The Holbrook news., 1922-09-08

sistence 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" Whltford pushed in and Beatrice followed him. From the adjoining room came the sound of voices. q thought you told us Mir. Bromf1eld had gone to sleep and the doctor said he wasn't to be awakened" said Bea- trice with broad, boyish smile at the mans discontinue.
 "The 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.
 "No, 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 moment, uncertain what to do, disregarding his fiancee's glance of hos ho guest.
 The mining man forced his hand. Wont you introduce us, Clarendon?" he asked bluntly.
 Reluctantly their host went through the formula. He was extremely un- easy. There was material for an ex- plosion present in this room that would blow him sky-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 true story that would bar every house and club in New York to him.
 We've heard of MT. 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. It 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 a 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 you?"
 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 of thugs knew.
 She tried to read what he was hiding. groped 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 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 significantly. You've got to make open confession, Clary."
 The ex-pugilist 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.
 ''So Lindsay's your friend, eh? 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, Bromfield?" he sneered.
 The clubman stiffened. i've nothing against Mir. Lindsay"
 Thought you had"
 "Of 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. "I expect he could find a handsome reason If he looked around for It. miss"
 The girls father clenched his fist. A flush of anger swept his ruddy cheeks. He held himself. however. to the sub- ject.
 You forget, Mir. Durand, that Lind say was his guest last night"
 Jerry's laugh was contemptuous jeer. That's right. I'd forgot that. He was your guest, wasn't he, Bromfield?"
 What's the good of discussing it here?" asked the tortured host.
 Not bit," admitted Whitford. "Ac- tions talk, not words. Have you seen the police yet, Bromfield?"
 ''N-not yet"
 "What's he gonna see the police about?" Jerry wanted to know. his chin