The St. Johns herald., 1921-11-17

lou kQOW OI AAVd S USdluS l pIS- sumeY I asked, endeavOring to put the question carelessly.
 Her lips were grave again, but her clear eyes met mine frankly.
 'I read what the papers said. It was very terrible. Who do you sup pose did it?"
 'SThe police seem to have no clew," answered, astounded by her calm ness. T wondered if you knew any thing? He asked you to ride down with him, did he nOtT
 "Why, yes, he did make such sug- gestion. but I never liked tho man. Of course, only met him that night you remember in the saloon, but he was very disagreeable even during the short time we were together. would not have ridden alone with him at that hour for worlds. Mir. KrantZ and l came downtown together on a street car-he was the old man, you may remember. asked him to escort me-"
 T am very glad to hear you say that"
 "Gladi Why, what do you meanT" her eyes widened, with sudden appre- hension. "YOu did not suppose was with Alva when he was murdered, did youT
 "Yet. is 1t so strange, after all?" I defended, rather indignantly. "In way it seemed impossible enough to connect you even indirectly with such a crime. But I have only known you as an associate with these men. In truth, I know very little more regard ing you, even now. You meet them secretly, bearing credentials and or ders from high junta cOnspiratOrs, who are plotting against the very life of their country. You know their plans and are aiding them. Why, un- der such conditions should l make an exception in your case-merelS be- cause you are wOman?"
 "So you actually believed me capa- ble of that atrocity? Perhaps you are justified, if you think me a Chilean" :"
 Are you nOt?'
 'No, am not Chilean, Mir. Severn. I am an American girl, as loyal to my country as my ancestors. VIII you accept my word for this?"
 q certainly do, more gladly than you dream"
 ''Then let us talk no more about it." she glanced at her wrist watch. ''YOu have a story to tell me-hOw you came to be present last night?'
 "A mere accident put me in posses sion of certain information that a CO., terie of South American conspiratOrs fin this country were receiving a large sum of money from friends in Lon don," explained briefly. "This money was to be expended either in the pur- chase of arms or the killing of certain Chilean officials, leading to an over throw of government. My knowledge was extremely vague-nOt sufficient, you understand. to warrant my making any report to the United States au- thOrities. had no proof beyond a rather vague suspicion. In truth. about all the clew 1 actually possessed was that these fellows met secretly at a certain number on Cans street. was half day in learning that Cans street was located in Jersey City and I went over there that eve ming to seek blindly for further in- formation"
 "You knew the names of those in- volved?"
 "Only casually. had heard of Ava; that the agent bringing the poodle from England was known as ROrner and that the actual money ex. change was to be made through Adolph Krantz, the banker"
 "You had never seen any of these menT
 "Only Krantz; knew him by sight.
 ''Then 1t was my meeting with Alva which led you to the factOry?"
 "Yes. I had dropped into the saloon because 1t was the only place to gel out of the rain. When Alva arrived it was perfectly plain to be seen you two had never met before. You wen out together and I could not help but connect the whole affair together. Int mud enabled me to trail you dOwr the alley and good luck enabled mC to gain entrance to the factory with out detection. That is about the whole ) story"
 She sat motiOnless, with hands . clasped in her lap and eyes fastened . upon me. The depth of her interes } in my recital was very apparent.