Evening star., 1923-02-17
THE NEW COMRADE.
CHAPTER yyv

iiE,i L En- AN.
AS Miriam finished, Rennison
dropped his still smoking cigar into
the ash tray on the table.
rAnd SO you believe that Won and
"Se ano breathe only at the mercy
OF Seafalcon, eh?" he murmured
You must see that il is So: ,bs
actress answered, dejectedly.
From one of his pockets Rennison
drew out pipe and pouch.
..,d WY no; Miss Warburton." he
into the bowl of the pipe. Really. I
DO not see 1t that way at ALL"
she glanced at him sharply-anx-
lousy. eagerly, doubtfully.
YOU do see a way out of 1t. for
Sourself?" she asked, THAT there is
none for me, / know"
Rennison frowned.
The situation which confronts US
IS both perilous and difficult but I
see no reason to doubt that we will
move through it successfully" he
said. THE task which you, with such
1nasterful cleverness, have set for
both Of us is we'll begun. Dead or
alive, Seafalcon must be taken by the
United States government within the
next twenty-four hours. Inasmuch as
you have been able to meet me here
and communicate to me so fully the
which you have passed plainly indi-
Gates that fortune is favoring US. But
it is essential that we make no mis-
step:
chief of the brotherhood believes
that Iseither have the sheets in my
possession or may be able to get
them within the period he designated.
You have encouraged him to believe
that your influence over me is such
papers to you. He has made it clear
he suspects that, prior 70 leaving
Washington tonight, ] either con-
cealed them or left them with some
suspicious is incorrect. I left the pa
pers in Washington, Of course, Natur-
ally. you will be allowed sufficient
time to enable me to recover posses
yes" replied the actress. "Kerfoot
has explained, however. that they
must be in his hands within twenty
four hours"
TO prevent me from returning to
Washington today?"
mo. l will be required. though. TO
keep him informed of your movA
ments and to tell him who it is You
go to Washington to see. From the
a1noment you leave me, you will be
under constant surveillance. Should
you do or say anything in the next
twenty-four hours that would indl-
cate that I am deceiving Kerfoot,
you will be permitted to return to
Washington with me?"
mo. When you leave this hotel l
must go from here with kerfoot.
What disposition they will make OF
me until such time as l am to meet
you again do not know"
Their plan, then, is to hold you as
A. hostage, not permitting me to see
you again until 1 present the papers
@hfch they reUuire?"
"That is the understanding"
Rennison puffed ref1ectively at his
IT see." he muttered.
For several minutes both were
Eiient Rennison was the first to
"You have no suggestion to make.
Miss warburton?" he asked, with
None" Miriam answered, as, still
Sitting beside the table, she ner-
Fously twisted her gloves.
Rennison, rising, stretched his arms
Well, both of us have had a rather
strenuous day and night Of it, Miss
Warburton," he said. Then. after
slancing at his watch. he added: "1t
is nearly O'Clock. and if you do not
get some sleep soon you will sue
cumb to the strain to which you are are
being subjected. Have you eaten any
thing since you had dinner with Stor-
row yesterday"
Yes. Kerfoot insisted that should
have some sort of breakfast before 1
left the bungalow: am not hungry
but-oh, 30 dred!"
RennIson, slowly pacing to and fro.
abstraotedly stroked the crystal OF
his watch with his thumb.
you must rest" he said.
but whereT
N"Here-for a couple of hours, at
least."\
'.But as soon as you go I must re-
5oin Kerfoot.'
II will remain here until 8 o'clock.
BY that time
"Well?" Miriam queried anxiously, as
he stopped.
Much may be accomplished in that
time" said Rennison. while you sleep,
/ will watch-and wait
Would it not be better for you to
go right back to Washington and get
>into personal touch with those who
are to aid you?" asked, the actress.
'That would leave you at the mercy
pf our enemies" the Army man replied.
s'No, Miss Warburton. there is 4 better
way. Their desperate attempt to sst
those papers Is leading Seafalcon and