The diamond drill., 1921-06-11

The girl laughed softly.
imagine ffe doesn't show up here
oftener than once IN six months. and
Saruh ges nothing from him. She
wouldn't know>-whyr-
~Becure. after all. H might be the
Russian; II u was he would have to
lie 10 Harris. and pretend to know
nothing. You heard how those two
talkci at Peronds. What did YOU
make OF itY'
She drew her eyes together, leaving
the marks OF frown on her fore
head.
THAT they had planned together TO
rob Alva: that Waldron was TO be
hidden somewhere outside. and was
10 wait for Harris 20 signal him that
the money had been paid over"
EXACTLY; Harris failed to learn
that the money changed hands. and
consequently did not signal. But
Waldron. nevertheless was outside
whiting; had no doubt spotted Alva's
machine, and was ready 10 act. The
one thing we do not know ts--did
Alva start home alone; or did one
OF the men accompany himf II the
fellow must have committed the
murder with Waldron a possible
accomplice after the crime. IL not
true, then the only other solution is
that Alva picked waldron up for com
partnership. Were they acquainted at
allT
II think so. but am not sure; you
said Waldron first reported this
chance 10 Harris"
$50 he did then II is quite possible
the two knew each other. That would
make II easy for the Russian to ask a
ride. Whoever struck the blow was In
the rear seat. This theory fits In all
right with his actions toward Harris"
What do you mean to dor
shadow Waldron; he is sure TO
expose himself sooner or later. We
must get away from here. out of the
hands OF those fellows. Could you
find your way TO the stairs In the
darkY'
Yes. have been here often"
Then / am going to turn out this
light before opening the door"
She led the way confidently enough.
moving silently along the wall,
keeping close so as 10 touch her. A
few steps brought US forth into the
hall at the head of flight OF stairs
leading downward. My fingers grlpped
the hanisters, while she stood aside
10 let me pass.
"You better 80 ahead now: the next
flight Is directly beyond this. and
ends nj the street door"
"You will follow"
"Of course; shall keep right be-
hind you"
We went down step by step, not
stair crcaking. or sound louder than
our own breathing. I reached the
last step, warned by the newell post.
and felt ahead with one groping foot
TO assure myself of the level beyond.
Her fingers grasped my sleeve, and
lips almost at my ear. whispered a
barely audible warning.
-Look 10 the right What Is thatT
II was dnll. red glow, mere pin
prick In the bincR curtain, yet II
seemed TO change In brilliancy. like an
evil eye wfnking at Us out OF the
dark There was something uncanny
about the thing. yielding me no sugges-
tion as To what II could be. yet
49, knl rxIno ne
such time and place. Then there
was borne 10 my nostrils the faint
odor Of tobacco smoke; II must be
man sitting there smoking; what we
saw was the red tip of his cigar.
Could we slip by unheard?
one OF us. al least, must escape from
the house before any alarm was
sounded. There was but one chance
left--for her TO slip silently down
that other flight OF stairs to the street
door while l remained behind 10 pro-
teet her flight. II there was no alarm,
no notice taken OF her passage,
possibly / might venture TO follow
without being overheard; but she
must go ffrst, her step was light, and
she was more sure Of the way. Be
sides. could block pursuit, by a
fight n necessary. and thus give her
ample time IN which 10 unchain and
open that 'front.' door. Once without,
these fellows would never follow.
! put my lips close against the girls
ear.
'Tt is a guard there smoking. Don't
try 10 answer, hut do exactly as l
say. One OF us, Mt least, must get
out: you stand the better chance
with my remaining behind 10 hold
these fellows hack II there should be
any alarm. m there Is not. I'll follow.
DO you understand f-answer with
Your hand"
felt the firm pressure Of her fingers
In quick response.
"The fellow evidently hasn't heard
anything yet--you better GO
felt her creep past me without a
sound, her hand slipping from my