The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-09-21

If he were trying this case"
Waterman was increasingly uncom
Portable. 1t was no part of his plan
that Mr.. Colby should be dragged into
this business.
'Tve been wondering" the girl went
on, ''if | shouldn't make an effort of
some kind to go into the truth of this
girls story without her knowledge.
Perhaps should have cross-examined
her last night In detail. wish now
that had But was so startled and
so shocked that didn't do it, and It
seemed impossible that any girl would
60 to another with such tale unless
it were the truth. 1t seems so now"
81 know, | know" said Waterman
soothingly.
"It seems SO horrible not to give
Jim a chance to explain. | can't do
that, but l might perhaps start some
inquiry of my own"
Every WE'LL" he said, IF you cannot
let 1t go as 1t is. why not let me take
it up for your"
"What do you mean?"
'WeIl." he said, there are such
things as private detectives"
81 was thinking of that"
"Very well. Tomorrow morning ri
have them in"
"How can you do that if don't tell
you the stOry?"
you need not tell me the story at
all All | need to know is what
know already-that ii is tale of
scandalous intrigue between Jim and
some as yet unnamed person-by the
way, presume it to be woman?"
"Yes."
SWELL" went on Waterman, "if
there's anything like that in Stanley's
immediate past, couple Of expert de-
tectives would dig it up quick enough"
perhaps SO, if Jim were to be right
here in New York; but you forget he
is going away at once"
Doris intelligence was one of the
things for which Waterman had al
ways admired her. Now be cursed IL
to himself, but he went on quickly.
THAT'S true, Jim's going away, but
the woman, take it, Is still here
unless she's going with him?"
"NO," said Doris, she's not going
with him. But with her in New York
and Jim in India, | don't believe your
private detectives would have much of
chance"
Maybe not, but that's the best that
we can do, and we can't do that un-
less you're willing to give me the WON
ans name"
Doris reflected. She had given her
word of honor not to repeat the story
that Nina had told her. Would she or
would she not be breaking her word
if she disclosed the identity of her in.
formant. She thought it questionable,
but her anxiety to learn the truth over
ruled her scruples.
81 think" she decided, that I'll tell
you her name. After all, only prom
ised not to repeat the story that she
told me-"
"Good," said Waterman, that makes
it simpler"
"Her name is Nina Morgan"
"Good Heavens!" cried Waterman,
Nina Mo"ganl Why, she's my secre-
tary."
Doris turned her startled eyes on
Waterman. "Oh." she gasped. "She
didn't tell me that!"
e"Yes. Why it's the most amazing
thing ever heard. Nina Morganl To
think that quiet little thing has been
in and out of my Office every day for
over a year and | never guessed. Elk.
traOrdinary. Well, ii only shows you
never can tell. Now just put this all
out of your head. Leave it to me- If
there's anything in this story, these
men that | shall see tomorrow will
dig ii up soon enough, and if. as we
hope, there's nothing in it, they'll find
that out, too"
They walked in silence for a block
or two. They were thinking of the
same thing. but their thoughts were
scarcely harmonious, and when Doris
broke the silence, she added one more
shock to the many which Waterman
had supported during their brief stroll.
81 wonder" she said abruptly, "if it
would do any good for me to see that
girl again?"
he gave her startled look.
Heavens, what an idea !" he man
aged to calculate.
81 suppose you could find out where
she lives for me?"
"Why-er-why-er perhaps
could" he said.
He spoke with great deliberation.
He needed the time to think. But"
he went on. as soon as he had de-
veloped defense to this new peril.
Il must say | think you would be
most unwise to go to her. This girl
told you this story. 1t seemed inn
possible to you that she was lying.
Now, assuming that she has told the
truth. If you begin such an obvious in
vestigation as this, the first thing. you
know Jim would discover that she had
given him away. If he found that
out, he would round on her. of course
She would round on you, and think
that you would not be likely to enjoy
that interview"
faint flush mounted quickly in her
| cheeks.
He saw it and went on hastily. "Oh,
know. you have kept your word.
| You haven't told me the story. You
promised you wouldn't and you haven't.
but It would be difficult to convince
| Nina Morgan of that fact"
"Oh DEAR" said Doris. "Pm afraid !
shouldn't have told you her name"
"Now, for Heavens sake" insisted
Waterman warmly. you mustn't dis.
tress yourself like this. You really
mustn't You've put the matter In my