The St. Johns herald., 1922-01-26
Copyright, by Randall Parrish


 so you came here."
 q had but two choices-to seek in- formation either through Adolph Krantz or Sarah WaldrOn. I chose to try Krantz first"
 And you really had no suspicion I was to be found herew
 "NOne whatever. Why should I? Not even yet do I know whom I am speaking with"
 "Oh, yes, you do-Marie Gessler. 'revOlutiOnist, messenger to the Chilean junta." She laughed, her eyes spark ling. Does not that satisfyT
 Far from it; 1 believe am en- titled to even mOre"
 Indeed you are. I have the honor of being also private secretary to MT. Adolph Krantz. Now, what next?"
 "Well, when he writes you check, what name does he make it payable tOT"
 'Iet me see; did you ever know any one called Tom Longdale?"
 Did I Why, great Scott you can- not mean that you are actually Helen? It is not possible"
 "Oh, yes, it is; little girls grow up, you know. And now If you will be very good and quiet I am going to tell you just how it all happened. What led me to become a desperate conspiratOr, and-well, yes-a famous detective. Are you all ready for my cOnfessiOnY"
 She rested her hand on mine, and permitted my fingers to close over it, in a spirit of frank good fellowship.
 "Then listen; it may make you Shudder in some of its blood-curdling details. and possibly you may con. slider my actions very unwomanly. Now just be quiet until finish"
 Her eyes met mine earnestly, but 1 felt could perceive a certain plead ing in her depths.
 q am Tom Longdale's sister Helen. As you doubtless know, financially there is no necessity for my seeking employment. Indeed I did not seek it, but was induced to accept this pO- Sition at the request of MT. Krantz. who has been a lifelong friend of my fathers. I enjoy the work, however, and have been here now nearly three years. Adolph KrantZ is a most IOv- able man, and 1 am devoted to his service. He is an Austrian by birth, and has found it more or less difficult to get away from that influence. Much money from Europe passes through his hands in financing various schemes, and among others this revolutionary fund was intrusted to him. At first he accepted this in the ordinary course of business, without suspicioning its purpose, but later learned how the money was being expended. The mo- ment he became doubtful, Mir. Krantz absolutely severed all connections with these plotters and their schemes. While this was thoroughly understood officially, in Washington, where he re- ported his suspicion, certain circles, engaged in underhand work, still be lieved he could be used for their pur- poses.
 "Yet he accepted the trust?"
 "In a way, yes; but with perfectly loyal intent. As soon as word se- cretly reached him that he was to be thus used, he laid the full facts before the officials of this bank. 1 was present as his secretary, and learned then for the first time what 1 have already told you. They ad- vised that he make the plot known immediately to the authorities at Washington. He was directed to ac- cept the order, and thus, through seeming cooperation, learn the details connected with it. There was delay; for some reason .Lva was not quite ready to go ahead. and refused to draw the money. Proof of conspiracy was lack ing until this was cOnSummated. Mir. KrantZ, being afraid that he would be followed if he went again to Wash ingtOn, delegated me to go, as l was entirely unknown. The Secret Serv- ice there outlined a plan designed to hurry matters. I was to be sent di- rect to these men-Alva, in particular with positive instructions from tho higher powers in Washington to draw the money and get busy. As speak Spanish easily, and took the name of a well-known female revolution ist now in this country, but unknown | even to Ava, the task did not seem | a specially dangerous One."
 She passed for a moment, her mind | gathering up the odds and ends of narrative.
 "It is not necessary that go fur ther into detail. 1 met Captain Ava as planned, and was taken to the place where his gang gathered. Krantz was there with the money, and my message compelled the Chilean to ac- cept, and receipt for 1t. Government