The St. Johns herald., 1921-10-06

EOOHI, UT dUOIler JuSC DeyOlQ. From ise you will not go until see and talk with you again"
 "I promise that-so you are not too long. must make that train"
 "YOu shall make 1t. My car is only two blocks away, and pledge myself to have you there on time. All this business can be attended to in half an hour"
 He stepped back, partially closing the door, while she turned, her own hand on the latch, facing me. Her eyes stared directly into mine, her face whitening under the light, her teeth shutting down close against the red lips as though to repress a scream. She was startled almost beyond 'on- trOl, yet mastered the fright instantly. She glanced about at the partially open door. and silently closed it tight ly.
 "What-what are you doing here?' she gasped in English, her voice trem- bling. "Listening?"
 "NO," l fled, seeing but one DOS. sible means of escape, and hoping thus to prevent her sounding an im- mediate alarm. "I was waiting for a friend who is inside. I just came into this room"
 You actually belong here, then7 You are one of these menT
 Mot exactly" I had to admit. T know one of them very we'll, and he stationed me out here"
 She appeared puzzled, doubtful, yet to my surprise still held the door tight ly closed, her eyes searching my face
 "WhO is the man you knOw-yeur particular friend?"
 hesitated an instant, the name es- caping me-
 "hOrner."
 "Oh. indeed; you were not very prompt to answer"
 Well" I said, and managed to smile, as though it was of little conse- quence, you see I have not always known him by that name. There are times when names need to be changed occasionally"
 'True," she admitted soberly. "DO you mind gratifying the curiosity of a woman as to what his real name might be?"
 q could not, if so desired. Ever since knew him he has been called Harris. That is all I can say"
 Harris! Then he is not Chilean. and never before pretended to be. I thought that from the first. Is the man American, English or Irish%
 shook my head.
 "You won't answer. That may be ignorance or it may be pretense. Never mind. recognize your face now. You were the man eating in the saloon an hour or so ago. Were you waiting for this Horner-alias Harris-thanY
 we met later." s..
 Her lips smiled a little, and her eyes.
 "Did I merely dream that you ap- peared somewhat interested in me at the time, or was 1t true?"
 Tt was true" 1 answered honestly. 'YOu did interest me. You didn't ap- pear the sort to be making a ren- dezvOus out of a saloon, however re- spectable it might be-. The proprietor even volunteered the information that you were his niece"
 "Did he, indeed? That was very nice of him, wasn't 1t? Rather odd, is it not, that you should later drop in here, and find me again. What do you think of me now"
 l looked at her for a moment before I answered, unable to frame my words to any satisfaction. What did she mean? What exactly was she driving at? Her whole manner puzzled me ex- ceedIngly. Was she playing me for a fool? Was she attempting to lead me on for some secret purpose of her own? Did she believe my explana- ton? and. if not, why did she fail to throw open that door, and denOunce me at once as a spy? There, in that soft light. she appeared more attrac- tive than ever, and so peculiarly wOm- anly as to seem utterly out of place in this scene of plot and crime. It was 6 young face, bright, animated, which fronted me, the dark eyes smiling and unafraid, gazing straight into mine, with a challenge in their depths. Her very attitude piQued me, aroused me to defense. I desired to hold her re- spect, her interest; nothing she might say. or do. served to lower her in my