The Farmington times. (Farmington, St. Francois County, Mo.) 1905-1926, 1922-11-10

'"rhe 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.
mo, miss. just suid he was from
the Omnium club"
Whitford and his daughter ex-
changed glanceS. Same business we're
on. Announce us and well go right
in"
They were on his heels when he gave
their names.
Bromfeld started up, too late to pre-
vent their entrance. He stood silent
for moment, uncertain what TO do,
disregarding his tiancee's glance Of hos
tile inquiry lifted toward the other
guest.
The mining man forced his hand.
won't 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 il u match should
be applied to 1t. Let Durand get to tell
ing what he knew about Clarendon and
the WhltfOrds 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. II 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 fiutters
of fear during the last twelve hours
that H. 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 futhomed---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 ii be that he was
afraid Clay had told her? What was
1t they all knew except Lindsay's
friends? And why, since Clarendon
was trembling lest 1t be discovered.
should the Arizonan, TOO, join the con-
spiracy of silence2 At any rate she
would not uncover her hand.
ale told us several things" she said
significantly. you've got to make open
confession, Clary,'
The ex-puglist chewed his cigar and
looked at her.
what would he confess? That the
man with him murdered Collins"
That's not true" said the girl
quickly.
$50 LindSays 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, BronfieldT he
| sneered.
The clubman stiffened. "Iivc nothing
against Mr.. Lindsay"
Thought you had"
"Of course he HASN'T Why should
-he?" asked Beatrice. backing up Car
endOn.
Durand looked at her with Il bold in
science that was an insult. His eyes
| moved up and down the long, slim
curves Of her figure. II expect he conle
find handsome reason If he lcolsec
around for 1t. miss"
The girls father clenched his fist. 4
flush of anger swept his ruddy cheeks
He held himself, hewever, to the sub
! ject.
You forget Mr.. Durand, that Lind
say was his guest last night"
Jerrys laugh WAS contemptuous
/ jeer That's right III forgot that. He
was your guest. wasn't he. BromfieldY
whats the good of discussing il
here?" asked the tortured host.
Not bit" admitted Wlitford. SAC
lions talk, not words. Have you seer
the police yet, Bromiield?"
'N-not yet"
whats he gonna see the polio,
aboutT" Jerry wanted to know, his chin
| iutting out.
"To tell them that he saw Collins
draw n gun and heard shots fred" re.
| tOrted the mining man instantly.
( Not what he's been tellin' me. Hell
not pull any such stofy-not unless he
wants TO put himself in cell for life
Talk sense. You can't frighten
Bromfleld. He knows that's foolish
ness"
Does hep" The crook turned de
risive eyes on the victim he was tor
turing.
Certainly the society man did moi