Evening star., 1923-02-03
CHAPTER XIV.
A PAWN AND THE GAME.

A PAWN AND THE GAME.
II really am charmed to meet you.
Capt. Rennison." Miss Warburton said
in a soft. musical voice. Though, as
you see, was not prepared to receive
a visitor. you are none the less well
come. have known, of course, that
you and Hayden have been intimate
come to see me before your de-
parture. Please sit down-here by
the table. Hayden shall sit over
there-as q punishment for not in
forming me that you were coming, IN
order that l might have been pre-
pared to receive you"
Approaching Rennison. the young
woman reached for his hat and cane.
Let me relieve you of these" she
said.
But Rennison shook his head.
Don't trouble, Miss Warburton." ne
stay"
AS the actress drew back she flashed
In glance Of searching inquiry at
Storrow. She saw his face was grim
gaze. Sinking down on a gilt chair
she rested her elbows on the table
in the center of the room. On the
other side Of the table was q broad
easy chair. on which, in accordance
With the invitation s, Of his soI1os hostess 5.
stif1y on u large rocker to whicn
she had pointed while she was laugh
ingly rebuking him for bringing
visitor without warning. Addressing
Rennison, she said:
Il had understood you were going
to leave Washington this afternoon
and that Hayden was going to see
| you off,"
That was my intention. But
about an hour before train time ]
A task was then set for me, and
may not be able to complete 1t be-
fore tomorrow
'It is a pleasant task. 7 hope"
"No. 1t is one that Is proving very
painful to me-one that may-that
| to others"
! A startled expression came to her
face. and she looked at him more In
| tently. Her hands were toying with
\ a bronze paper knife on the table
| against which she was leaning.
| Are there many involved?" she
| asked.
"TWo-a man and a woman"
"A woman" she exclaimed family
She raised her eyes to his for a mo-
added: What have they--this man
and woman-done that they should
be threatened with the loss of lib
| erty-or life?"
"They have plotted to rob our gov
| ernment OF q secret which would pro-
tect against Seafalcon'e submarines
all vessels of our merchant marine
which cross the Atlantic with Amer
| lean citisens--men. women and chill
dren-aboard OF them. On the other
secret, he would be able to destroy
| scores of American vessels without
showing himself on the surface oi
! the sea"
She did not glance at him now
Tho hand which had been drawing
the edges of the kimono together AZ
her throat was lowered and began
to finger the bronze paper knife The
kimono. falling open little, reveal ed
1.-The snowy whiteness of the bosom !,
| had concealed.
| The young woman was about tc
lspeak when from the entrance hall.
lway there came three faint strokes
iof a small bell. She listened, hesi'
,tated. then rose.
| Pardon me-" she said. II think the
telephone is ringing"
She quickly crossed the room and
disappeared in the hall.
"Storr row. Rennison said shortly
you'd better be getting to the Gull
! fords'."
storrow. breathing heavily, looked
iup quickly. There was a threaten
ling glare in his bloodshot eyes.
! Now he queried thiokly.
! "Yes-at once. ] have told you how
Ito proceed The game is movine
quickly The sound you just heart
| In the hall indicates that the mes
sage I sent Immediately after leavine G
your rooms has been received. Th'
Ikeenest secret agnts of the govern
ment are in action. From this mo
ment you will be under constant sur
yeillance. Do precisely what yo'
have been told to do. See to it tha
you make no mistake.
! The idler rose clumsny
| "You are going to stay-her M
demanded.
"For several minutes, at least