“ I t ’s Bo, lay secret,” he returned, much. The news had been a blow.
“ an t I ought not to say any more. 1
"Miss Barnes gives rue the Impres­ ful of weapons af short range, the
can only assure you that Malet and sion of being a very shrewd young sawed-off shotgun. He remembered
Its load of buckshot “ I fear I must
BradDey are splendid fellow., both far j |#(J
MgJet , ald> ..,Dd one DOt e„ „
superior to «e ver, high types. They {
h e 4 To„
know t „
wh£0 remind you that we must Insist on an
explanation from you. too. To allow
| believe that what we intend to do la
the only right and logical thing, You once we start, it w ill be almost Im­ you the opportunity of escape would A LBANY baking co .
405 West First
possible to keep one who Is already a be most unwise." He raised his voice
must let It go at th a t”
BUTTBR-NUT BREAD
a little, but he did not take his steady
"And because there's danger In It little suspicious In Ignorance.”
“ Yes,” said Bradney, “ I am afraid gaze from Barnes' face.
you think I'd better keep out o f It?”
"Miss Barnes," be said, "w ill you be A lb a n y Floral Co. C ut flowers
"Exactly," he exclaimed, gratified at she cannot stay here.”
and plants. Floral art for every
so kind as to come here at once?'
this attitude of obedience.
“ Her godmother lives In Phlladel
and all occasions.
’
“ Then it Is dangerous," she cried. phla,” said Barnes. "She can’t refuse
Flower phone 458-J.
Barnes saw he had made a damaging to take her In for a month or two. She
The girl's voice trembled as she an
admission.
She had trapped him said something about earning her liv ­ swered. It seemed to them all there
ALBANY STATE BANK—We
“ Daddy, what makes you think I'm ing, but I should prefer her to go to was a trace of defiance In her tone.
•“ » in vite fyour business. Savings and
afraid of anything that's dangerous?” Philadelphia."
“ I won’t be a minute. It's not very commercial accounts. Capital, surplus
“ Oh, Nita,” be said reproachfully,
" I am afraid she would be a source comfortable up here."
undivided profits, $100.000.
“ that's scarcely playing the game to of danger i f she remained," Peter
The shades were drawn again and
Miltnan agreed. “ Also, it would never the lights switched on more fully. P A ST B U R N « GROCERY
4 th and Lyons Street
do to compromise her In an affair Neeland Barnes looked from one to "
which might end disastrously.”
the other of the men whose faces had I he place to buy good groceries at the
right price. On the corner, plenty of
C O P Y R IG H T In
W.N.U
“ We've been too busy with theories,
been In the shadow. It seemed In­ room
to park. Albany.
Ihn UNITED STATES
SER.VICC
said Fleming Bradney when the prob­ credible that th ty could suspect him
BOMBSBM
lem of Nlta had been settled. What of complicity In this eavesdropping.
P*ORD SALES AND SERVICE
“ Outside here,” he said, “ In the dous luck, but 1 was the only girl la
we are after should be original dls- It was plain enough what her errand *
Tires and accessories
world which calls Itself society, Peter the business school that sent me there
wus.
associations of ideas."
Repairs
Mllman has the name of being a who could write as well in French as
“I
can’t
get
that
very
clearly,”
said
“
Let
me
explain,”
he
began.
KiRg-PoLLAK M otor Co.
soured old grouch and a disgrace to In English. We had a great many
Neeland
Barnes.
“
As
I
see
It,
all
we
Peter
Milman
stopped
him
with
a
his name. I usk you, as man to man. stockholders In Paris. I t was rather
want from Baxon Is a cold million. gesture. ‘'W alt,” he commanded. “ We P ortm iller Furniture Co., furni-
I f you've ever run across anyone more Jolly being bis secretary. Sir John
Half of that goes to Miltnan and we shall hear you when your daughter * ture, rugs, linoleum, stoves ranges.
considerate? My God, liradney, If you was one o f those quiet, clever men,
comes."
Funeral directors. 427-433 west First
split the rest.”
knew the sort of life I ’ve led since like Mr. Mllman, who deal In millions.
"Exactly," Bradney returned. “ That's
Barnes sank heavily Into a seat. He 9treet, Albany, Oregon.
that trouble at Saratoga trying to keep I may look like you. daddy, but I've
the very point. IIow are we to make felt that Bradney and Malet looked
my end up when my people had
the business brains of my mother's
upon him as a traitor.
him give np a million? I don’t know
P IN T E L WRECKING CO.
dropped me and my old puls cut me
people. Let me do your correspond­
N lta was wearing a blue silk dress­ A
You don't either. None of us knows.
