It s not my secret.' he returned.
and I ought not to say any more. I
cun only assure you that M a le ta n d
Bradney are splendid fellows, both far
superior to me. Very high types. They
believe that what we Intend to do Is
the only right and logical thing. You
must let it go at th a t"
"And because there’s danger in it
you think I ’d better keep out o f it?”
"Exactly." he exclaimed, gratified at
this attitude of obedience.
"Then It Is dangerous." she cried.
Barnes saw he had made a damaging
admission.
She had trapped him.
“ Daddy, what makes you think I ’m
afraid of anything that's dangerous?’’
"Ob, Nlta,” he said reproachfully,
“ that's scarcely playing the game to
i
Tlie new« had been a blow,
! ..u [ i , Barnes flv e t
the ln,prM .
■ glon
, very ghrewd young
, , d .. Malet , , ld> ..,nd one Dot eas„
^/^lbanyJ-Z^rectory
ful o f weapons af short range, the
sawed-off shotgun. He remembered
Its load of buckshot “ I fear I must
remind you that we must insist on an
I deceived. You all know th at when
explanation from you, too. To allow
once we start. It w ill be almost im­ you the opportunity of escape would A lbany baking
405 West First
possible to keep one who is already a be most unwise." He raised his voice
B U T T H R -N U T B R E A D
a little, but he did not tuke his steady
little suspicious In Ignorance."
“ Yes.” said Bradney, “ I am afraid gaze from Barnes' face.
“ Miss Barnes," he said, "w ill you be A lbany Floral Co. Cut dower,
she cannot stay here."
4 * - snd plants. Floral art for every
so
kind as to come here at once?"
“ Her godmother lives In Philadel­
and all occasions.
1
phia.” said Baines. “ She can't refuse
Flower phone 458-f.
to take her In for a month or two. She
The girl's voice trembled as she an
said something uhout earning her liv ­ swcied. It seemed to them all there
ALBANY STATE BANK—We
ing. but I should prefer her to go to wus a trace of defiance In her tone.
-‘ » in v ite fyour business. Savings and
Philadelphia."
" I won’t be a minute. I t ’s uot very commercial aceouuts. Capital, surplus
“ I am afraid she would be a source comfortable up here.”
undivided profits, $100.000.
of danger i f she remained,” Peter
The shades were drawn again and
Milman agreed. "Also. It would never the lights switched on more fully. EU STBU RN ’S GROCERY
4th and Lyons Street
do to compromise her In an affair Neeland Barnes looked from one to
the other of the men whose faces had The place to buy good groceries at the
which might end disastrously."
rig h t price. On the corner, plenty of
C O P Y R IG H T ¡n
“ We've been too busy with theories," been in the shadow. It seemed In room
W.N.U
to park. Albany.
ro« UNITED STATES
SER.VICC
fl
said Fleming Bradney when the prob­ credible that they could suspect him
lem of Nlta had been settled. What of complicity In this eavesdropping.
P O R D SA Lps AND SERVICE
"Outside here,” he said, "In the dons luck, but I was the only girl In
we are after should be original dis­ It was plain enough what her errand x
Tires and accessories
world which calls itself society, Peter the business school that gent me there
wus.
associating of ideas.”
Repairs
Milmau has the name of being a who could write as well In French as
"Let me explain,” he began.
“I can’t get that very clearly," said
K ir k -P ollak M otor C o .
soured old grouch and u disgrace to In English. IVe had a great many
Peter Milman stopped him with a
Neeland Barnes. "As I see It. all we
his name. I ask you, as man to man, stockholders In Paris. I t »•«» rather
want from Raxon Is a cold million. gesture. "W a lt,” he commanded. "We tp o rtm iller F urniture Co., fnrni.
I f you’ve ever run across anyone more Jolly being his secretary. Sir John
Half of that goes to Milman and we shall hear you when your daughter A ture, rugs, linoleum, stoves ranges.
considerate? My God, Bradney, if you was one of those quiet, clever men,
comes.”
Funeral directors. 427-433 west First
spilt the rest.”
knew the sort of life I ’ve led since like Mr. Mllman, who deal In millions.
street, Albany, Oregon.
