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SYNOPSIS.
At the expense of a soiled hat Robert
Orme saves from arrest a girl In a black
touring car who has caused a traffic jam
on State street. He buys a new hat and
Is given In change a five dollar bill with:
’‘Remember the person you pay this to,”
written on it. A second time he helps the
lady In the black car, and learns that in
Tom and Bessie Wallingham they have
mutual friends, but gains no further hint
of her identity. He discovers another In
scription on the marked bill, which, In a
futile attempt to decipher It. he copies
and places the copy in a drawer in his
apartment. Senor Poritol, South Ameri
can. calls, and claims the marked bill.
Orme refuses, and a fight ensues in
which Poritol Is overcome. He calls in
Senor Alcatrante, minister from his coun
try, to vouch for him. Orme still refuses
to give up the bill. Orme goes for a walk
and sees two Japs attack Alcatrante. He
rescues him. Returning to his rooms
Orme Is attacked by two Japs who ef
fect a forcible exchange of the marked
bill for another. Orme finds the girl of
the black car waiting for him. She also
wants the bill. Orme tells his story. She
recognizes one of the Japs as her father’s
butler, Maku. The second Inscription on
the bill is the key to the hiding place of
Important papers stolen from her father.
Both Japs and South Americans want the
papers. Orme and the "Girl” start out in
the black car in quest of the papers. In
the university grounds in Evanston the
hiding place is located. Maku and an
other Jap are there. Orme fells Maku
end the other Jap escapes. Orme finds in
Maku’s pocket a folded slip of paper. He
takes the girl, whose name Is still un
known to him, to the home of a friend In
(Evanston. Returning to the university
grounds Orme gets in conversation with a
guard at the life-saving station. They
hear a motor boat in trouble in the dark
pess on the lake. They find the crippled
[boat. In It are the Jap with the papers
land "Girl.” She jumps into Orme's boat,
hut the Jap eludes pursuit. Orme finds
on the paper he took from Maku the
address, “341 N. Parker street.” He
Igoes there and finds that Arima, teach
er of jiu-jitsu Is on the third floor. He
calls on Alia, clairvoyant, on the fourth
floor, descends by the fire-escape and
Conceals himself under a table In Ar
ima's room. Alcatrante. Poritol and the
Jap minister enter. Orme finds the pa-
Ipers In a drawer under the table and
substitutes mining prospectuses for
thesj. He learns that the papers are
Os International importance with a time
limit for signatures of that night mid
night. The substitution Is discovered.
The girl appears and leaves again aft
ler being told that the American has the
[papers. Orme attempts to get away,
Ils discovered and set upon by Arima
bnd Maku. He eludes them and Is hld
|den in a closet by the clairvoyant.
CHAPTER Xll.—Continued.
The silence that followed these prep
arations grew oppressive. The clients
were waiting for the right "current,”
and Madam Alia, Orme had no doubt,
was using the interval to free herself
from her bonds.
In a little while some one started
(the hymn,.“Over the River They Beck
lon to Me,” and the others took it up—
women’s voices, chiefly, struggling
through the melody in their trebles,
with the mumbled undertones of one
lor two men.
' A draught of cooler air struck
[Orme’s cheek; a hand found his shoul
ider; a voice whispered. Under cover
iof the singing Madam Alia had opened
[the panel. Her lips were close to his
ear. In the creepy tension of the
[waiting Orme had almost forgotten
that Madam Alia’s ghosts were a
[cheat, and the touch of her hand made
(him start, but her first words brought
[him to himself.
I “Hush!” she whispered. "You’ll get
fyour chance in a minute. Put on a
pair of black felt slippers. Here”—she
groped along the floor, and gave him
|the slippers. They were large, and
went easily over his shoes.
"Now the black robe, just behind
you.”
He took it from its peg, and slipped
Into it.
"Cover your head and face with the
hood. 1
He did as directed, finding the eye
holes with his fingers.
! “Hide your hands in the sleeves.
Now, listen. I’m going to keep them
busy looking at the curtains. When
you hear a gong ring tnree times, come
through the panel, and go between the
purtaln and the wall-hanging, on the
hide toward the window. The gas is
flown to a pin-point. Those folks think
they can see ald more than they do.
