Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1922-10-06
CHAPTER XIX.

Clarendon Bromfield. For the third
time that morning the clubman's valet
found himself overborne by the In
sistence of visitors.
Were coming In, you know" the
owner of the Bird Cage told him in an
swer to his explanation of why his mas
ter could not be seen. "This is impor-
tant business and we've got to see
Bromfield."
eyes, sir, but he said"
Hell change his mind when he
knows why we're here" Whitford
pushed in and Beatrice followed him.
From the adjoining room came the
sound of voices.
II thought you told us Mr.. Bromfield
had gone to sleep and the doctor said
he wasn't to be awakened" said Bea-
trice with broad, boyish smile at the
mans discontinue.
"The person inside wouldn't take no,
miss, for an answer.
He was like us, wasn't he? Did he
give his name?" asked the young
woman.
"No, miss. Just said he was from
the Omnium club"
Whitford and his daughter ex-
changed glances. "Same business we're
on. Announce US and we'll go right
in.'
| They were on his heels when he gave
their names.
Bromfield started up, too late to pre-
,1f, II esfI
for a moment, uncertain what to do,
disregarding his fiancee's glance of hos
| tile inquiry lifted toward the other
| guest.
The mining man forced his hand
wont you introduce us, Clarendon"
| he asked bluntly.
Reluctantly their host went through
| the formula. He was extremely I'M
easy. There was material for an ex~
! plosion present in this room that would
blow him sky-high if match should
| be applied to it. Let Durand get to tell
| ing what he knew about Clarendon and
| the Whitfords would never speak to
him again. They might even spread a
true story that would bar every house
and club In New York to him.
"We've heard of Mr.. Durand," said
Beatrice.
Her tone challenged the attention of
the gang leader. The brave eyes flashed
defiance straight at him. A pulse OF
anger was throbbing in the soft round
throat.
Inscrutably he watched her. It was
his habit to look hard at attractive
women. "Most people have" he admit
| ted.
"Mr. Lindsay is our friend" she said.
| 'We've just come from seeing him."
The man to whom she was engaged
had been put through so many futters
| of fear during the last twelve hours
| that new one more or less did not
matter. But he was still not shock
proof. His fingers clutched tighter the
arm of the chair.
"W-what did he tell your"
Beatrice looked into his eyes and
read in them once more stark fear.
Again she had feeling that there was
something about the whole affair she
had not yet fathomed-some secret
that Clay and Clarendon and perhaps
this captain of thugs knew.
She tried to read what he was hiding,
CROPPED in her mind for the key to his
terror. What could it be that he was
afraid Clay had told her? What was
it they all knew except Lindsay's
friends7 And why, since Clarendon
was trembling lest it be discovered,
should the Arizonan, too, join the con-
spiracy of silence? AT any rate she
would not uncover her hand.
HE told us several things" she. said
significantly. you've got to make open
confession, Clary."
looked at her.
'What would he confess? That the
man with him murdered Collins?"
That's not true" said the girl
quickly.
$50 Lindsay's your friend, Ell? Diff
ferent here, MISS" Jerry pieced to-
gether what the clubman had told him
and what he had since learned about
her. He knew that this must be the
girl to whom his host was engaged.
"How about you, Bromield?" he
sneered.
The clubman stiffened. "rve nothing
against Mr.. Lindsay"
Thought you had"
"Of course he hasn't. Why should
hep asked Beatrice. backing up Clar-
endon.
Durand looked at her with bold in
science that was an insult. His eyes
moved up and down the long, slim
curves of her figure. 81 expect he could
find a handsome reason if he looked
around for it, miss"
The girls father clenched his fist a
flush of anger swept his rcddy cheeks.
He held himself, however, to the sub
ject.
"You forget, Mr.. Durand, that Lind
say was his guest last night"