The Taney County republican., 1920-04-15

In the same steamer with you about
two weeks ago, did she not?"
"She may have"
"IIer name Is on the passenger list
with yours--I have the list here"--hc
produced some papers, hut apparently
did not find that he had the list, and
with a gesture of lmpntlence appealed
TO NET am correct. am / nOt-she
crossed with you on the same
steamer7"
what have | to do with thatw
asked curtly, wondering what he was
driving at; for of course knew Claire
hadn't disappeared since last night,
and II she had he wouldn't be asking
me about the steamer. Dozens OF
people crossed on the same steamer
with me-"
Naturally" he admitted, trying to
he pleasant. "But this Mademoiselle
de Ravenol-she crossed in your care,
did she not?"
"She did not"
"She did not7" he asked In n sur
prised sort of way, rs II he thought
was lying. an whose, then, may
ask7"
l merely shrugged, as though to tell
him, "Find out for yourself" Seeing
It he did not pursue that line but
tried this: "YOu saw good deal OF
her on the steamer, did you not
talked with her frequentlyT
! ignored this last and told him,
"But I have no information to give
you! Nothing at all. She did not
come over with mel had no charge
Of her-no responsibility for her ac-
tIOns on board the steamer, or for her
being met or not met or anything
else"
Certainly. understand" He
gave the door q little push as O mint
to me. "But do you not see that you
might furnish ME with q valuable
clue" He gave the door harder
push, and rs 1t clicked on the chnin-
bolt he repeated, "If you allow me to
enter that we may discuss this in pri-
vate-"
l thought saw myself letting a
strange man enter with all those dia-
monis loose In box with pens! And
at the thought Of them / saw that this
might be only another plot of mon
sleur's! :,
l looked at him 10 n way that made
him think / was considering my re-
spOnSIbllites, and then asked as cas-
unlly as could, but at what time did
she disappear7"
"Ah, that is the Question-when
he cried, giving traglc-or what he
meant to be traglc-gesture TO show
how utterly the girl had vanished.
Ard he stopped to consider what he
should tell me next, and I, seeing no
chance to catch a clue for myself,
added, IF you are simply free.lancing
IN the case l should not feel justified |
In discussing her with yOu--but if
her father is employing you--if It is
he who has put the case In your
is a different matter, and |
see no objection to telling you all |
know"
He took the bait, hook and sinker!
ut is her father who has placed the
natter In my hands," he replied con.
'lnc'ngly; and at the same time he
;nve the door a shove as II to say.
Now you must lei me nj" and drop.
'ins his voice TO whisper: "You will
Understand also why the greatest Sc.
recS must be maintained n
"Oh, Of course. Now, when did she
llsappearr
got this of In a tone to Indicate
hat l was thawlng out. Not lost on
I'M! He answered with a quick but
arle, Shortly after landing"
You don't say!" l exclaimed. wish
ig to seem shocked and trying to
ecp back laugh at the way he'd
ivcn himself away. But the next mo-
lalt I realized that the fellow could
are no possible connection With
1t came over me with a rush that
lis was a plot against Claire herself
'as 1t to kidnap her and hold her
II ransomf Her California grand
lthcr, now dying, was reputed many
mes the millionaire. Or was this the
Of some other nation
'aInst Germany for the possession Of
clicol-an effort TO strike ut De
a'enol. the emperor's messenger, !
rough bis daughter and put spoke :
'hs trsatyt -.