[But they won’t see you, unless you
show some white. Anyhow they’ll be
[watching the cabinet. Keep outside
the circle of chairs, and work your
iway to the door of the next room.
There are hangings there; go through
them. You’ll find light enough in the
next room to get to the door in the
pall. First stuff the robe under the
sofa. You’ll find your hat under there,
^ou left it here when you came, and I
tucked It away. You’d better wear the
clippers down to the street. Never
tnlnd about returning them—unless you
Bare to come. Now, be careful.”
“The Japanese —where are they?”
"At the other side of the circle.
Don’t worry about them. They’re only
pids when it comes to my game. Now,
.■wait till I get the things I need.” She
heard faint rustlings as she gathered
her paraphernalia. Soon she was back
at the panel. The last stanza of the
hymn was drawing to a close. “Be
aure you follow directions,” she whis
pered.
i He pressed her band grate-
“And —and you won’t forget me?”
With a sudden yearning that seemed
to be beyond her control, she leaned
her body against him. Her warm
breath was on his face; her arm found
its way around him and held him con
vulsively.
"Oh,” she whispered, “I can’t bear to
have you go. Don’t forget me —please
don’t forget me.”
"I shall never forget you, and what
you have done for me,” he answered
gravely.
“You will come back and see me—
sometime?”
“I will come back. And I should like
to bring a friend, who will have even
more cause to thank you than I have.”
“A friend?” A tinge of apprehension
colored the question: “A—a woman?”
“Yes.”
The soft curves of her body were
quickly withdrawn from him.
"Oh,” she whispered, “I don’t believe
I want to see her.”
For a moment she stood motionless.
Then she said:
“Are you sorry you kissed me?”
“No,” he answered, “I am not."
Her lips brushed his forehead, and
he was alone. Groping with one hand,
he assured himself that the panel re
mained open. All in black, he awaited
the signal.
And now strange manifestations be
gan in the room without. There were
rappings, some faint, some loud —
coming apparently from all quarters.
Invisible fingers swept gently across
the strings of a guitar. Then came the
soft clangor of a gong—once, twice,
three times.
Orme slipped through the panel, into
the cabinet. Keeping close to the wall,
he moved to the left and worked out
into the room. The rappings were now
louder than before —loud and continu
ous enough to cover any slight sound
he might made. A little gasp came
from the circle as he went out into the
room. At first he thought that he had
been seen. To his eyes, fresh from
complete darkness, the room seemed
moderately light; but the gas was lit
tle more than a tiny blue dot.
As he took a step forward he saw
why the circle had gasped. Through
the curtains of the cabinet came the
semblance of a tenuous wraith in long,
trailing robes of white. It was almost
formless, its outlines seeming to melt
into the gloom.
Advancing a little way into the cir
cle, it shrank back as though timorous,
then wavered. From the circle came a
woman’s voice—anxious, eager, strain
ing with heart-break —“Oh, my sister!”
The figure turned toward her, slowly
extended its arms, and glided back to
the curtains, where it stood as though
waiting.
The sobbing woman arose from her
chair and hastened toward the wraith.
“Agnes!” she whispered imploringly,
“Won’t you speak to me, Agnes?”
The ghostly figure shook its head.
"Are you happy, Agnes? Tell me.
Oh, don’t go until you have told me.”
The figure nodded mutely, and with
a final slow gesture, waved the woman
back to her seat.
Meantime Orme cast his eyes over
the circle. Dimly he saw faces, some
stolid, some agitated; and there, at the
farther end were the two Japanese, in
tent as children on these wonders.
Their sparkling eyes were directed to
the cabinet.
The apparition had disappeared be
tween the curtains. But now there was
a fresh gasp of wonder, as the figure
of a little child stepped out Into the
room. It did not go far from the cab
inet, and it alternately advanced and
retreated, turning this way and that,
as though looking for some one.
“It wants its mother!” exclaimed
one of the women in the circle. “Is
your mother here, little one?”
The child stared at the speaker, then
withdrew to the curtains.
“They will begin to talk afteY a
while,” explained the woman —“when
the control gets stronger. I always
feel so tender for these little lost
spirits that come back to hunt for their
loved ones.”
