Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1925-03-05

which several solled coverings o. aaa
tatlon lace had been thrown. Th'
room itself was large and lofty. bal
scantily furnished. There was q hugs
undecorated stove IN one e0rn@r
which. Notwithstanding the heat Of ths
day, already exuded fumes II buralnS
coke. The polished door was innocent
OF any rug or carpet. and covered with
stains and fragments OF cigarettes and
cigars. There was a piano. Uttered
with seiled and torn copies Of mustc
In a distant corner, a small Crane
phone with black enamel mouthpiece.
Dilstered by the continual heat OF the
room The walls were hung with tina
faded remains Of some former attempt
at decoration. The windows were Gov
cred with sort OF wire netting. which
kept out alike light ana air. There
was everywhere an odoU OF stale to-
oacco smoke. mingled with q strange
smell OF cheap Incense or crude par
fume OF some sort. Gerald, exceedingly
sensitive to surroundings. felt a mo-
mentary falntness as be sat and
waited for the woman whom he had
come to visit He BEGIN to tdgef In
his place. He walked up and down.
He was even medltating an. attack
upon one Of the window fasteninga.
when he was aware Of the sound Of
heavy footsteps outside. The door was
opened. A woman entered and came
toward him with an inQuiring ex-
preston upon her face
II seemed to Gerald thar the new
conner alone was needed to complete
the squalor Of his surroundings. She
was big woman. coarsely built. and
with indications OF obesity. She wore
q dressing gOwn OF some red material.
trimmed with solled white fur and
fastened round her waist with Rlrdle,
Her hair was a bright yellow, album
dant but badly arranged. II lay In
loose coils upon the top OF her head.
fastened with some fiamboyant oFna-
ment. Her features were not M
shaped. but were partly concealed
under thick coating OF powder She
had eyes OF peculiarly light blue
shade, large and saucer-like when abe
first entered the room. but with 3
habit OF narrowing at Intervals. She
spoke In English. with a strong Ger
man accent.
you wish to see me. slri am Elss
Francks."
Gerald rose to his feet and bowed.
Madame" he said, II have found
my way ..ere under the name OF Har-
mon p Cross. I have told every one
that ! am an American. looking for an
TO invest money. That
story Is not true. It is my wish. IL
you VIII allow me. to be perfectly can
did with you.
"Aou can sit down." she invited. re-
gardlng Gerald with suspicion not I'M
mixed with favor. Il will hear what
you have to say"
She threw herself in {. lump at the
far end OF the sofa. and pointed to
battered horsehalr easy-chair. il
Bring that to the side OF me-" she
continued. II do not hear very well
and Il is some time since listened to
English. Tell me what you wantT"
u have further confession to
make" Gerald began. Il am an Eng
lIshman."
There are EngIlshmen and English
men," she said indulgently. Some are
different from others. You are not
Ike those whom our officers have had
o correct IN the streets and cafes OF {
Berlin. Now what is your business. 1
,lease7" (
1T ls very diflcult TO state" Ger {
I'D admitted frankly. "and I am only
mbOldened 10 approach you because in G
hese difficult times. and In Russia es- Il
'ecially. one needs money. II you viii d
10 me a service. l can find You a great a
eal OF money. a
Gerald's methods had at any rate a
ucceeded In exciting the interest of Ii
he woman he had come TO visit. Her e
lips we're parted her pale Il
yes were filled with the light OF Gu Z
Idity. :
There is not much we would not
o for money, nowadays over here"
re declared, laughing hardly. you e
re very Interesting man. Go on" n
Major KrOssneys Is a friend Of e.
Durs." Gerald said. 10
-Ho, no :" the woman laughed. $50 in
Oh dabble in politics. chi Never ca
ind. Krossneys Is my friend What sc
it7s -
HE Is the governor Of the fortress va
RE-" Gerald went on. HE has a dr.
eat number OF prisoners under his To-
re-"
zone hundred and thirty-seven." 10
lsa Francis replied promptly. Il dii
e some OF them exercising when ] in,
0 st the fortress. What he keeps n,
EN- alive for. cannot imagine. They
avn about the yard like lice. What tn.
out these prfsoneFsT pis
Gerald moved bis chair little ye
arer. The woman smiled at him
aciously.
II one Of them should escape he
marked significantly. .'there would be ~