Barnes
sank
heavily
Into
a
seat.
He
“
Exactly,"
Bradney
returned.
“
That’s
that trouble at Saratoga trying to keep I may look like you, daddy, but I've
the very point. How are we to make felt that Bradney and Malet looked
my end up when my people hud
the business brains of my mother's
him give up a million? I don't know. upon him as a traitor.
EHNTEL WRECKING CO-
dropped me and my old pals cut me
people. Let me do your correspond
436 West 1st
You don't either. None of us knows.
Nlta was wearing a blue silk dress­ A
dead, you'd understand Just what this ence for you.”
ing
wrap
when
she
came
Into
the
Obviously
the
thing
Is
to
get
close
to
Used Parts for all cars
means. Pm going the lim it for Peter
"Later, I see we shall have to take
Japanese garden. H er bearing was
him, into the house for choice.”
Mllman. You've Just seen how he
you luto our confidence,” Mr. Mllman
'He doesn't know me," Mllman de­ confident and unafraid. She came O O L M A N & JACKSON
saved me from another humiliation. I
clared. "But I cannot be seen, be­ quickly to her father's side and put „
Grocery—Bakery
should have had to tell my girl her said, smiling. “ A t present we do not
You under­
E ve ryth in g in the line of eats
cause Loddon, who has told me so an arm about his bowed shoulders.
father was such an utter failure he want anything known.
stand
the
need
fo
r
caution?”
Opposite
Postoffice
“
Oh,
Nlta,
Nlta,”
he
groaned.
"How
much under the influence of my port
couldn't even get her a room In a
“ Oh, rather," said the former sec
and the belief that I never stir could you do such a dreadful thing
cheap hotel."
refary of Sir John Crowhurst. "It
I J U B C o n f e c t i o n e r y. Noon
abroad nnd know nothing of outside as this?”
" I know bow you must feel," Brad
was because of an overheard conver­
Mulet, watching her closely, saw •AA lunches. Home-made candy and
affairs, Is a frequent guest. The ques­
ney commented.
sation that we lost the Bogotan fields,
that slie bent upon the sitting man a ice cream. Ftrst street, next dooi ro
tion Is. would be recognize Barnes?”
“ We’ve got to get the money out of
Blain Clothing Go.
"Certain to," Barnes said gloomily. ] look which had something of maternal
Raxon,” Barnes went on, "even If which are tremendously valuable."
But
she
did
not
leave
the
subject.
To
“1 haven’t altered much since that day tenderness In It. It seemed strange IM PER IA L CAFE, 209 W. First
I'm the goat and end up In Sing
I threw him from the pier.
What to the observers that she stood there A-
Sing.
Frankly, Bradney, I ’m not the four men she seemed an eager,
Harold G. Murphy Prop.
as though to defend her father from
about Malet?”
Phone 665
much of an original thinker. I can pretty girl who had been by accident
WH N8VER CLOSE
“ Probably not," said the sculptor. enemies. Of shame or embarrassment
carry out another man's conception near enough to oil to catch a little of
"What Sort of a Comeback?”
In those days I was twenty pounds there was no sign.
absolutely and add a few improve- i Its Idiom. They were In love with her
"So you caught me," she said.
heavier, wore a mustache, and had a
ments of my own, but I look to peo- I when she hade them good night.
iennings Auto Top Sb’>p—Auto
“ Well," said Bradney when she had drag Information from me which Is general air of blen-etre."
‘‘Well, perhaps It Is best you did."
** trim m in g , seat covers and winter in ­
pie like you and Malet to dope out
gone,
"fo
r
amateurs
you
did
pretty
not mine to give. You are deliberate­
"Why?’’ Peter Milman demanded.
closures. 202 E. Second. Phone 418J.
the plans first.”
“ I am the man," Bradney declared.
N. L. Jennings Manager
“ Because I want to take him away
Bradney stirred a little uneasily. well. I envied you your flights of ly trying to make me betray my “ I doubt If he has ever seen me. We
friends."
know he talked to Malet fo r some from here. I came to America to look
He saw that the man of action was fancy."
