Omaha daily bee., 1922-05-28

am called dsssetivss do my work and
am honest Why . llttls detective ''''
Collars expression changed. he looked
anxious rather than angry, You won't
carry this 10 the old lady thsn'"
II would certainly not tell Mrs. punbarion'
Kent that saw YOU and her niece EN-
braelnk." Marie retorted hotly. "of what
business OF mine 10 IT. II ,ou wish that
promise. give H."
Coifax looked 30 relieved that Marie was
not afraid OF him, IL occurred 20 her sud
denly that she could make him tell her why
abe was called a detective. Then IL rushed
over her. her great opportunity.
But ask something In return she
added promptly. \ wish TO know what -
the trouble In this punbarton Kent family
that makes them all 30 strange. why do
they treat Mr.. Breck punbarton.ksnt ~
they do. and also why does he act 10
strangely"
Collar looked nonplused. Then he col.
lected himself. 20. it's just an abominabls
meas. tell you. Marie Ansoulemc. really
haven't bit OF hard feeling because you
used your fists on mo that first day. was
drunk-Im u fool when I'm drunk. When
] get worried I drink, and then do fool
things. You're not little detective or any
OF the rest OF it, take that back. ! know
you were not spying on us. l think you're
Z nice little thing. that's why when heard
you scream the other night ! went for Breck
there was no telling what he was up TO-
So I'm giving you good advice: there's going
TO be worse state OF things at Kent House.
It's sure to come. and the less you know
about 1t the better. Don't get mixed up In
it-just quietly clear out"
Marie eyed him for a moment. He did
not look angry. but he had a dissIpated.
reckless appearance He was quite the kind
who, when drinking. would not care what
wild thing he did. an irresponsible man. as
Mrs Dunbarton. Kent had said. Evidently
he and Bella were lovers-a secret affair
for when driving Mrs. Dunbarton Kent and
Bella they had passed him often and Bella
had looked over his head always. just ~
Mrs Dunbarton Kent did. They were do
ceiving Mrs. Dunbarton- Kent.
Marie distrusted Colfax utterly. She felt
he was trying to be pleasant simply because
he was afraid she would tell Mrs. Dunbarton.
Kent about his affair with Bella. and. nat.
urally. he would want her to leave Kent
House as soon as possible. But 1t was
strange that he should say to her almost
exactly what Breck had said. Breck had
refused to explain. but this man would have
to tell her what he meant by such advica-
She would make him do 1t.
Marie's little face was set hard. II have
no intention Of leaving this Kent House un-
less Mrs. Dunbarton-Kent should tell me
to co." she said firmly II like this family
there are those who have been kind to me.
But there is a thing I am determined to
know-why is it that even you speak Ill Of
Mr.. Breck Dunbarton-Ke
Colfax looked down. His hung head 70.
minded Marie painfully Of Breck's; he looked
Ill h,,k IL rIfvIH nI.A
and the dissipated lines in his face. "Con.
found itr he muttered Then he shrugged
"'Curiosity killed cat-it never killed .
woman bet it's killed many a man,
though. Look here. it's dangerous for me to
tell you. I'd rather not tell you, Marie
Angouleme. Hang it! My mother was =
Dunbarton-Kentr' He looked thoroughly dis
turbed
But Marie was immovable. "I will tell no
one," she promised firmly. "Of it and o9
your secret will say nothing to anybody. I
promise you. and keep promise"
For a moment Colfax looked at her ~
keenly as Breck might have dore-- you
will. guess" he said finally Perhaps
Brecks the one you like. But you're making
big mistake. Vests gentleman-he's
straight. He's been courted all his life, but
1t hasn't spoiled him. He loves artistic and
unusual things-hes clever. He has his own
fortune. too. and he doesn't have to wait for
his third Of the Dunbarton-Kent money.
West won't quarrel with any one-he's
always treated me like cousin-I like West
Everybody likes West. West and Breck and
Bella, the Dunbarton-Kent money Is to 80 to
them; Mrs. Dunbarton-Kent has only tho
income from 1t during her life. But there's
proviso in Mr.. Dunbarton-Kent's will that,
II either Of his heirs should commit crime,
como under the law. he. or she, viii
lose his or her portion. It's queer thing
not that you're not a fascinating girl and
good enough for anybody-that West has
fallen in love with you. II you're wise,
you'll leave Kent House and let West court
you somewhere else and marry you and keep
you away from all this family trouble. That's
my we'll meant advice. so don't ask me any
more-just take it.
1T Is not advice for which asked"
Marie fung at him. II am not in love with
anybody and least Of all with any persons
money. More than ever I wish you to tell
me the thing asked"
We'll. hear it thent' Colfax said in ex
asperation. "You have me in a corner.
can't afford not to tell you. Breck was born
and reared a thief Before he was twelve
years old he was skillful pickpocket When
he was fourteen he took to porch climbing.
He spent his fifteenth year In a reformatory.
Then an old New England preacher took
him into his family. He stole roll OF bills
from under the old mans pillow while he
was asleep and started out west with It and
was caught, and that time Breck went to
prison."
He was interrupted by Marie's gasp. She
was dead white and staring. Her arms had
grown lax and the spaniel slid to the ground.
u It's true, every word Of it, Colfax said.
" 1t happened away up in Maine, but Has.
lett. Mr.. Dunbarton-Kent's lawyer, heard
of 1t. for there was trial and Breck gave
his right name. Breckenridge Dunbarton.
Kent; the police had always known him as
Ken Smith. Then Mr.. Dunbarton- Kent went
to Breck's rescue. He did all he could to get
Breck short sentence-they gave him two
years. Mr.. Dunbarton-Kent was an awfully
good sort, good business man, too He'd
made lot OF money and he'd helped Vests
ather to make money. Bella's father was
40 account and when he died Mr. Dunbarton.
Kent took Bella into his family When
Vests father died, he gave West a home.
90. and looked after Vests money.
That was the kind of man Mr.. Dunbar.
on-Ken. was. He had faith in Breck. for
hero was something to be said Tor him
arecks father had been the black sheep Of
he family. crooked as he could be-the
had lost track OF him
ears before-Mr. Dunbarton- Kent hadn't
ven known that his brother had a son.
sreck's father was about as low down the
Gale a. man could get when he died and
eft Breck to shift for himself. Stealing