The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1921-08-28

ihb mt.
Nov that his offer was accepted.
and his plan understood. the In
spector ave way to a d%isquieting
nervousness. He stood up and
stepped around the desk. putting his
hand on Garth's shoulder.
watch out for yourself" he fall
tered. 81 don't want another Kridel
case on my conscience"
Tho name dampencd Garth's n
thusiasm. lie had never known Joe
Kridei who. a rear ago. had been the
ascending star Of the bureau. But
the amer OF the young mans death
was depresslngly familiar TO him.
found stabbed through the heart in a
private house whose jewellers had
heard no alarm. The key To that
puzzle had never beon discovered.
Even the inspector had harbored the
nature OF Kridei's assignment that
night Of his murder.
Before making his arrangements
Garth called at the inspectors Hat.
This was. in fact. a preparation.
without seeing Nora he felt he would
not be armed to enter these unfair
lists with death.
He found her by the window in the
sitting room. She looked. he thought.
more Latin than usual. although the
black clothes she habitually wore &C
centuaied her dark hair and flashing
eyes. the olive complexion and regu-
lar features she had inherited from
her Italian mother.
She smiled up at Garth and. as al
ways IN face OF that smile. he recalled
the unexpiored neutral ground where
their minds had nev really met
This Impression had unquestlonably
RETARDED the development Of their re-
lations. II had until now held :heir
emotions In the leash Of friendship.
Garth had no Idea OF swapping that
cord at his entrance, but NOra's
proximity and the s~uddeuness Of an
unexpected gesture distilled logic and
fairness for tho moments irresistible
intnNication.
lltNE NhhlNt lFdNllHE wi AN' RRNh
she had dropped. met. The quick
contact was ~Ralyanic to Garth. But
after n moment he became a OF
the impassivity Of her fingers within
his violent grasp. He saw grave
trouble and an unanswerable doubt
extinguish the excitement In her eyes.
A -premonition reached him.
Don't look at ME like that. Nora.
D 49,. ..HUar a. FH a.
She shook her head. All at once
there were tears In her eyes. Her
hand lightly brushed her black skirt.
Jim. you've often asked me why
I wear these dark clothes. Now you
make me tell YOU. ! can trust your
Berause no one knows unless my
father guesses. For the man | was
going To marry. Jim, You see he
he died"
Garth arose and turned 10 the win
dow. He leaned there. staring az the
busy street. listening TO its Earring
discords.
TRY TO understand. Jim. I think
scarcely do myself. only know
u hurts TO sec YOU unhappy. Six
months ago, when you FIRST came, I
never dreamed a man could make
NNNH NNhA mum 'A'' w. AHN
again"
She sat down. hiding her face.
Later don't know. How can
I tell' How can anybody.
She arose. She spoke %wlstfully.
Then good-by. Jim. And you'll
try to understand? Maybe you'll
come 10 SEQ me Just the same when
you get back"
HNHFK.U rns huak - he aid
Garth waited At tho cnd Of the
bridge above Garrison. II was dark.
Al a short distance two men smoked
and chatted. They had Withdrawn
themselves IN response 10 Garth's
~mondipcss. lie fancicd they discussed
him as one already dead.
A whistle shrieked. Tho hills
rubbed. Flinging their cigars In tho
water. the men rcioiued Garth. IIe
slipped the mask from his pocket.
} and secrctcd his features behind It's
gray protection.
The train dashed across tho bridge.
sparks grinding from Us wheels.
When II stopped. painting sullenly
tho two men sprang aboard.
Garth watched them reappear. lead,
Ing a third who wore a grey mask
above a plain brown suit He heard
a croakinr. unnatural voice issue
/ from behind the mask.
Didn't look for you so soon
p friends
Excitement drove the melancholy
from Garth's brain The undcrtak.
ing had begun reassurinEly Sim.
mons had no suspicion that he wa
in the hands Of the police. Gartt
noticed also as the train went on thai
the passengers we're not aware Of tn,
substitution
At last the train paused for IN,
change from locomotive to e~lcctrii
car. Although he knew that nor
mally no passengers would board g.
7 At this place, he gnzed %anXiousll
, from the window \ man stood clos,
TO the track with the evident inicn
ton OF entering the train, Cart
saw him elude a brakeman. saw hiu
grasp the railing and swing himself
( out Of sight. A moment later thi
man walked into the car. stopped
dead. and turned sharp. inquisitiy'
eyes an the gray mask.
You must he a star gambler
Judging from your face"
He continued 30 stare as thnuFi