The St. Johns herald., 1921-11-24
CHAPTER Ix-cOntinued.


 "It was from Waldron then. no doubt. I'm glad you told me. The chances are they will both be where we are going, unless they have al- ready Quarreled over that bunch of easy money you spoke about"
 But has that been paid over by Krantz? Who has it?"
 ''The, fellow who put knife into AlVa-whOever he may be"
 And you don't know who the as- saSSin was?"
 "NO. Only it must have been one of certain men; perhaps two were in the affair. At first 1 figured it out to be Waldron alone; now | am not so sure that Harris didn't have some hand in it. They may have had the affair all planned-the money was passed over to Ava early in the eve ming. didn't know it then; learned this later. Krantz told me when we were alone on the way back to New York Let's move along; there is a policeman coming yonder."
 The officer passed us slowly, swing ing his club, and eyed us curiOusly as he went by; I 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.
 T believe I know what you are." 1 said last in low tones close to her ear, "an agent of the Secret Service" "Oh, no; the honor you offer me is far too great. I have not attained to any such official dignity"
 T rather expected you to deny; but you offer me no other explana- tiOn.'
 And so you decide to believe that2 Very we'll, NIT. Severn, I shall let you have 1t your own way. You deserve reward; only, pray, never suggest this theory to any one else. Let it remain our secret, will yOu?"
 Your mOckery does not change my mind"
 l had no expectation that it would !; neither does it bring me a 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 loyal only to her."
 "I am, absolutely" l replied with conviction my voice was unable to disguise. She turned her face quick iy. and in the dim light our eyes met, You said that very earnestly. You make me believe I 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 my body. It was not withdrawn, and we walked so closely together could feel the slight pressure of her form, almost resting against mine.
 Where are you taking mel"
 'To Perond's French cafe-have you ever heard of it?"
 "NO, think not"
 'I have been there with stunning parties once or twice, with a plain clothes man along, of course, to show us the sights. It is not very respect able, believe, although really I nev- CT saw anything particularly dan gerOus. Interesting and uncOnven- tiOnal, of course, but I anticipate no trouble, unless we care to make it ourselves. You see the cluster of lights at the next corner. That's PerOnd's.''
 As I gazed forward. she drew her hand from nay grasp, and her form Straightened.
 What am to do when we arrive?" Merely be the attentive escort but not too attentive, please. Have you dined?"
 "NO. I was going to ask you"
 "YOu need not ask mel am fam ished, and this place is really famous for ifs meals"
 PerOnd's was really underground; at least you descended a broad pair of 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 could not be determined in the darkness, my eyes merely discerning the out lines of a tall building, without a gIeam of light showing anywhere from top to bottom. The front of the restaurant, however, was brilliantly lit. and a cOIored man. in uniform promptly held open the door as we began descending the stairs.
 Within the vestibule a maid re- iieved us of outside wraps, and thus unencumbered we advanced through