The St. Johns herald., 1921-09-29
CHAPTER V-continued
looked at him doubtfully.


 "Well, of course, I've got to think so," I admitted, hoping to gain further enlightenment, ''but you leaTe me pretty well in the dark. What do l really know? Nothing. You talk glibly about a million you propose go- ing fifty-ffty with me on. That nat urally sounds good, but it would sound better if I even knew who I was deal ing with. never saw you before in my life"
 "Hl, that's sO," he grinned cheer fully, 'T forgot I wasn't talking to an old pal. Just to be sure you're Harry Daily was enough to make me cough up, but that don't help you out, does it? Ever hear of Gentleman George in your ravels?"
 George Harris !" the name leaped 10 my lips in inspiration; only the day before had chanced to read maga- zine account of a famous criminal ex- ploit His eyes gleamed in genial ap- preciation.
 q thought maybe that would fetch you" he said exultantly. "There ain't many of the old boys but have my number, and they all know I play square. How is it? Will we shake hands, and call it deal? I've got to get back in with that bunch"
 I took the extended hand cordially, feeling the iron grip of his fingers. l do not believe was ever more fright ened in my life, although outwardly cool enough, and my brain perfectly clear. There was no retreat possible. must go on, acting out the strange character in this drama to which had been assigned.
 'But you are not known by that name here% I Tentured.
 '1 should say not. Pm Horner, P. S. Horner of Detroit. SeeI That's the guy who had the papers. He was English all right but pretended to be United States, and had a passport to come through with this bunch. So I've got the bull by the tail-for cool million, old man, million. All Pm afraid of is this d-d woman-they al- ways did get my goat"
 keep still, and let her show her cards" I suggested, feeling the neces- sity of saying something.
 'What Pm aiming to do. We'll, so long, Daily. I'll be back presently with everything straight. Better turn out the light, or some one might wander in here"
 I was alone again, in the dark, but under vastly different circumstances than when wandering blindly about between those imprisoning factory walls. With no effort of my own, purely by blind chance, I had been given a new name and identity, and as instantly inducted into a revolutionary criminal plot as fascinating as it un- doubtedly was dangerous. Who Harry Daily might be had not the slightest conception. yet there was no escape from the conviction that Harris be- lieved blindly fin my identity. He was not acting, for he would have no pos sible object in such pretense. was to his mind Harry Daly, well-known criminal, an international thief, a man after his own heart, to be warmly well comed into partnership as most valu- able ally.
 What should I do under these peculiar circumstances? Seek to es- cape during his absence, and thus frighten the covy, or remain, and trust fortune to show me a way to both ex- pose their villainy and save myself? I was young, adventurous, and I chose the latter. thinking less of the danger, I admit, than of the mystery of the case. and-yes, the girl.
 Harris had spoken confidently of gaining possession of a large sum-a million dollars, surely a stake worth daring much fOr-but how, by what