The Challis messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1912-current, 1921-08-17
CHAPTER ix-centinvsd.

TT was from WaidrOn then, NO |
doubt. I'm glad you told me. The
chances are they will both be where
" are going. unless they have al
ready quarreled over that bunch OF
easy money you spoke about"
But has that been paid over BY
Krants1 Who has itf'
THE fellow who put q knife into
Alva-whoever he may be-"
"And you don't know who the as
sassin wasf'
"No. Only It must have been one
Of certain men; perhaps two were In
the affair. At FIRST l figured 1t out
to be Waldron alone; now l am not
30 sure that Harris didn't have some
hand in It. They may have had the
affair all planned-the money was
passed over to Alva early In the eve
ming. didn't know 1t then; learned
this later. Krantz told me when we
were alone on the way back to New
York. Let's move along; there IL q
policeman coming yonder."
The officer passed US slowly. swing.
Ing his club, and eyed US curiOusly as
he went by: 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 q still darker
side street before exchanging further
speech.
Il believe I know what you are"
I said at last in low tones close to her
ear, ian agent Of the Secret Service"
"Oh, no; the honor you offer me Is
far too great. have not attained
to any such ofilcial dignity"
n rather expected you to deny;
but you offer me no other explana.
tion."
"And 90 you decide to believe thati
Very well. Mr.. Severn. l shall let you
have It your own way. You deserve
reward; only. pray. never suggest this
theory to any one else. Let 1t remain
our secret. will your
"Your mockery does not change my
MIND"
II had no expectation that II would !;
neither does Il bring me . salary. But.
seriously. forget all this raillery to-
night, and remember only that you
are with Marie 0essler. Whatever
her purpose may be, you are to be
legal only to her"
n am. absolutely" replied with q
conviction my voice was unable ia
Snlaw,,ls~ 0h> ~,.n>A ho- p>no r,,lrk
~. and in the dim light our eyes met.
"You said that very earnestly. You
make me believe judged you right
Philip Severn. Here IL my hand"
l clasped 1t tightly, the Arm pres.
sure Of the warm fingers sending an
instant thrill through every nerve Of
my body. 1t was not withdrawn, and
W walked SO closely together could
feel the slight pressure Of her form
almost resting against mine.
"Where are you taking mel"
ITO Perond's French cafe-havt
you ever heard Of IT."
"No, think not"
II have been there with Summing
parties once or twice, with 4 plain
clothes mas along. Of course. to SHOW
~ the sights. 1t 10 not very respect
able. believe. although really new
Or saw anything particularly dan
gerous. Interesting and unconven
tional. Of course. but I anticipate n
trouble. unless we care to make !
ourselves. You see the cluster o
lights At the next corner. That
Perond's."
As l gaxed forward. she drew he
hand from my grasp, aud her foru
Strengthened.
"Whst am to do when we arriveY
Merely he the attentive escort
but not too attentive. please. Hav
you dinedI"
mo. ] was going to ask you"
"You need not ask mel am fam
ished. and this place IL really famou
for its meals"
Perond's was really underground; q
least you descended . broad pair q
steps to attain Its entrance. and tn
glass In windows and doors frontin
the street was heavily draped. PR
venting any view Of the interior frol
without. What was overhead coul
not be determined In the darkness
my eyes merely discerning the gu
lines Of q tall building. without
CLEAN Of light showing anywhe,
from top to bottom. The front Of III
restaurant, however. was brilliant
lit. and colOred man In uniforl
promptly held open the door as "
began descending the stairs.
Within the vestibule a maid r.
lieved MS Of outside wraps. and thr
unencumbered we advanced throur
open doors directly into the mai
room. This was q surprisingly lars
apartment. hiied with tables Of v,
riOus sizes and shapes. the ma jorit
occupied by men and women. eth.
eating or drinking. Near the cent,
was a cleared space for dancing. b,
at that moment unOccupied. Will
against the farther wall. on a rattle
high stage. Two cabaret singers We,
nOlsiiy entertaining the crowd. All,