The diamond drill., 1921-05-07
CHAPTER v.


must have failed 10 grasp the 1uli
meaning OF what she said. or else II
never occurred 10 me that her retire
ment would be made through this par
ticuiar door. At least she had pushed
II wide open before I realized the ne
cessity OF retreat. and i was hemmed
In behind It's barrier, fortunately Sc
curely hidden from the eyes Of those
In the larger apartment. Some one
Alva, no doubt, from his words and
voice-was beside her as she emerged.
and. indeed, II might have been his
hand that swung the door back against
me. I stood there startled, unable TO
move, afraid that my very breathing
might be overheard
"You leave at midnight, you say,
senorita." he protested In Spanish;
'but surely you Intend TO remain ut
presentr'
Until you reach some final decision
yes; that Is my mission"
II shall see to that at once; we will
draw lots. You can wait either I'm this
room, or another just beyond. Prom
Use you will not go until see and talk
with you again"
II promise that-so you are not too
long. / must make that train"
"Y0u shall make It. My car Is only
two blocks away, and pledge myself
20 have you there on time. All this
business can be attended to In half On
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 scream.
She was startled almost beyond con-
troll, yet mastered the fright instantly.
She glanced about at the partially
open door, and silently closed II tight
ly.
"What-what are you doing here1"
she gasped In English, her voice trem-
bling. "Listening?"
mo" lied. seeing but one pos
sible means OF escape, and hoping
thus Go prevent her sounding an i'm
mediate alarm IL was waiting for a
friend who Is inside. / just came into
this room"
"You actually belong here, then?
You are one OF these men"
"Not exactly" had 10 admit. IL
know one of them very well, and he
stationed me out here"
She appeared puzzled, doubtful, yet
TO my surprise still held the door tight
ay closed, her eyes searching my face.
"Who is the man you know-your
particular friendT'
hesItated an instant the name es-
Gaping me.
"Horner."
-oh, indeed: you we're not very
prompt to answer"
"Well," / said, and managed TO
smile, as though II was OF little conse-
quence, "you see have not always
known him by that name. There are
times when names need to be changed
occasionally"
"True," she admitted soberly. "Do
Won mind gratifying the curiosity OF a
woman as to what his real name
might bet"
II could not. II so desired. Ever
since I knew him he has been called
Harris. That is all can say"
Harris Then he Is not Chilean.
and never before pretended to be. /
thought that from the first. Is the
man American. English or Irishi"
shook my head.
~You won't answer. That may be
Ignorance or II 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-thenr
"we met later"
Her lips smiled a little, and her
eyes.
'Did / merely dream that you ap-
peared somewhat interested In me nc
the time, or was IL truer
~It was true" / answered honestly.
.sYou did interest me. You didn't APP
pear the sort to. be making a rem
devious out OF saloon. however re-
spectacle II might be. The proprietor
even volunteered the information that
you were his niece"
.DId he, Indeedi That was very
nice OF him. wasn't itf Rather odd. Is
II not, that you should later drop In
here. and fnd me again. What do
you think OF me now7r
I looked at her for a moment before
I answered, unable 10 frame my words
20 any satisfaction. What did she
meanf What exactly was she driving
at7 Her whole manner puzzled me ex-
ceedlngiy. Was she PLAYING me for q
fooli Was she attempting 70 lead me
on. Tor soma secret purpose OF her