Orme p-oved swiftly around the cir
cle. He passed so close to the Japa
nese that he cvuld have touched them.
The felt slippers made his steps noise
less; the thick rug absorbed the shock
of his weight.
He passed through the hangings of
the doorway to the next room. There
he had no gaslight; the window
shades, however, were not drawn so
closely but that a little daylight en
tered. He removed the robe and
stuffed it under the old sofa at one
side. His hat, as Madam Alia had said,
was there, and he put it on and went
to the hall door. The circle had begun
to sing another hymn. Orme got into
the hall, shut the door silently, and
hurried down the stairs, the long-
drawn strains of the song following
him and dying away as he neared the
street entrance. In the lower hall he
removed the felt slippers and tossed
them into a corner.
He was amazed at the loudness of
the street noises, and the glare of the
sunlight as he stepped to the sidewalk.
He stood there blinking for a moment,
until his eyes became accustomed to
the light. The foot-procession of the
city streamed by him.
Suddenly a man turned in toward
the doorway, and, with a startled ex
clamation, stopped short. Orme found
himself looking into the gleaming eyes
of Alcatrante.
CHAPTER XIII.
An Old Man of the Sea.
“Oh, Mr. Orme, you are the man I
most wished to see.” The minister’s
voice carried a note of unrestrained
eagerness. He extended his hand.
Orme accepted the salutation, mus
tering the appearance of a casual meet
ing; he must keep Alcatrante out of
the building.
“I was sorry that I could not be at
your apartment this morning,” contin
ued Alcatrante, “and I hope you did
not wait too long.”
“Oh, no,” replied Orme. "I waited
for a little while, but concluded that
something had called you away. Has
Senor Poritol recovered from his anxi
ety?”
“Why, no,” said Alcatrante. “But the
course of events has changed.” He
linked his arm in Orme’s and walked
along with him toward the center of
the city. "You see,” he went on, “my
young friend Poritol overestimated the
importance of that marked bill. It did
give the clue to the hiding place of
certain papers which were of great
value to him. What he failed to realize
was that the papers could be of little
importance to others. And yet, so per
turbed is he that he has asked me to
offer a considerable reward for the re
covery of these papers.”
“Indeed?”
“Yes.” Alcatrante sent a slanting
glance at Orme. “The suiii is ridicu
lously large, but he insists on offering
one thousand dollars.”
“Quite a sum,” said Orme calmly.
He was interested in the minister’s in
directions.
“As for the events of last night”—
continued Alcatrante, stopping short,
with a significant glance.
“Well?” said Orme indifferently.
f=3 GA
ft &
BL
/T A ' 1
A km A
“They May Have Stolen the Clue From You.”
"I trust that you did not think me
absurd for sending that detective to
you. That I did so was a result of
poor Poritol’s frantic insistence.”
“Indeed?”
“My young friend was so afraid that
you would be robbed.”
“I was robbed,” laughed Orme, try
ing to make light of the situation.
“Why, how was that?” Alcatrante’s
surprise was well assumed.
“Oh, after I said good-night to you,
the two Japanese caught me while I
was going through the tunnel to the
courtyard.”
“My dear Mr. CTrme!”
“They are clever, those Japanese.”
“And afterward you went out
again?”
“What makes you think that?”
Alcatrante bit his lip. “Why,” he
stammered, “the detective reported
that you were absent when he ar
rived.”
“And therefore,” remarked Orme
coolly, “he got access to my apartment (
and, after rummaging through my
things, went sound asleep in my bed- ,
room, where I found him snoring when
I returned." ;
The minister swung his cane vicious- (
ly at a bit of paper that lay on me side- '
walk.
“He was not a clever detective,” con
tinued Orme. "And as for Poritol,
don’t you think he had better offer his '
reward to the Japanese?”
“No,” replied Alcatrante. “They 1
may have stolen the clue from you, but I
I have reason to think that the papers!'
wei'e already gone when they went to
look for them. Poritol is really very
anxious.”
“Doubtless,” added Orme.
"Perhaps,” added Alcatrante, after a
short wait, “he might even go as high
as two thousand.”
“Indeed? Then there will surely be
many answers to his advertisement.”
