Elbert County tribune and Elbert County banner., 1921-09-30
CHAPTER Ix--c.n.Inuea.


chances are they will both be where
we are going, unless they have al
ready quarreied over that bunch OF
easy money you spoke about"
Bat has that been paid over by
Krantz7 Who has itT'
THE fellow who put knife into
Alva-whoever he may be-"
"And you don't know who the a.
sassin wasY'
mo. Only 1t must have been one
Of certain men; perhaps two were In
the affair. At FIRST l figured It out
to be Waldron alone; now am not
20 sure that Harris didn't have some
hand In 1t. They may have had the
affair all planned-the money was
passed over to Alva early in the eve
ming. didn't know Il then; / learned
this later. Krantz told me when we
were alone on the way back to New
York. Let's move along; there is q
policeman coming yonder."
The officer passed us slowly, swing
Ing his club. and eyed us curiously as
he went by; did not turn my head,
yet felt certain he stopped and looked
back as though wondering what our
business could be In that neighbor-
hood. We turned down still darker
side street before exchanging further
speech.
II believe / know what you arc"
said at last in low tones close to her
ear, IAN agent OF the Secret Service"
"Oh, NO; the honor you offer me is
far fsc great i have not attained
to any such officisl dignity"
Il rather expected you to deny;
but you offer me no other eIplana-
tion."
And 50 you decide to believe that1
Very well, Mr.. Severn, shall let you
have 1t ysur own way. You deserve
reward; only. pray, never suggest this
theory to any one else. Let it remain
our secret, win your
Your mockery does not change my
mind"
II had no expectation that 1t would !;
neither does 1t bring me salary. But,
seriously, forget all this raillery to-
night. and remember only that you
are with Marie Gessler. Whatever
her purpose may be, you are to be
legal only to her"
II am. absolutely" replied with a
conviction my voice was unable to
disguise. She turned her face quick
~, and In the dim light our eyes met.
you said that very earnestly. You
make me believe judged you right,
Philip Severn. Here is my hand"
clasped 1t tightly. the firm pres
sure Of the warm fingers sending an
instant thrill through every nerve of
ny body. It was net withdrawn. and
ws walked 80 closely together could
feel the slight pressure Of her form.
almsst resting against mine.
"Where are you taking meT
ITO Perond's French cafe-have
you ever heard of it7"
"Ns, think not"
II have been there with Summing
parties once or twice, with a plain
clothes man along, of course, to show
Ms the sights. 1t is not very respect
ahle, believe. although really 1 nev
sr saw anything particularly dan
gersus. Interesting and unconven
tional. Of course, but anticipate nj
trouble. unless we care to make II
ourselves. You see the cluster OF
lights at the next corner. That's
Perond's."
As gazed forward. she drew he,
hand from my grasp. and her form
Strengthened.
what am to do when we arriveY
Merely be the attentive escort
but not too attentive, please. Have
you dined7"
mo. ! was going to ask you"
"You need not ask mel am fam
ished. and this place is really famou,
for its meals"
Perond's was really underground Al
least you descended broad pair ol
steps to attain its entrance. and the
glass in windows and doors fronting
the street was heavily draped. pre-
venting any view OF the interior from
without. What was overhead coult
not be determined in the darkness
my eyes merely discerning the out
aincs of tall building, without q
gieam of light showing anywher,
from top to bottom. The front of the
restaurant. however, was Brilliant,
lit. and colored man in uniform
promptly held open the door as VIZ
began descending the stairs
within the vestibule maid re
lieyed us Of outside wraps. and thus
unencumbered we advanced through
open doors directly into the main
room. This was surprisingly large
apartment, filed with tables OF va
rious sizes and shapes. the majority
occupied by men and women. either
eating or drinking. Near the center
was a cleared space for dancing, but
at that moment uDoccupied. while
against the farther wall, on a rather