The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1923-06-15

You are impossible" he muttered
Impossible Already It may be toe
late. They say Peel Edgerton can
smell a criminal Perhaps even now
his suspicious are aroused. He
| guesses-"
Mrs. yandemeyer eyed him scorn-
/ fully.
Treasure yourself, my dear Boris,
He suspects nothing. You seem TO
forget that I am commonly accounted
beautiful woman. assure you
that is all that interests Peel Edger-
| ton.
Besides, he is extremely rich.
am not one who despises money. The
'sinews of war you know, Boris!"
'Money-money That is always
the danger with you, Rita. l believe
you would sell your soul for money.
1 believe" He paused. then in a low,
sinister voice he said slowly: Some
times l believe you would sell-usF"
Mrs. yandemeyer smiled and
shrugged her shoulders.
''The price, at any rate, would have
to be enormous" she said lightly. 1T
would be beyond the power of anyone
but millionaire to pay"
"Ahl" said the Russian. "You see.
l was right"
my dear Boris, can you not take
a joker
'Was 1t joker"
II OF At rrro r~rAI
Boris. Touch the bell. We will have
some drinks"
Tuppence beat hasty retreat. She
paused moment to survey herself
In Mrs. Vandemeyer's long glass, and
be sure that nothing was amiss with
her appearance. Then she answered
the bell demurely.
The conversation that she had over
heard. although interesting in that 1t
proved beyond doubt the completely
Of both Rita and Boris threw very
little light on the present preoccupa-
lions. The name of Jane Finn had
not even been mentioned.
The following morning few brief
words with Albert informed her that
nothing was waiting for her at the
stationers. 1t seemed incredible that
Tommy. II all was well with him,
should not send any word to her.. A
cold hand seemed to close round her
heart Supposing She
choked her fears down bravely. 1t
was no good worrying. But she leapt
at a chance offered her by Mrs. Van
demeyer.
"What day do you usually go out,
PrudenceT
fridays my usual day, ma'am."
"And today is Friday But l sup
pose you hardly wish to go out today.
as you only came yesterday"
II was thinking of asking you II I
might, ma'am."
1T makes no difference to me, as
l shall not be dining at home"
Tuppence felt a sensation of relief |
once she was out of the others pres
ence. Once again she admitted to |
herself that she was afraid, horribly |
Of the beautiful woman with
the cruel eyes.
In the midst of a final desultory |
polishing of her silver, Tuppence was
disturbed by the ringing of the front |
door bell, and went to answer 1t. This
time the visitor was neither Whiting |
ton nor Boris, but man of striking
appearance.
Just a shade over average height, |
he nevertheless conveyed the impress
sion of a big man. His face, clean
'haven and exquisitely mobile, was
with an expression of power
md force far beyond the ordinary.
Magnetism seemed to radiate from
lin.
Tuppence was undecided for the
moment whether to put him down as
IN actor or lawyer, but her doubts
we're soon solved as he gave her his
lame: Sir James Peel Edgerton.
Tuppence went back to her pantry
The great man had inn
'ressed her. She understood Boris
citation. Peel Edgerton would not
e an easy man to deceive.
In about a quarter of an hour the
ell rang, and Tuppence repaired to
he hall to show the visitor out. He
ad given her piercing glance before.
low, as she handed him his hat and
tick, she was conscious of his eyes
aking her through. AS she opened
he door and stood aside to let him
ass out, he stopped in the doorway.
mot been doing this long, ehY'
Tuppence raised her eyes, aston
she'd. She read in his glance kindli-
ess. and something else more difficult
} fathom.
He nodded as though she had an
vered.
"v. A. ID. and hard up. suppose7 /
God place here?"
VERY good, thank you, sir"
"Ah, but there are plenty of good ,
aces nowadays. And a change does
> harm sometimes"
"Do you mean" began Tuppence.
But Sir James was already on the
pmost stair. He looked back with
s kindly, shrewd glance.
"Just hint he said. That's ALL"
Tuppence went back to the pantry
ore thoughtful than ever a