"A woman has not dined In this
He hud risen to his feet. She could time. It Is I who must contrive to get after him—he hud been horribly
looking to him for guidance. The
MAGNETO ELECTRIC CO.
neglected—and I find him entangled
Into his house."
more ardently Bradney desired to pull house for over ten years,” said Peter see he was not pleased with her.
"’■A Investigate the new Prestolite
‘Indeed, I ’m not,” she said earnest­
"In what capacity?” Milman asked. In some network of crime. I made
down Paul Itaxon, the more difficult Milman. “ I might have had a daugh
Battery prices before buying.
the task seemed. This move of the ter of her age now. Barnes, there is ly. “ Daddy, I came over here because
“ There you have me,” the scientist him admit It was something with dan­
another
reason
for
our
need
to
sue
something
told
me
you
needed
looking
ger
in
It.
At
dinner
you
all
tried
to
admitted.
financier to Great Itock had nullified
V ag el’a Bob and Beauty Shoppe,
after. It Isn't thut I'tn trying to make
most of the laborious details garnered reed. She must marry well.”
We are safe to start by assuming," deceive me, and you would have suc­
Hotel Albany
Uneasily
Barnes
thought
of
the
pos
you
betray
your
friends.
I
want
to
by Peter Milman concerning the va­
Manicuring, marcel'ing, facial
Mllman cut in, “ that Paul Raxon Is ceeded If I hadn't happened to know
Miss Lampbear, operator
cated home In Short HIIJv In New slhlllty of his duughter having for a be sure that they are being honest always cautious. From the outside something about oil. You want him
because of his courage, and because
Jersey the domestic arrangements had father one who wore stripes <t his with you."
his house Is Impregnable.”
Pianos I Pianoa ! ! Some big
"Yes," he agreed
" I have never met squarer men,” he
been on a simple plan and the serv­ state's expense.
"You mean," Bradney remarked, he Is strong and a goot shot and boxes
hargains in second hand pianos; one
answered.
ants few. In the Long Island man­ soberly.
that to get In one would have to be well. He Isn’t clever and scheming $85, one $195; one $250. C allat
When he had lighted a cigarette
as you are, and I won't have him
"Then I’m on their side. too. Sly vouched for?"
sion much greater style was kept up.
Davenport Musie House, Albany
There were exteuslvo grounds and and was sitting In a big chair In the father and his friends, right or wrong."
‘Undoubtedly,’’ said Peter MllmaD. made use of."
girl's room, he thought there would
“ Nlta, Nlta,” groaned her father,
many outdoor servants.
Barnes did not know what to say “ I f someone socially prominent took
PULLM AN CAFE
"I'm afraid you must not look for lie ninny to ofTer themselves. She hud But a daughter of Ids could not be as­ you there, It might be all right. “ you've got everything wrong."
Good food. Fopular pnces
“ I think I have misjudged your fa­
much help from me.” Bradney said. her mother's slim figure ami unforget- sociated with anything Irregular. He There was one curiously disquieting
227 W. First
•'Mllman has assured me absolutely able eyes added to the vivacity nnd shook his head.
thing Loddon told me about Raxon. ther," Milman said. “ I am very glad
that It Is to Raxou I owe my downfall. i heerfultn ss of the women of his own
"I cannot accept your assistance," When he has injured a mao he ex­ to find what you did was not at his
he told her.
He has literally stolen my existence. family.
pects some retaliation, and takes tho suggestion. I think there Is much for ßO SC O K A.MES HARDWARE
Yours, too, and poor Mulct's also. If
"What Innocent plotters you all
"Very well. 1 shall tell Mr. Mllffinn precaution of having the Injured one you to explain. You are a guest un­
1 had accepted a bribe disguised as a were!" She laughed. "Did any ol I inn leaving after luncheon tomorrow. watched. We know he dogged Barnes der nty roof, and there are certain
The Winchester Store
usual form of commission, I should you really think you were deceivln
I came over here equipped, specially for years. Even now there may be laws of courtesy and consideration
probubly have beeu what the world me? Poor old dear, you dou't know equipped, for n certain sort of posi­ those who know for what purpose we not less binding on you than me. You
terms a great mail today. If you had even the a b c of the thing. I've tion, nnd I'm going to get It.”
four are gathered here. I am not cer­ have chosen to break them. You have
not been ufruld jo u r aged aunt would been living In an atmosphere of petrol
"Skilled secretarial workers and tain but that- Achille speaks English spied upon us. You have not be­
haved as I should have expected a
see you In an altercutlon concerning —or gasoline, as you call it here—for stenographers nre drugs In the mar­ as well as he does French.”