“Oh, he will not advertise.” Alca
trante laughed. “Already ne knows
where the papers are. While waiting
for the clue of the bill, he discovered
what others had already availed them
selves of it."
“That is curious." Orme smiled.
“How did he discover that?”
“In a roundabout way. I won’t take
time for the story.”
They walked along in silence for a
little distance. Orme was figuring on
an escape, for the minister’s clutch on
his arm was like that of a drowning
man's. Finally he sought the simplest
means of getting away. “I have an en
gagement," he said. “I shall have to
leave you, here. Thank you for walk
ing with me thus far.” He disengaged
his arm.
“My dear Mr. Orme,” said Alca
trante, “why should we beat around
the bush?”
"Why, indeed?” said Orme.
"Poritol knows that his papers are
in your possession. Speaking for him,
I offer you five thousand.”
“Why do you drag Poritol into this?”
said Orme. “You know that he has
merely been your agent from the start
You think he has bungled, but I tell
you, you are the one who bungled, for
you picked him to do the work. He
had bad luck hiring a burglar for you.
He lost his head when he ran away
with another person’s motor car and
had to hand the marked bill to a coun
try justice. He showed bad judgment
when he tried to fool me with a fancy
lie. But you are the real bungler,
Senor Alcatrante. Any capable dip
lomat could tell you that.”
Alcatrante’s yellow face grew white
about the lips. His eyes flashed bale
fully.
“Curse you!” he exclaimed. “You
know more than is good for you. Take
care!”
Orme laughed in disgust. “Oh, drop
this melodrama. I am not afraid of
cheap Machiaevallis. In this country
there are some crimes that are not
excused by high office.”
The minister’s teeth showed. “You
shall see, my young friend.”
"Doubtless. But let me tell you one
thing; if anything happens to me, my
friends will know where to look for
the criminal.”
Alcatrante snarled. “Don’t be too
sure —”
“If necessary,” continued Orme, “a
word to certain persons as to the com
mission for building warships—-five
hundred thousand, is it not? by the
new arrangement —in gold—"
Alcatrante, in ungovernable rage,
raised his light cane and struck. Orme
fended the blow with his arm, then
wrenched the cane away and threw
it into the street. A swarm of pass
ers-by gathered about them so quickly
that in a moment they were the cen
ter of a circle.
“You dunce,” said Orme. “Do you
want the police?”
"No,” muttered Alcatrante, control
ling himself with a great effort. “You
are right.” He darted into the crowd
at one side, and Orme, quick to take
the hint, disappeared In the opposite
direction, crossing the street and jump
ing into an empty cab, which had
drawn up in anticipation of a fight.
“To the Rookery,” he ordered,
naming the first office building that
came into his head.
“Sure,” said the driver, and away
they rattled.
A glance back showed Orme that
the crowd was dispersing.
At a distance was Alcatrante. He
had seen Orme’s escape, and was look
ing about vainly for another cab. But
cabs are not numerous on North,
Parker street, and Orme, ao tar as he
could tell, was not followed.
When his cab drew up at the busy
entrance on La Salle street, he found
his way to the nearest public tele
phone. The hour was close to five,
and he must discover quickly where
he could find the girl. He called up
the Pere Marquette. “This is Mr.
Orme," he explained to the clerk.
“Have there been any calls or mes
sages for me?”
"Yes, sir, Mr. and Mrs. Wallingham
called up at 12:30 to know if you were
going to Arradale with them.”
The golfing engagement! Orme had
not even thought of it since the eve
ning before.
“Anything else?”
“Yes, sir. A Japanese came about
one o'clock. He left no name.”
"The same man who came last eve
ning?”
"No, sir, an older man.”
The Japanese minister had doubtless
gone straight from Arima's apartment
to the Pere Marquette. “Anything
else?” asked Orme.
“There was a phone call for you
about 11 o'clock. The party left no
name."
“A woman’s voice?”
“Yes, sir. Stea said: ’Tell Mr.
Orme that I shall not be able to call
him up at noon, but will try to do so
as near two o’clock as possible.’ ”
“Did she call up again at two?”
“No, sir. There’s no record of it.”
Orme understood. In the interval
after her attempt to reach him she
had learned at Arima’s of his seem
ing treachery. "Very well,” he said
to the clerk, and hung up the re
ceiver.
