The L'Anse sentinel., 1923-09-21
The Secret Adversary

| ever, soon faded before the troubles
Of the present. And Of these. the most
immediate and pressing was that Of
hunger. Tommy had healthy and
vigorous appetite. He regretfully rec
| ognized the fact that he would not
make success Of hunger strike.
He prowled aimlessly about his
| prison. Once or twice he discarded
dignity, and pounded on the door. But
nobody answered the summons.
| Finally bright idea flashed across
his brain. Conrad was undoubtedly
| the tenant Of the house. The others,
| with the possible exception Of the
bearded German, merely used 1t as a
rendezvous. Therefore, why not walt
| In ambush for Conrad behind the door.
| and when he entered bring down .
smartly onto his head. One would.
| Of course, be careful not to hit too
hard. And then-and then, simply
walk out. II he met anyone on the
way down, WE'LL Tommy frightened
at the thought of an encounter with
his fists. Such an affair was infinitely
more In his line than the verbal en-
counter Of this afternoon. Intoxicated
| by his plan, Tommy gently unlocked
the picture Of the Devil and Faust,
| and settled himself In position. His
hopes were high. The plan seemed
to him simple but excellent.
Time went on, but Conrad did not
/ yfoh -
same In this prison room, but Tom
my's wrist-watch, which enjoyed a
certain degree Of accuracy, Informed
him that II was nine o'clock In the
evening. Tommy reflected gloomily
that IL supper did not arrive soon 1t
would be a question Of waiting for
breakfast. At ten o'clock hope de-
serted him, and he flung himself onto
the bed to seek consolation in sleep.
In FIVE minutes his woes were for
gotten.
The sound of the key turning In
the lock awoke him from his slum-
bers. Not belonging to the type of
hero who is famous for awaklng In
full possession Of his faculties, Tommy
merely bllnked at the ceiling and Won
dered vaguely where he was. Then
he remembered.
The door swung open. Too late,
Tommy remembered his scheme of
obliterattng the unprepossessing Con-
rad, A moment later he was glad that
he had, for 1t was not Conrad who
entered, but girl. She carried a
tray which she set down on the table
In the feeble light Of the gas burner
Tommy bllnked at her. He decided
at once that she was one Of the most
beautiful girls he had ever seen
There was a wild-rose quality about
her face Her eyes, set wide apart
were hazel, a golden hazel that again
recalled a memory Of sunbeams.
A dellrious thought shot through
Tommy's mind.
"Are you Jane FinnY' he asked
breathlessly.
The girl shook her head wonder
ingly.
"My name Is Annette. monsieur"
She spoke in soft, broken English.
"Oh" said Tommy, rather taken
aback. "FrancaiseT' he hazarded.
"Oui. monsieur. Monsieur parls
francaiseY
"Not for any length Of time" said
Tommy. whats that7 Breakfast r.
The girl nodded. Tommy dropped
Off the bed and came and inspected
the contents Of the tray. 1t consisted
Of loaf, some margarine, and a jug
Of coffee. ~
"The living is not equal to the Ritz"
he observed with a sigh. "But for
what we are at last about to receive
the Lord has made me truly thank
full. Amen"
He drew up a chair, and the gir1
turned away to the door.
"wait a Soc" cried Tommy. "There
are lots of things I want to ask you,
Annette. What are you doing In this
houseT
'T do the service, monsieur"
"T see," said Tommy. "fou know
what asked you just now. Have you
ever heard that manner"
IT have heard people speak Of Jane
Finn, I think"
"You don't know where she isT'
Annette shook her head.
"She's not In this house, for In
stanceT
"Oh, no. monsieur. must 60 now
they will be waiting for me-"
She hurried out. The key turned IN
the lock.
II wonder who they are" unused
Tommy, as he continued to make In
roads on the loaf. "with a bit OF
luck, that girl might help me to gel
out of here. She doesn't look like one
Of the gang"
At one o'clock Annette reappeared
with another tray, but this time Con
rad accompanied her.
CTo BE CoNTINUED)