Attoruey at law
a roof garden actress, you would noi half n year. It fills the air In Europe. ket," he assured her.
The listeners were startled at the gentlewoman of your family to do. Practices in U. S. and state courts. Suits
Why?"
have been disgraced. Had MHlet pos People like Sir John Crowhurst, who
at law.in equity and estates in probate
'I am not going to he a stenogra­ sudden change they saw on their
sessed a less generous nature, be are the heads of oil companies, have pher," she retorted. “ I did that to host’s face. Where he had been mere­
“ I ’ve told you,” she cried. “ 1 know carefully attended to at
minimum
would have been talked of iu a breath political affiliations everywhere. How- earn money to coine here. I shall tnke ly thoughtful nnd slightly worried he you are trying to make my father help charges Money to loan.
with Itodln.
Raxon, Ituxou every­ do 1 know? 1 wrote ull Sir John's the other position, so you won't have was now actively alarmed. He was you In something desperate, and I
Baltimore bldg , Albany. Oregon
where. I.et me tell jou I'm Just as private letters, of which he kept the to live on a stranger's charity."
leaning forward examining something don't choose to have him run risks for
other men.”
ready to go the lim it us you ure. As I carbon copies locked up in his safe.
"That Is a hard thing to say," he on the table before him. They re­
TUSSING & TUSSING
• matter of simple fad. we were look
’’You are absolutely wrong." the
I grew Io know ns much as an out­ answered, (lushing; “ and It's not alto­ membered it wus the electric dial,
miserable
Barnes
asserted.
Ing to you to make the first concrete sider could. That's why It amused me
LAWYERS
gether true. Mr. Milman sought me that Ingenious device for the protec­
•uggestlon."
“ Prove It," she retorted. "You ark
to hear you four prattling away llku out because he thought I was able to tion of his home against Invaders.
Halsey and Brownsville
“ T h a t scoundrel l.lp p sky drove every mechanics talking weights and handi­
silent.
You
dare
not
tell
me
the
help him. I am not living on charity.
The face of the dial was divided
Idea from my mind." Baines con caps io a steward << the Jockey club."
Oregon
Into six parts. These numbered sec­ truth. I knew you wouldn’t, so I
“ What Is It you are trying to do?
fessed, "but we have plenty of time."
climbed out of the window to listen to
"My dear Nlta." he said, “ was It she asked.
tions would tell Mllman on what part
what you were talking about. I'm not
He «topped short as ids daughter fair to keep pumping us?"
“ You must not expect me to tell of the roof the Intruder was. The
esiue lu with Floyd Malet. What n
"Why not? 1 was certain you knew you. My dear, don’t be hasty and three, pressing about him. saw that a going to make any silly fuss by telling Your eyes examined and a fiue
beauty she was. he thought affection- nothing about oil, nml I wanted to
pair of
red light suddenly Illuminated the the police. A ll I want Is to take my
leave us yet. Promise me that?"
father away. I ’m going to make a
ately. and Imw gracefully she currle I make sure the rest d id n 't The only
square murked 1. A hand moved very
She kissed him good night.
success
of
him."
herself. Breeding In every line of thing I could assume was that they
" I won't go yet.” she said. “I can t 6lowly to the square numbered 6.
her! Then (lie thought of his flnan were trying to sw lirtle you. It was lose you as quickly as that."
"He Is free to go." said Peter Mil-
“ That," Milman whispered, looking
clul Inadequacies ca.... to him like a horrid to Imagine poor Mr. Milman
relieved, "represents the weight. Six man wearily. He looked at Malet and
in a frame of your own choice
\\
hen
she
wus
alone
her
face
took
d u ll pain.
W h a t bail he to offer? ns a swindler.”
