The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1922-03-31

| thieves, and that I am likely either | to part with it, or, through gratitude, l share it. In spite of appearances | last night, I was not a thief" "And tonight, Miss Gray-in spite of appearances? he challenged He was regarding her with eyes that, while they appraised shrewdly. held a lurking hint of irony in their depths. And somehow, suddenly, self-proclaimed crook though she held him to be, she found herself seized with an absurd, unreasonable but nevertheless passionate, desire to make good her words
 "Yes, and tonight, tool'' she as- serted. I did not steal this neck lace. I-never mind how'll got It. It was planned to put the theft on an innocent mans shoulders I was trying to thwart that plan. Whether you believe me or not, I did not come here to steal the necklace; I came here to return it.
 Quite so! Of courseI" acknowl- edged the Adventurer softly. 'T am afraid I interrupted you, then, in the act of returning it. Might I sug- gest. therefore, Miss Gray, that as it's a bit dangerous to finger around here unnecessarily, you carry out your intentions with all possible haste and get away
 And you?' she queried evenly Myself, of course, as wen.' He shrugged his shoulders philosophical ly. Under the circumstances, as a gentlemen-wiH you let me say prefer that word to the one I know you are substituting for it-what else can I do?''
 She bit her lips, Was he mock ing her? The gray eyes were in- scrutable now.
 Then please do not let me de- tain your'' she said sharply. And in my turn, let me advise you to go at once. I intend t. knock one of those shields down from the wall be- fore I go, in order to arouse the household. I will, however, in part payment for last night, allow you three full minutes from the time you climb out of that window, so that you may have ample time to get away
 He stared at her in frank be wild erment.
 Good Lordl" he gasped. You you're joking, Miss Gray"
 No, I am not,'' she replied coolly. From from iti There was money stolen that I cannot replace, and the theft of the money would be put up- on the same innocent shoulders. see no other way than the one
 
 to this room is permitted to get a glimpse of me. and is given the inn pression that the necklace, which l shall leave on the floor, was dropped in my haste, the supposition remains that, at feast, I got away with the money. I am certainly not the inno- cent man who has been used as the pawn; and if I am recognized as the White Mo1l, what does it matter after last night ?''
 He took a step toward her impetu- ously. Her revolver had swung to a level with his head.
 Pardon mel" he said.
 ''Not at all" she said caustically.
 For the first time, as she watched him warily, the Adventurer appear ed to.lose some of his self-assurance. He shifted a little uneasily on his feet and the corners of his eyes puck cred into a nest of perturbed wrinkles.
 'I say, Miss Gray, you can't mean this!'' he protested. You're not serious!"
 'T have told you that I am,'' she answered steadily. Those three min utes that I gave you are going fast"
 "Then look here!' he exclaimed earnestly 'I'u tell you something. said had been trying to find you tonight. It was the truth I went to Gypsy Nan's-and might have been spared my pains. I told her about last night, and that I knew you were in danger, and that I wanted to help you. I mention this so that you will understand that I am not just speak ing on the spur of the moment, now that have an opportunity of repeat ing that offer in person."
 She looked at him impassively for a moment. He had neglected to state that he had also told Gypsy Nan he desired to enter into a partnership with her-in creime.
 "It Is very kind of you," she said sweetly. 1T presume, then, that you have some suggestion to make?''
 "Only what any-may say it?- gentleman would suggest under the circumstances. It is far to danger ous thing for a woman to attempt; it would be much less dangerous for me. I realize that you are in earnest now, and I will agree to carry out your plan in every detail once I am satisfied that you are safely away"
 ''The idea being" she observed monotonously. that. being safely away, and the neckless being left safely on the floor, you are left safely in possession of-the necklace. We'll, ny answer is-no!"
 His face hardened a lite
 I'm sorry, then" he said ''For n that case, Tn so lar as your prpJoct $ concerned, I, too. must sav-no"
 It was an impasse. She studied his face. the strong jaw set a litle 1ow. the lips molded in sterner lines, md for all her outward show of com DOsure. she knew a sick dismay. And Sor moment she neither moved nor spoke. What he would do next, she lid not know; but she knew quite well that he had not the slightest intention of leaving her here undis- -urbed to carry out her plan. unless ln1eSs, somehow, she could outwit him She bit her lips again. And then inspiration came She turn ed, and with a sudden leap gained the wall, and the next instant, holding him back with her revolver as she reached up with her left hand, she caught at the great metal shield with it's encircling cluster of small arms and wrenched it from it's fasten.ngs It crashed to the floor with a din internal that in the night silence