The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1922-10-19
Absolutely
Nothing
By mYRA c. LANE

NttA+a &fNtA"ts NAAAN-i iiAffus ne
gray eyes blazing confronted Alar
Lesson in the office Of the deteetiv,
agency.
] She vas a magnificent woman. with
the appearance Of some queen Of trag
/ edy Tail. wlIlowy. erect, she doml
mated the man. controlled him. ter
rorized him by the force Of her per
sOnalliy.
Nevertheless. Leeson pulled himself
together Milne is a legitimate pro
fession, Mrs. Norton he answered
coldly.
so is the spy's," she answered.
you are no better than spy. the
lowest meanest thing that ever
craWled upon the face Of the earth. 8
Alan Lesson bit his lip His eyes
fell lie knew that IL was true
How much is my husband paying
you for this wonderful discovery that.
before | married him, | had what is
commonly called paste"
Lesson might have rejoised that he
had a retainer OF hundred dollars
day. with twenty-five thousand more
10 be paid upon discovery of evidence
which would enable him 10 obtain a
divorce And he might have said
what, In fact, he was going 10 say
that he had won the bonus
THAT is part of my private bust
ness Mrs Norton he returned
And you think 4 legitimatea"
Was II legitimate on your part TO
behave as you have done, morally
speakingf"
Il can't discuss my affairs with
you. | shall put up the hardest fight
possible You know what sort Of crea-
ture has hired you 10 spy on me-a
man from whom would separate my.
self as soon as possible If Il were
not for my child. You know his repu-
tationT
mo. Mrs. Norton. | am not hired
10 inquire into your husbands reputa-
ton"
You know why he has suddenly
become so eager 10 discover certain
facts? You know that be is in the
clutches Of certain notorious
woman. and is anxious to marry
herr"
at may be possible, bat | assure
you il is not my affair ! cannot dis
cuss my employers business, said the
private detective.
And how does be propose to obtain
his divorce on the ground that | had
this past'Y
"Your former husband, Mrs Norton.
is living
An incredulous cry escaped her.
"Living7" She clasped her hands to-
gether oh surely-surely you are
deceiving me, Mr. Leeson He died
eight years ago, before / married Mr..
Norton under my maiden name"
Unfortunately, he did not When
your husband placed the matter IN my
hands, discovered rather by acct F.
dent that James Bannerley's death
was fegned, for the purpose Of en-.
abling him to escape the attentions Of 1
the police. His international coups |
had netted him a considerable sum of
money, and. ike prudent man, he /
decided to assume another name and 1
retire from the world He has re
tired very smoothly and safely. his
past has been forgotten, and he is not 4
likely 10 come into prominence
again"
'Where-where in heavens name Is
hef"
"He Is member OF parliament for
a district in South Australia, and
prominent farmer there He is hap
PLY married and has four children"
"And that's the man once loved
md married." murmured Thelma Nor
on And suddenly she turned TO
Leeson
you are getting probably a large
sum for your Investigations don't
snow whether you get more for find
ng this evidence, but have you no
llty at allf"
PITY doesn't 90 with my profess
ion. Mrs Norton
"My little boy. deprived Of a
Mothers care, my reputation"
II can do nothing Tor you, Mrs Nor
on answered the detective
Then God do so to you and more
lso {" she retorted rs she swept out
Z the Office
Next afternoon Lesson stood before
r. employer Norton ehewed his
igar az his desk. Lees0n had bis type
.rltten report In his pocket
"Leeson" said Norton. II sent for
on because His voice J
ropped. see here. I guess there's !
othing you can find Thelma isn't
bat type Of woman. So-we'ye got I
) manufacture something. See7 Some
gidence that II give me what ! want. Z
we've got 20 get false affidavits
nd
Lesson started. eve don't Do that :
ind ~ business. Mr.. Norton be an
vered
Don't. ehf Then I'll have 20 get Z
,meone who does You've had a fine
1 II money out ~ me and 80 far z
lu've found out absolutely nothing