The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-01-04

ct always thought you were on the
square, but you're asking nae to do
something you wouldn't do yourself.
And I've told you again that don't
know anything about that letter; I
never saw it before"
She tapped the edge Of the desk to
hide the trembling Of her fingers. The
tears shone suddenly in her blue
eyes.
Dan frowned. but the frown was
not for Rose. She had already be-
trayed herself; he was confident from
her manner that she knew. The
prompt denial OF any knowledge of
the fateful sheet Of paper for which
he had hoped all night had not been
forthcoming.
Her agitation distressed him; he
had never seen her like this; he
missed the little Alterations and the
droll retorts that had always amused
him. She was no longer the imper-
turbable and ready young woman
whose nuwearying sunniness and
amazing intuitions had so often
helped him through perplexities.
AS a matter OF your own honor,
Rose. you wouldn't tell me. But if
the honor Of some one else"
She shook her head slowly, and he
paused.
Rose. II some one you knew wen
some one who had been the kindest
OF friends-were in danger. and
needed your help to protect-that per
son-would You tell me?"
Their eyes met; she looked away,
and then, as she met his gaze again,
her lips parted and the color deepened
in her face.
You don't mean" she began.
IT mean that this is to help me pro
tect a dear friend Of yours and of
mine. shouldn't have told you this
If it hadn't been necessary. It's as
hard for me as it is for you, Rose.
There's a great deal at stake. limo
cetn people will suffer if I'm unable
to manage this with full knowledge of
all the facts. You think back, six
years ago last spring. and tell me
whether you have any knowledge, no
matter how indefinite, as to where
that letter was written"
You say" she began haltingly
there's a friend of mine that I could
help If I knew anything about your
letter? You'll have to tell me who
It is"
I'D rather not do that; I'd rather
not mention any names, not even to
YOU"
TT was like this, Mr.. Harwood."
said the girl Il knew him-pretty
weIl-you know the man mean. After
that Transportation Committee work
guess he thought he had TO keep his
hand on me. He's like that, you
know. If he thinks anybody knows
anything on him he watches them and
keep a tight grip on them. all right.
You know that about him?'
Dan nodded He saw how the web
of circumstance had enmashed him
from the beginning. All the incidents
Of that chance visit to Fraserville to
write the sketch Of Bassett for the
Courier lived in his memory. Some
thing had been said there about Madi-
son College; and his connection with
Fitch's Office had been mentioned, and
on the fears thus reused in Morton
Bassett, he, Daniel Harwood. had
reared a tottering superstructure Of
aims, hopes, ambitions, that threat
ened to overwhelm him! But now, as
the first shock passed, he saw all
Things clearly. He would save Sylvia
even though Bassett must be saved
first. II Thatcher could be silenced
in no other way. he might have the
senatorship--or Dan would go direct
to Bassett and demand that he with
draw from the contest. He was not
afraid of Morton Bassett now.
Il had gone to work for that con
struction company in the Boordman
where you found me. It was his idea
to move me into your office-I guess
you thought you picked me out; but
ne gave me a quiet tip to ask you
for the Job. Well, he'd been dropping
into the construction Office now and
then to see me-you know the boss
was never in town and 7 hadn't much
to do. He used to dictate letters
said he couldn't trust the public
stenogs in the hotels; and one day he
gave me that letter to copy He had
written It out in lead pencil before