follow your rufian-
ly behavior with the basest accuse
tons; and yet"-she hesitated, as if
TO reconsider what she was about 10
say-'and yeti is a puzzling thing
IL am sure there has been some
/ mistake"
She took step toward the door
but Goodwin stayed her by light
touch upon her arm. I have said
before that women turned TO look
at him in the streets. He was the
viking sort OF man, big. cookbook
| ing, and with an air of kindly
turbulence. She was dark and proud
glowing or pale as her mood moved
her. do not know If Eve were
light or dark, but if such a woman
had stood in the garden 1 know that
the apple would have been eaten
This woman was 10 be Goodwin:
fate. and he did not know il; but