The diamond drill., 1921-06-18

by blood-ye2 but born In Pos
Land; Captain Afvn's mother was also
Pole: this brought us closer to-
gether.-
And you have mo suspicion Of any
one who could have known. and been
guilty of this murder and robbery
-why should II Why you ask me
that7- excitedfy. There were many
there: perhaps all know except me
You not suppose know he--he diet"
-Oh. no; merely thought you
might have some suspicion. that was
all. II was stranse weapon he was
killed WITH
"A strange weapon What you
mean. a strange weaponf DO they
know what II was that killed himr
Certainly; IL was picked up In the
bottom OF the auto--a dagger hat
pin. such as women wear. See. IL
was Just like this OF NINE"
She must have pucked the orna-
ment from out her own hat and laid
II ON the desk. for heard the faint
click OF its fall There was q mo
ment OF intense silence, and could
vision the intense horror with which
he was staring at the instrument. un-
able to command words.
THAT thingl" he burst forth final-
ly. "Killed with thatl"
mo. not that; but one exactly like
IT,"
"who says so--the pollcef Gottl
II could not kill man. Why you tell
me this--why?"
"Oh, only because / thought you
might be interested. However. let's
not talk about II any more. You will
settle that account before the close
OF banking hours tomorrow"
"Ii Yes. / will settle"
There was the sound OF a foot on
the cement floor OF the corridor with
out, and, almost at the same instant
the electric light, which had been
tufned on. revealed a mans shadow
on the glass OF the closed door. He
seemed to stand there hesitatingly !;
then he raped with his knuckles on
the glass: a. N l..z-LL;.:isi -
hattened myself out against the
inner wall OF the closet, aware that
the two i9 the second Office were COM
ing forward together. Wine giving
vent TO a startled oath In his excite
ment He strode straight 10 the door.
and opened IL with jerk.
"Yol hey What the devil do you
want here?"
"A word with you. and d--n
quick"
It was waldron's voice. but his
speech ended abruptly. as his eyes
caught sight OF the woman. She
wasted no time.
II was Just going" she said calm
ly. ignoring him, but speaking directly
10 Wine. II will see you tomorrow
then"
She passed between the two, with
out 80 much as favoring the Russian
with a glance, and he stared after
her with open mouth, then stepped
back to watch her progress down the
corridor. Wine drew him hastily
aside. closing the door tightly and
shooting the night-latch.
The DIN girl never locks this door
when she goes out" he muttered
angrily, wheeling about TO face the
other. snow, speak up. will you
what sends you buttIng In herer
"Well, first you tell me-" Numbered
Waldron. gripping the other angrily
with one hand. what business that
female has with you? BY God. Wine,
II you are trying 10 double-cross, you'll
find me no easy mark. Answer. you
cur-what was she here for?"
Nothing, only private business"
"You promised 10 see her tomor-
rowf'
"Yes, II was TO pay a note. Come
In here and I'll explain all. There's
nothing to frighten you. Waldron."
The two disappeared Into the inner
room. waldron's voice still rumblIng.
with Wine interjecting n word now
and then. I ventured 20 stand erect
again In the confines OF the closet,
and press my ear to the crack OF the
inner door. Both men were confident
of being alone, and so deeply i'm
mersed In their own affair as to speak
with little restraint Waldron, really
afsrightened at this discovery of Miss
Gessler. adopted the method OF bully
TO carry his point more eager than
ever to escape the city.
well" he began, humping the
desk with a fist NOW you begin 10
spill. Don't try TO work any game
on me. What do you mean by pay
ing a note? You owe her somethingT"
NO now listen, and don't get mad.
/ tell you just how IL was" and Wine
endavored TO be smooth and plaus-
ible, his voice pitched so low ! had
difficulty In herring the words. "She
said was TO sncceed Alva, and be
the revolutionary agent; partly she
came TO tell me this. but some way
she lenrning of my Indebtedness, that
1 have an overdue note az the bank"
''How the hi did she know thatr'