The Daily Alaska empire., 1932-07-16
CHAPTER 27. SECRET MARRIAGE
Ashwood rose abruptly.


 Ashwood rose abruptly.
 Unless I am too optimistic" he chuckled, another guest is ar irving, one who will be glad to give spiritual comfort to those who desire it."
 He looked point blank at Lucci, who cursed him.
 Ten minutes later, the affable host presented the Rev. Dr. Lley- ellin Titherington to his guests The minister was a short, thin man with a bass voice which, be- ing out of proportion to his stat ure, startled those who heard it for the first time
 Ashwood regarded him with ill., restrained delight. It was evident that Dr. Titherington had read the fulsome accounts of the spec tacular kidnapings and recognized the victims as they were intro duced. By the time the smiling cripple presented "One-Shot Luc- ci, Flower of Chicago Gangdom, :" the minister trembled, naturally.
 And now" suggested Ashwood suavely, T must insist that you rest. Your journey has no doubt been fatiguing. Alfred, show Dr. Titherington to his room"
 The minister turned and follow ed the steward.
 Sort of too bad" ventured the detective mildly. ito make sport of the little feller like that I'm going in to see if can make him feel a little easier in his mind He's probably all upset"
 Ashwood bowed sardonically.
 Peace be with you, brother" he pronounced blandly, the drawn down gravity of his mouth belied by the scoffing twinkle in his eyes.
 Stevens turned abruptly and left the room. Walking through the long hall of the guests wing, he knocked at the door which he guessed would be the ministers. There was no answer, so he en- tered without invitation. Dr. Tith- erington was seated on straight- backed chair, anxiously looking out of the window into the fast dark ening twilight. His face was pale. his eyes large and round, but he was in full control of his emo tions.
 Well, Reverend, how goes it?" Stevens seated himself on the edge of the bed and studied the other for a moment before preaching his subject. See here, Reverend, you may have forgotten who I am, amongst all of the introductions of few minutes ago. I'm Ste vens, an operative of the United States Treasury Department.
 The little man looked at him duly.
 What are you doing in this den of thieves, then?' he inquired
 Trying to get away and put the leader of the crooks in prison There hasn't been break I could take advantage of yet, so I've had to bide my time" He stopped to marshall his thoughts. Then abruptly, You came to marry Ashwood to Miss Wentworth, did mt you?"
 Dr. Titherington's long fingers wound and unwound the long black ribbon which hung from his nose glasses.
 "Yes," he replied at length, But I am not sure that I shall con- duct the ceremony, now"
 T know you won't"
 The minister stared curiously al the detective. He was gradually emerging from the fog of depres' sion which had engulfed him.
 What do you mean by that?' he demanded.
 Just that. The cripple is going to abduct that girl against he will. In a moment of whole hearted generosity, he offered t' marry her, the way feller tosse bone to a dog But whether vol marry them or not, he's going t take her away unless we can fint some other way to stop it."
 Perhaps, then" decided tn , other, ''it would be better to mar ry them"
 Ut would, if the whole affai