The Glenwood post., 1924-12-25

mentary faintness as he sat and
waited for the woman whom he had
come to visit. He began to hdget In
his place. He walked up and down
he was even meditating an attack
upon one Of the window fastenings
when he was aware of the sound Of
heavy footsteps outside. The door waa
opened. A woman entered and came
toward him with an inquiring ex.
preston upon her face.
1t seemed to Gerald that the ne.a
conner alone was needed to comple, 9
the sQualor of his surroundings. She
was big woman. coarsely built, and
with Indications of obesity She wore
dressing gown Of some red material.
trimmed with soiled white fur and
fastened round her waist with girdle.
Her hair was a bright yellow. abun-
7 dant but badly arranged. It lay in
loose coils upon the top of her head.
fastened with some flamboyant orna-
ment. Her features were not ILL
shaped. but were partly concealed
under thick coating Of powder. She
had eyes of peculiarly light blue
shade, large and saucer-like when she
first entered the room, but with a
habit Of narrowing at intervals. She
spoke In English. with a strong Ger
man accent.
"You wish to see me, sir! l am Elsa
Francks."
Gerald rose to his feet and bowed
Madame" he said, II have found
my way mere under the name of Har-
mon P. Cross | have told every one
that am an American. looking for an
opportunity to- invest money. That
story is not true. 1t Is my wish, If
you will allow me. to be perfectly can
did with you.
lou can sit down." she invited, re-
garding Gerald with suspicion not un-
mixed with favor II will hear what
you have to say"
She threw herself in n lump at the
far end of the sofa. and pointed to n
battered horsehair easy-chair.
Bring that to the side of me-" she
continued II do not hear very well
and 1t is some time since l listened to
English. Tell me what you want?'
II have further confession to
make" Gerald began "I am an Eng
lishman."
"There are Englishmen and English
men," she said indugently. Some are
different from others. You are not
like those whom our officers have had
to correct In the streets and cafes of
Berlin Now what Is your business.
please?"
1T is very difficult to state" Ger
aid admitted frankly, land | am only
emboldened to approach you because in
these difficult times. and in Russia es-
pecially. one needs money. II you will
do me service can find you gre,t
deal of money.
Gerald's methods had at any rate
succeeded In exciting the interest Of
the woman he had come to visit. Her
becarmined lips were parted: her pale
eyes were filled with the light Of GU
pidity.
"There Is not much we would not
do for money. nowadays. over here"
she declared. laughing hardly. "You
are very interesting man. Go on"
major Krossneys is a friend Of
yours" Gerald said.
"Ho, how the woman laughed $50
you dabble In politics. eh? Never
mind, Krossneys is my friend. What
of itY'
HE Is the governor of the fortress
here" Gerald went on. "He has II
great number Of prisoners under his
care"
Zone hundred and thirty-seven,"
Elsa Francks replied promptly. II
see some of them exercising when I
am at the fortress. What he keeps
them alive for. I cannot imagine. They
crawl about the yard like lice. What
about these prisoners7"
Gerald moved his chair little
nearer. The woman smiled at him
graciously.
"If one of them should escape" he
remarked significantly, there would be
great deal of money"
what do you call great deal Of
money!"
II do not bargain" Gerald replied.
II know very well that the escape Of
a prisoner Is serious thing. have
at my disposal the sum Of ten thou
sand pounds"
The woman started so that she nearly
rolled of the sofa. She sat suddenly
upright She was too stupefed for
emotion.
Then thousand pounds3" she almost
shrieked. why, 1t is two million
roublesl Ivan Krossneys would sell
you his whole batch of prisoners for
that, and throw the fortress In! Why,
II 1t rested with me-" she went on.
"you could have Krossneys as well. for
n quarter n that. Talk sense. please
There Is not an Englishman there OF
that am certain
"The prisoner whose liberty de-
sire to buy. Gerald confided. SIS a
Russian. do not know under what
name he passes. but his numbe: Is
twenty-nne."
Elsa Francks rose to her feet, opened
the door and shouted to her maid in