436 West 1st
dead, you'd understand Just what this ence for you.”
Obviously the thing Is to get close to ing wrap when she came Into the
Used Parts for all cars
means. Pm going the lim it for Peter
“ Later, I see we shall have to take
Japanese garden. Her bearing was
him, into the house for choice.”
Mllman. You've Just seen how he
you into our confidence," Mr. Mllman
"He doesn't know me," Mllman de­ confident und unafraid. She came JJOLM AN & JACKSON
saved me from another humiliation. I
clared. "But I cannot be seen, be­ quickly to her father's side and put A*
Grocery—Bakery
should hav, had to tell my girl her said, smiling. "A t present we do not
You under­
E verything in the line of eats
cause Loddon, who has told me so un arm about his bowed shoulders.
father was such an utter failure he want anything known.
stand the need for caution?”
Opposite Postoffice
Oh, Nlta, Nita,” 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."
retary of Sir John Crowhurst, "It
J J U B C o n f ec t i o n e r y. Noon
abroad nnd know nothing of outsldo as this?”
“ I know how you must feel," Brad
was because of an overheard conver
Malet, 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,
lhat she bent upon the sitting man a ice cream. Ftrst street, next dooi ro
Hon Is, would he recognize Barnes?"
"We’ve got to get the money out of
Blain Clothing Go.
which are tremendously valuable.”
Certain to,” Barnes said gloomily. look which had something of maternal
Baxon," Barnes went on, "even If
“I haven't altered much since that day tenderness tn It. It seemed strange IM P E R IA L CAFE, 209 »V. First
I ’m the goat and end up In Sing Hut she did not leave the subject. To
the four men sha seemed an eager,
Harold G. Murphy Prop.
I threw him from the pier.
What to the observers that she stood there A
tdng
Frankly, liradney, I'm not
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
W’ K N S V E R 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
its
Idiom.
They
were
In
love
with
her
“ In those days I was twenty pounds there was no sign.
"What Sort of a Comeback?’’
absolutely and add a few improve- I
"So you caught me," she said.
heavier, wore a mustache, and had a
Jennings Auto Top Shop—Auto
ments of my own, but I look to peo I when she hade them good night.
‘‘Well, perhaps It is best you did.’’
** trim m ing, seat covers and winter in ­
pie like you and Malet to dope out I “ Well," said Bradney when she hud drag information from me which Is general air of blen-etre.”
gone, “ for amateurs you did pretty not mine to give. You are deliberate­
“ Why?" Peter Mllman demanded.
closures. 202 E. Second. Phone 418J.
the plans fir s t”
“ I am the man," Bradney declared.
ly trying to make me betray my “I doubt If he has ever seen me. We
N. L. Jennings Manager
“ Because I want to take him away
Bradney stirred a little uneasily. I well. I envied you your flights of
fancy.”
friends."
know he talked to Malet for some from here. I came to America to look
He saw that the man of action was
He hud risen to his feet. She could time. It Is I who must contrive to get after him—lie had been horribly
looking to him for guidance. The J "A woman has not dined In this
VJAGNETO ELECTRIC CO.
neglected—and I find him entangled
Into his house."
more ardently liradney desired to pull house for over ten years," said Peter see he was not pleased w ith her.
’A Investigate the new Prestolite
Mllman.
“
I
might
have
had
a
daugh
“
Indeed,
I'm
not,”
she
said
earnest­
In
some
network
of
crime.
I
made
down Paul Baxon, the more difficult
"In what capacity?” Mllman asked.
Battery prices before buying.
ter
o
f
her
age
now.
Barnes,
there
I
ly.
“
Daddy,
I
came
over
here
because
him
admit
It
was
something
with
dan­
the task seemed. This move of the
‘‘There you have me,” the scientist
another
reason
for
our
need
to
sue
something
told
me
you
needed
looking
ger in It. A t dinner you all tried to
admitted.
financier to Great Bock bad nullified
agel’s Bob and Beauty Shoppe,
after. It Isn't that I ’m trying to make
most of the laborious details garnered ceed. She must marry well."
"We are safe to start by assuming,” deceive me, and you would have suc­
Hotel Albany
T'nenslly Barnes thought of the pos you betray your friends. I want to Mllman cut in, “ that Paul Raxon Is ceeded If I hadn't happened to know
by Peter Mllman concerning the va­
Manicuring, raarcel'ing, facial
be sure that they are being honest always cautious. From the outside something about oil. You want him
Miss Lampbear. operator
cated home In Short IllUv
In New slhlllty of his daughter having tor
because of his courage, and because
Jersey the domestic arrangements find father one who wore stripes «t his with you."
his house Is Impregnable.”
p ia n o s !
