The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-08-08
CHAPTER TX
Kane Gets a Clue.

What little there was to learn Kane finally got. Chicoq, it seemed, had spied upon them until convinced that the American was a dangerous rival; but instead of putting him out of the way, Chicoq had assembled three or four-and had seized Andree Just as she was turning into the court from the Rue deS Abbesses. The girl had fought like a wildcat. hut they had thrust her into an ancient fiacre and had rahtled away down the hill.
 Kane was not unduly surprised at the abduction of Andree; nor was he particularly alarmed. He did not believe that Chicou would seek to harm her at once. He would secrete her insome obscure haunt, and try to force himself upon her. Only in case she proved obstinate would he ar- tempt violence.
 He got the two midinettes caTmed down at last. They were puzzled at Kane's ice-cold demeanor.
 In his heart there seethed a flame of hatred that would have amply sat isf1ed them could they have guessed it. He took them to supper at the amused to note that the disaster had not noticeably affected the1r Juvenile appetites. They were not afraid, they told him, to stay alone in their attic. In- deed, nothing would have induced them to move; for they felt that in some way Andree might be able to get word to them.
 Leaving them at their court. Kane plunged down the steep hill, his mind busily at work on the problem of To- eating Andree. He went directly to the Mill of the Half-Gods," and flashed a signal to the alert Victor who as soon as possible sidled over to his table.
 "At what hour are you through here. Victor?"
 ''But at two o'clock, monsieurl" Look for me outside at that hour I'll be in a taxi.''
 'fBien. monsieuri"
 And Victor strutted away, filled | with a delicious sense of import | ance. For Kane, who could think ot | nothing whatever to be doing, it was long time to wait. The thought of Andree a prisoner in the filthy rooms | of Chicoqs gang, was intolerable He drank more. wandering from cafe tc | brasserie, than he had ever done save once before, but his high ner- vous tension threw off the alcohol | Shortly before two o'clock his | taxi-auto was drawn up a discreet l block or two below the Mill" and | from its dark interior he watched with somber eyes. Ten minutes | after the hour the little chasseur now in shabby street clothes, passed | swiftly out. looked keenly up ana | down. and then sauntered with a fine nonchalance, hands in pockets, and naugthiIy puffing a rank caporal | down past where Kane waited. 1 As he came opposite, the door, heIe | unlatched, flew open. A long, sinewy arm shot out, strong fingers secured | a firm grip on Victor's collar, and he | was snaked inside so uneNpectedl, lhhat he dropped his precious cigar | ette. which he had treasured up only
 one quarter smoked, from the table | of a departing guest SimuhaneouslJ the cab, it's engine having been kep | racing, shot ahead It was as brett, | an imitation of an abduction as on, | would care to see; ana a sleepy gen | darme down the street rubbed hi | eyes and wondered if he had dozeS | off on duty
 Carefully and haltingly to his age | audience of one, Kane explained wha
 had happened, his recital punctuatec | by vitr.olic gutter-argot explosion | from Victor
 | T want you to go to work for me | Victor. Leave the place you are in
 and go to your sisters. I shall fee
 safer to have a man with them a
 night" The loose buttons on Vic
 tors waistcoat threatened to leav ' their moorings. You are 10 worI
 for me, and be paid by me- I ex
 poet you to keep your eyes and ear
 open, and pick up whatever scrap
 of news you can in such resonts a
 Chicoq's crowd hangs out in. It.
 no use my doing this-I wouldn't un
 derstand it if they were telling tn
 whole story at the next table to mine
 Get the idea?
 Vitor assured him he dfd. And I'll come round every nigh
 to find what you've picked up," h | concluded "If it's very importan nj
 beat it over to my hotel and send ul
 this card. Here!"
 He thrust a scribbled pasteboar, into the boys hand. gave him a lftti
 sheaf of notes. and let him out at tn
 Church of Notre Dame de Loretta