Bradney. “ So are you. I suppose
on a worried aspect. She had suf­ pounds means a large and prowling did lure you here under false pre­
N o th in g
A few m onths' respite and
"Most emphatically he Is not," her fered many things In order to he with cat.”
a new life w o u ld o ffe r Itse lf. W hat father exclaimed.
tenses. In the beginning It seemed so
They heard a sudden exclamation.
him. nnd she determined to find out
simple."
Would th a t he? lie d id n o t lik e to
"Then what about the others?"
The
weight
went
up
a
hundred
and
what the mystery was that envelope ]
th in k
’I o liv e fo r the day was a
Nlta looked about her In amaze­
Neeland Barnes groaned.
It was this strange household. Although she twenty pounds. The square numbered
H a n ie s m otto
lie hoped I ’e te r M il
going lo he very difficult Io put Nlt.i was not yet twenty-two, she had trav­ 1 was now In darkness and another ment. She did not understand why It
seemed they bad forgotten her. Even
man hud. Indeed, siuue d e fin ite work
off the scent. She was half I'essen
Jewelers and Optometrists
eled widely and met Innumerable peo­ was Illuminated. They could trace her father turned from her to Peter
lu g plan
I f It « . re only a m a ile r ol don, nnd the Fessendons Invariably
the path of the trespasser. He was
ple.
In
Mllman
nnd
Ills
associates
Mllman.
,
w a d in g th ro u g h the Raxou men serv­ got what they went after. Pertinacity
creeping near them.
Albany, Oregon
she recognised men of charm and cul­
" I shaft go only when you have no
ants and bcu thig th e ir m aster It would was theirs In a large measure. The
"Achille," Miliums whispered. "That
ture
who
had
made
her
father
their
be Simple
He had not In Ills pasi Id, i of Imagining Bradney and Malet
would be Ills weight. The six pounds further use for me," said Bradney.
"When I have done whnt I prom
been noted fo r subtleties, and labor! trying lo swindle Idin brought a smile firm admirer, And they were all hold­ was when he rested a foot on it be­
ing hack from her any mention of
ous, slow processes soon w earied him. lo Barnes' fare. Literally, he had not
fore
putting
his
whole
weight
on
the
iseo
i il g„. Not before." This from
their real venture. In order to de­
Nila slipped her a rm Into that of one cent In the world.
grating."
MaleL
ceive
her
they
hnd
clumsily
Invented
her tall, handsome father.
Peter Milman betrayed no nervous­
"N lta," he begun earnestly, " I put
"There were no false pretenses In
"Don't look so glum," she chided you on your honor not to repeat what nnd acted a falsehood. It could only ness now. Noiselessly he drew the IL" Neeland Barnes cried. " I cnine
be beenuse they were plotting some
She was In very good spirits.
The I aiu going to tell you to anyone on
sawed off shotgun from Its place. willingly, nnd I II be d—d if 1 go.”
thing of an Illegal nature.
Manufacturers of
Then with h touch of a button all
shock of the l.lppsky episode had been any pretext whatsoever."
"What does It nil mean?" the -tri
They hnd played oo her father’s
forgotten when she entered this unique
'All rlghl," she said. ‘‘Agreed. Go emotions nnd earned tils gratitude nnd lights In the garden were extinguished.
(Continued on page i>)
In the darkness the shades rolled
home. She could associate neither on."
co-operation by a few hundred dol­ back. Against the sky, bright with
failure nor poverty with any of the
"I have not a nlvkel In the world
lars.
For
so
small
a
thing
It
had
been
mm l,.-m..,ii, i i, roof, S|,,, WM gurlous Bradney and Malet have a hundred
stars, the watchers could see a figure
to know what had brought them to dollars apiece, maybe a Rule more. possible to enlist his sympathy and lying above their heads. Another
aid. They hnd been clever enough to light was switched on which left the First and Baker
get her here. It was difficult to con
Albany
Peter Mllman w ill have to sell this
celve of her father ns a successful house and Its contents In titre,» create the illusion that she was wel­ group below still in darkness, but Chevrolet C a ri 6- Parti. Eepiaring
come
when
In
truth
they
might
be
em­
showed pitilessly on the trespasser.
business limn. Lady Horsham ha I months' time. All Ids money was tied
often declared few men had been of up lo International Motors. We are barrassed by her presence and alrendv The gun was already at Milman's 1926 Pordcoupe. finecondilion. Bargs,u
planning
to
get
rid
of
her.