Pianos ! ! Som e big
"Yes,” be 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. Call at
When he had lighted a cigarette
as you are, and I won’t have him
“ Then I'm on their side, too. My vouched for?"
sion much greater style was kept up.
Davenport Musie House, Albany
There were extensive grounds and i and wus sitting In a big chair In the fnllier nnd his friends, right or wrong.
"Cndoubtedly," said Teter Mllman. made use of."
girl's room, he thought there would
Nita, Nlta,” groaned her father,
Barnes did not know what to say " I f someone socially prominent took
many outdoor servants.
PULLM AN CAFE
you’ve got everything wrong."
“ I'm afraid you must not look for he many to offer themselves. She lmd But a daughter of Ids could not be as you there. It might be all right.
Good food. Popular prices
I think I have misjudged your fa­
much help from me," liradney said. her mother's slim figure ami unforget- soclated with anything Irregular. He There was one curiously disquieting
227 W. First
“ Mllmnn has assured me absolutely uhle eyes added to the vivacity and shook his head.
thing Loddon told me about Raxon. ther," Mllman said. “ I am very glad
that It Is to ltaxon I owe my downfall. cheerfulness of the women of his own
“ I cannot accept your assistance,'' When he has Injured a man he ex­ to find what you did was not at his
he told her.
He has lltcrully stolen my existence. family.
pects some retaliation, and takes the suggestion. I think there is much for
Yours, too, and poor Mulct's also. It
"What Innocent plotters you a
“ Very well. I shall tell Mr. Milnlan precaution of having the injured one you to explain. You are a guest un­ J^OSCOE AMES HARDWARE
1 had accepted a bribe disguised as a were I" She laughed. "Did any ot I ant leaving after luncheon tomorrow watched. M’e know he dogged Barnes der my roof, and there are certain
The Winchester Store
usual form of commission, I should von really think you were deceiving I came over here equipped, specially for years. Even now there may be laws of courtesy and consideration
not
less
binding
on
you
than
me.
You
probably have been what the world me? Poor old dear, you don't know equipped, for a certain sort of posl
those who know for what purpose we
terms a great liinn today. I f you Imd even the a b c of the thing. I've Hon, and I'm going to get It.”
four are gathered here. I am not cer­ have chosen to break them. You have
not been ufritld your 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 altercation concerning —or gasoline, as yon call It here—for stenographers are drugs In the mar­ as well as he does French."
Attorney at law
a roof garden actress, you would not half a year. It fills the air In Europe. ket,” tie assured her.
The listeners were startled at the gentlewoman of your faintly to do. Practices in U. S. and state courts. Suits
have heeu disgraced. Had Malet pos People like Sir John Crowhurst, who
at law, in equity and estates in probate
“ I urn not going to be a stenogra­ sudden change they saw on their Why?”
I ’ve told you,” she cried. “ I know carefully attended to at
sessed a less generous nature, he are the heads of oil companies, have pher." she retorted. “ I did that to host's face. Where lie had been mere­
minimum
would have been talked of iu a breath political affiliations everywhere, llow eurn money to come here. I shall take ly thoughtful and slightly worried he you are trying to make my father help charges Money to loan.
with Rodin.
Baxon, Baxon every do 1 know? I wrote all 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. Let me tell you I'm Just as private letters, of which lie kept the to live on a stranger's charity."
leanlug forward examining something don’t choose to have him run risks for
other men.”
ready to go the lim it us you ure. As carbon copies locked up In his safe.
"That Is a hard thing to say," he on the table before him. They re­
TUSSING & TUSSING
"You are absolutely wrong," the
a matter of simple fact, wo were look­ I grew to know ns much as an out­ answered, Hushing; "and It's not alto­ membered It was the electric dial,
ing to you to make the first concrete sider could. That's why It nmused me gether true. Mr. Mllman sought me that Ingenious device for the protec­ miserable Barnes asserted.
LAWYERS
suggestion.'*
“ Prove It," she retorted. “ You ark
to hear you four prattling away Ilka out because he thought I was able to tion of his home against Invaders.
Halsey and Brownsville
1 hat scoiimh el Lfppsky drove even- mechanics talking weights und handi­ help him. I am not living on charity."
silent.