What shall he do now? The girl
had given him up. He did not know
her name or where to find her, and yet
find her he must and that within the
next few hours. The unquestionably
great importance of the papers in his
pocket had begun to weigh on him
heavily. He was tempted to take them
out, there in the telephone booth, and
examine them for a clue. The cir
cumstances justified him.
But —he had promised the girl!
Stronger than his curiosity, stronger
almost than his wish to deliver the pa
pers, was his desire to keep that prom
ise. It may have been foolish, quixotic;
but he resolved to continue as he had
begun. “At ten o’clock,” he said to
himself, “if I have not found her, I
will look at the papers or go to the
police—do whatever is necessary.” He
did not like to break promises or miss
engagements.
There was his engagement with the
Wallinghams. It had absolutely gone
from his mind. Bessie would forgive
him, of course. She was a sensible
little woman, and she would know that
his failure to appear was due to some
thing unavoidable and important, but
Orme's conscience bothered him a lit
tle because he had not, before setting
out that morning, telephoned to her
that he might be detained.
Bessie Wallingham! She knew the
girl! Why had he not thought of that
before?
He got the Wallinghams’ number.
Were they at home? No, they had
gone to Arradale and would probably
remain until the last evening train.
He rang off.
It remained to try Arradale. After
some delay, he got the club house.
Mrs. Wallingham? Yes. she had just
come in. Would Mr. Orme hold the
wire?
Mr. Orme certainly would, and pres
ently he was rewarded for the delay
by hearing Bessie’s brisk little voice.
"Hello?”
“Who?”
“Bob?”
"Well, you ought to be ashamed of
yourself; we waited over and took the
next train.”
“Oh, yes, I know all about these very
busy people.”
“Nonsense! I was fooling, of course.
But we were sorry you didn't come.”
“What?”
"That girl? Why. what’s the mat
ter with you. Robert Orme?”
"Business importance? That won't
do. Rob. You’ll have to ’fess up."
"Do I know such a girl? Are you
serious?”
“Why, Bob, I can think of several.
Shall I name them?”
“Not give their names! What on ;
earth is the matter with you?”
“Oh, part of the business, is it? I
Well, let me see. Tall and beautiful,
you say. Dark eyes and hair. A black
touring car. Hum! I know three girls
to whom the description applies. It
might be —but you don’t wish me to I
mention the name. Well, you'll have ;
to tfiink of something more distinct-1
Ive.”
Orme thought in vain. The image
of the girl was ever !n his mind, but I
describe her he could not. At last he
said: "The girl I mean lives in one I
of the suburbs. She has a father who
has lately undergone a slight opera
tion. He is, I think, a man who is In
volved in negotiations with other coun
tries.”
“Oh! Where did you meet her?
Why, Bob, how interesting! I never
thought of her. but she’s one of my i
dearest friends.”
“Now, listen, Bessie. It is absolute
ly necessary that I should reach her
father’s house before midnight. You
must help me.”
He heard her laugh. "Help you?
Os course I will.”
"Where does she live?”
“Not far from Arradale. Bob, you
come right out here. I will see to the
rest. It certainly is the funniest co
incidence."
"Til catch the first train.”
"There's one at six-Wor men who
come out. to dine.”
"All right.. Expect me. Goodby.”
Orme looked at his watch. He had
an hour and a half—which meant that
time must be killed. It would be un
wise to return to the Pere Marquette,
for the South Americans and the Jan-
anese might both be on watch for hltn
there. But he did not care to wander
about the streets, with the chance of
coming face to face with some of his
enemies. It was obvious that swift
and elaborate machinery would be
set in motion to catch him. Os course,
there were many places where he could
conceal himself for an hour, but—
Tom Wallingham's office! Why had
he not thought of that before? Tom
was at Arradale with Bessie, but the
clerks would let Orme stay in the re
ception room until it was time to start
for his train. Indeed, Orme remem
bered that Bixby, the head clerk, had
been at the wedding of Tom and Bes
sie—had in fact taken charge of the
arrangements at the church.
Moreover, Tom’s office was in this
very building—the Rookery. Doubt
less it was for this reason that the
Rookery had popped into his head
when he gave directions to the cab
driver on North Parker street.