She
decid­
shoulder when Neeland Barnes made 1926 Chevrolet touring, good tires, fine
fered such opportunities nml made less four gentlemen from the chorus of any
finish.
ed she would not be driven out. Her a Jump for it nud pulled the barrel
o f them than Neeland Barnes.
, . I f Y°tJ enjoy a good meal
beggars' opera. It s true we aren't father needed bis daughter even If he
down.
By adroit questioning of the four here on any oil promotion business,
a
meal when vou get it
FOR SALK
did
not
yet
know
It.
The
thought
that
“
My
God,
Mllman
1"
he
cried,
white-
cu ll be back for you'll not fo r £ t it.
•he learned their secret. They were hut we tuve come together for a very
three dangerous men might be plot­ faced "It's my girl. It's Nlta."
ARAG O N CAFE
Legion lunch
engaged In promoting a company to serious ouslness. He ar« trying to
ting some crime for which Neeland
"Ah," said Milmau with a curious
operate In (he Torrance oil Ovid In stage a come back.”
SlSOO.fiO
$250000
”
*■
Tuesdays
Barnes
would
ultimately
bear
the
$3000.00
smile, “ so I perceive. A strange posi­
•ouih California
Nlta was silent for a moment, It blame drove her to action.
S3500 00
$4500.00
G E O . M. G IL C H R IS T
$6000.00
tion
In
which
lo
find
a
guest.
Is
R
"H o w Interesting!" »he cried. "As was not easy to readjust herself.
$7000.00
ALBANY
Her room was at the rear of the n otr
It happens, I know a lot about oil
"Whnt sort of a come-back?”
Linn County Abstract Co. Inc. Ticket office Bell Ltne Stage.
house. Four Iron bars protected Its
"Inexplicable,"
said
Bradney.
He
companies and their way o f doing
Her father hesitated a moment.
windows. Almost five feet below she cast a suspicious look at Barnes.
Established 1892
Albany. Ore
Albany to San Francisco, $1S,
business, you see, my lust position In
‘1 don t think you'd understand."
could see the Iron grating which
“I
think,"
Peter
Milman
went
on.
London was as secretary to Sir John
“ Can I help yop?",
roofed in the Japanese garden. When "we should like a talk with Miss
« row hurst, chairman of the Persian
“ No, N lta ; It Isn't work for women." she leaned down from her open win
Barnes."
Bagdad O ilfields, L im p , I
D E LB E R T STARR
"You menu there's danger In It?"
dow she could hear, faintly, the sound
" I'll fetch her,” Barnes said eagerly.
"You?" cried her astonished father,
He wss afraid to say too much. He of voices.
Funeral Director and Licensed
He
was
confused,
ashamed,
hum
1
1
1
and then sud-lct-', rementl
I the dreaded to be entrapped by her seem­
It was about her they were speak
i •?*
Of interest
Embalmer
atrd.
thousands of words the could la ke i ingly Innocent questions.
He knew fng Barnes had come from her room
Heal Estate
Insurance
• You w ill l>e kind enough to remain
L
A
D
Y
A
S
S
IS
T
A
N
T
minute.
she was mentally much quicker than with the disquieting Information that here." sai l Milman. Barnes ssw that
* rompt service, courteous treatment.
Brownsville, Oregou
he The Fessendons again.
fbflf ta li on oil hgd atpused her very he was menaced by that tuest dread
w m B ain with Lane County Abstract
company, Albany
P recluse
■/ fifth
AVENUE
WYNDHAM
MARTYN
co.
George William Wright
T oric Reading Glasses
$ 6 to $ 7 .5 0 .
F. M. French & Son
A lb a n y
Creamery Association
LINN BUTTER
Willamette Chevrolet Co.
and Buyers of Eggs
arm ors’ Co-operative
Creamery
SECLJHED ^arm Mortgages
farm loans
f
>
.1