You
dare
not
tell
me
the
The face of the dial was divided
truth. I knew you wouldn’t, so I
Idea from my mind." Barnes con caps to n steward of the Jockey club."
Oregon
What Is It you are trying to do?" Into six parts. These Duiubered sec­
fessed, "hut we have plenty of time."
“My dear Nlta," lie said, “ was It she asked.
tions would tell Mllman on what part climbed out of the window to listed to
what you were talking about. I’m nut
He stopped short hs Ids daughter fair to keep pumping us?"
Yon must not expect me to tell of the roof the Intruder was. The
rsme In with I'loyd Malet. What a
"Why not? T 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 flue
beauty she was. he thought affection- nothing about oil, and I wanted to leave us yet. Promise me that?"
pair of
red_ light suddenly illuminated the the police. All I want Is to take my
ately. and how gracefully she carried mnke sure the rest d id n 't The only
square marked 1. A hand moved very father away. I'm going to make a
She kissed him good night.
success
of
him."
herself.
Breeding in every line of tiling I could assume was that they
T o r ic R e a d in g G lasses
“ I won't go yet." she said. " I can't slowly to the square numbered 0.
“ He is free to go," said Peter Mil-
her I Then the thought of hts finan were trying to swlirfile you. It was lose you as quickly as that."
“ That," Milmnn whispered, looking
man wearily. He looked at Malet and
d a l Inadequacies came to him like i horrid to Imagine poor Mr. Mllman
in a frame of your own choice
M hen she was alone her face took relieved, "represents the weight. Six Bradney. “ So are you. I suppose I
«lull pain. What had lie to offer? ns a swindler.”
on a worried aspect. She had suf­ pounds means a large and prowling did lure you here under false pre­
Nothing A few months' respite an l
$ 6 to $ 7 . 5 0
"Most emphatically ha Is not," her fered many things In order to be with cat"
a new life would ,,ff,.r it s,.|f
tenses. In the beginning It seemed so
Wlial | father exclaimed.
They heard a sudden exclamation.
him, nnd she determined to find nut
simple."
would that he? Ile did not like to
"Then what about the others?"
what the mystery was that envelope 1 The weight went up a hundred and
Nita looked about her In amaze­
think
]o live for the day was a
Neelaud Barnes groaned.
It was
his strange household. Although she twenty pounds. The square numbered ment. She did not understand why It
Barnes motto, lie hop.-.| Peter Mil going to he very difficult to put Nlt.i
was not yet twenty-two, she lmd trav­ 1 was now In darkness and another seemed they had forgotten her. Even
nian had. Indeed, some definite work off the scent. She was half Lessen
Jewelers and Optometrists
eled widely and met Innumerable peo­ was Illuminated. They could trace her father turned from her to Peter
lug plun If It Wi re only a mutter ol don, nnd the Fessendens Invariably
ple. In Mllman nnd Ills associates the path of the trespasser. He was Milman.
,
Albany, Oregon
creeping near them.
wudliig through the Baxon men serv got wlmt they went after. Pertinacity
she reeognlied men of charm and cul­
“ I shall go only when you have no
nuts and heating their master It would was tlielra In a large measure. The ture who had made her father their
Achille," Mllman whispered. "That
he simple. He had not In Ida past Idea of Imagining Bradney nnd Malet firm admirer. And they were all hold. would be his weight. The six pounds further use for me," said Bradney.
"When 1 have done whnt I prom-
been noted for subtleties, and laborl trying to swindle Idm brought a smile Ing back from her any mention of was when he rested a foot on It be­
otia, alow processes soon wearied Idin. to Barnes' face. Literally, he had not their real venture. In order to de­ fore putting Ids whole weight on the
iseu t il go. Not before.” This from
A lb a n y
grating.”
Malet
Nila slipped her arm Into that of one cent In the world.
ceive her they had clumsily Invented
Peter
Milmnn
betrayed
no
nervous
her lull, handsome father.
"There
were
no
false
pretenses
In
“ Nlta.” he began earnestly, ” 1 put and acted a falsehood. It could only
C re a m e ry A s s o c ia tio n
"Don't look so glum.” she chided you on your honor not to repeat wlmt be because they were plotting some­ ness now. Noiselessly he drew the I t " Neeland Barnes cried. “ I came
sawed
off
shotgun
from
Its
place.
Fhe was In very good spirits.
The I am going io tell you to anyone on thing of an Illegal nature.
willingly, nnd I'll be d—d If 1 go.”