Hurrying to the elevators, Orme was
about to enter the nearest one, when
suddenly a hand seized his elbow and
pulled him to one side. He turned
quickly and saw—Alcatrante.
The minister was breathing rapid
ly. It was plain that he had made
a quick pursuit, but though his chest
heaved and his mouth was partly open,
his eyes were curiously steady. “One
minute, Mr. Orme,” he said, forcing his
lips to a smile. “I had hard work to
follow you. There was no other cab,
but a small boy told me that you di
rected your driver to the Rookery.
Therefore I got on a street car and
. rode till I found a cab.” He said all
this in the most casual tone, retaining
his hold on Orme’s elbow as though:
his attitude was familiar and friendly.
Perhaps he was thus detailing his
own adventures merely to gain time;
or perhaps he was endeavoring to puz
zle Orme.
But Orme was simply annoyed. He
knew how dangerous Alcatrante could
j be. “I am tired of being followed.
Senor," he said, disgustedly, freeing;
his elbow.
Alcatrante continued to smile. “That
; is part of the game,” he said.
‘"I hen you will find the game seri
ous." Orme shut his lips together
and glanced about for a policeman.
Alcatrante again grasped his elbow.
"Do you want publicity?” he asked.
“Your principals do not. Publicity will
injure us all.”
Orme had been given enough light
[ to know that the South American’s
i words were true.
| "If it comes to publicity,” continued
[ Alcatrante with an ugly grin, “I will
have you arrested for stealing a cer
tain Important—document and offer
ing to sell it to me.”
"Rubbish!” laughed Orme. "That
would never work at all. Too many
persons understand my part in this
matter. And then—” as he noticed
the flash of triumph in Alcatrante’s
eyes—"l could not be arrested for
stealing a document which was not
in my possession.” It was too late;
Alcatrante had been able to verify his
strong suspicion that Orme had the
papers.
A wave of anger swept over Orme.
"Publicity or no publicity,” he said,
“unless this annoyance stops, I will
have you arrested.”
Alcatrante smiled. "That would not
pay, Mr. Orme. There would be coun
| ter-charges and you would be much,
delayed—perhaps even till after mid
night tonight. You Americans do not
; know how to play at diplomacy, Mr,
I Orme.”
Controlling himself, Orme hurried
quickly to the nearest elevator. He
timed his action; the starter was just
about to close the door as he hurried
in. But qzick though he was, Alca
' trante way cjpse behind him. The agile
. South American squeezed into the ele
[ vator by so close a margin that the
I door caught his coat.
“Here, what are you tryin’ to do?”
: shouted the starter.
Alcatrante, pressing in against
I Orme, did not reply.
The starter jerked the door open,
I and glared at Alcatrante. The steady
; and undisturbed eye of the minister
had its effect, and after a moment of
hesitation the"starter banged the door
shut and gave the signal and the cat
1 leaped upward.
Tom Wallingham's office was on thj
eighth floor. Though he knew that Al
catrante would cling to him, Orme
could think of nothing better to do
than to go straight to the office and
count on the assistance of Bixby, who
would certainly remember him. Ac
cordingly he called out “Eight.l” and,
ignoring Alcatrante, left the "Svator
and walked down the hall, the South
American at his elbow.
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
A Queer One.
Hayrix—Ole man Sparrowgrass air
a queer sort uv critter, ain’t he?
Oatcake —I dunno. What’s queer er
bout him?
Hayrix—Why, ez often ez I’ve heerd
him discussin’ polertlcks deown t’ th’
grocery, I ain’t never yit beerd him
say what he’d do erbout straigtenin’
things out es he wnz president fer a
couple uv hours, by grass!
One of the Qualifications.
“I believe I have the only perfect
husband.”
“Dees he hook?”
“You didn't catch my remark; I was
speaking of my husband, not of our
cow.”
"It was your husband I had in
mind. If he refuses to hook you up
the back he is not perfect.”
Went Too Far.
Yeast —Do you think there Is a pen
alty for lying?
Crimsonbeak —Sure! I knew a fel
low who dislocated his shoulder while
stretching out his bands to show the
size of the fish he claimed he had
caught!—Yonkers Statesman.
