The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1922-06-30
CHAPTER XIX.
Two and Two Make -Four.

Clarendon Bromfield. For the thirt
time that morning the clubman's vale
found himself overborne by the In
slstence 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"
'Yes, sir, but he said"
Hell change his mind when he
knows why we're here" Whtford
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 a broad, boyish smile at the
mans discontinue.
1.-THE person inside wouldn't take no,
miss. for an answer.
HE was like us, wasn't he? Did he
| give his manner" asked the young
woman.
mo, 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-
vent their entrance. He stood silent
for q 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.
won't you introduce us, Clarendonw
he asked bluntly.
Reluctantly their host went through
the formula. lie was extremely I'M
easy. There was material for an ex-
plosion present in this room that would
blow him slzy-high If a 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. 1t 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 flutters
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 Oh thugs hHeW.
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
1t they all knew except Lindsay's |
friends? 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
you've got to make open
Clary."
The ex-pugilist chewed his cigar and
looked at her.
"What would he confess? That the
man with him murdered Co.lins?"
That's not true" said the girl
quickly.
$50 Llndsay'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
slow about you. Bromfeld" he
sneered.
The clubman stiffened. 1--WE nothing
against Mr.. Lindsay"
Thought you mad"
COZ course he hasn't. Why should
he?" asked Beatrice, backing up Clar-
endon.
Durand looked at her with a bold in
science that was an insult. His eyes
moved up and down the long, slim
curves of her figure. Il expect he could
find a handsome reason If he looked |
around for 1t. miss"
The girls father clenched his fist A
flush of anger swept his ruddy cheeks.
He held himself, however. to the sub
iect
"You forget, Mr.. Durand, that Lind
"a loc MI