Manufacturers of
Then with a touch of a button all
shock of the Llppsky episode had Peen any pretext whatsoever."
"What does It nil mean?" the girl
They had played oo her father's lights In the garden were extinguished.
forgotten when she enter« d this unique
"A ll right," she said. "Agreed. Go emotions and earned his gratitude and
(Continued on page £>)
In the darkness the shades rolled
home, she could associate neither on.”
co-operation by a few hundred dol­
failure nor poverty with any of the
"I have nol a nl. kel In the world. lars. For so small a thing It lmd been back. Against the sky, bright with
men beneath Its roof. She was curious Bradney and Mulct have a hundred possible to enlist his sympathy and stars, the watchers could see a figure
to know what lmd brought them to dollars apiece, may he a little more. aid. They hnd been clever enough to lying above their heads. Another
Albany
«ether here. It was difficult to con
I'cter Mllman w ill have to sell this create the Illusion that she was wel­ light was switched on which left the First and Balter
«elve of her father ns a successful house and Its contents In three come when In truth they might be em­ group below still in darkness, but Chevrolet Cars £r Parti. F.epiaring
showed pitilessly on the trespasser.
business man
Lady Horsham ha I months’ time. All his money was tied
barrassed by her presence and already
926 Pordcoupe. flnecondition
Bargaiu
often declared few men had been of
up In International Motora. We are planning to get rid of her. She derid­ The gun was already at Milman's 192b Chevrolet touring, good tires, fine
shoulder
when
Neeland
Barnes
made
fared auch opportunities nnd made less four gentlemen from llie chorus of any
finish.
ed she would not be driven out. Her a Jump for it sod pulled the barrel
o f them than Neeland Barnes
I f you enjoy a good meal
beggars' opera
It s true we aren’t father needed his daughter even tf he
down.
By admit questioning of the four here on any nil promotion business,
uow. a goo<1 meaI when v«u
«
FOR
SALB
did not yet know It. The thought that
“ My God, M llm an!" he cried, white­
3ou II be back for you’ll not forget it.
the learned their secret. They were hut we have come together for a very
three dangerous men might be plot­ faced. "It's my girl. It's Nlta."
engaged In promoting a company to serious business. Me are trying to ting some crime for which NeelanJ
’ARAGON CAFE Le*;on ‘unch
"Ah," said Milman with a curious s e c u r e d
operate In the Torrance oil tleld In stage a come back."
” ■"
Tuesday»
$1300.00
Karnes would ultim ately hear the smile, "so I perceive. A strange post
$2500 00
$3000.00
south California.
$3500 00
N ils was silent for a moment, It blame drove her to action.
GEO- M. G IL C H R IS T
$4500.00
$6000.00
tlon
In
which
Io
find
a
guest.
Is
it
$7000.00
"How Interesting.'' f )IP cried. “ A< was not easy to readjust herself.
ALBANY
Her room was at the rear of the not ?”
It happens, I know a lot about oil
“ What sort of a come-back?"
house. Four Iron bars protected Its
inn
County Abstract Co. Inc. Ticket office Bell Line Stage
“ Inexplicable," said Bradney.
He
companies and their way of doing
Her father hesitated a moment.
windows. Almost five feet below she cast a suspicions look at Barnes.
Albany to San Francisco, $13,
Established 1892
Albany, Ore
business. You see. my last position In
" I don't think you'd understand."
could see the Iron grating which
“ I think." Peter Milman went on.
London was at secretary to Sir John
“ Gan I help yop?",
roofed In the Japanese garden. When "we should like a talk with Miss
O o « hurst, chairman of the Persian
"No, N lta ; It Isn't work for women." she leaned down from her open win
Barnes.”
Bagdad Oilfields, Llndie I
DELBERT STARR
dou mean 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 was afraid to say too much. He of voices.
I
uneral Director and Licensed
He was confused, ashamed, humlli- ,
and then suddenly reinenihii. ,| the dreaded to he entrapped by her seem­
It was about her they were speak
at lowest rate of interest
ated.
'
Embalmer
thousands of words she could take a ingly Innocent questions.
lie knew Ing. Barnes had come from her room
Real Estate
Insurance
"You w ill l>e kind enough to remain
L
A
D
Y
A
S
S
IS
T
A
N
T
minute.
»he was mentally much quicker than with the disquieting Information that here," t a l l Milman Barnes saw that
trompt service, courteous treatment.
—"TtL
ll * t | titqicu he. J ha I esaendoos again.
Brownsville, Oregou
their ta|J| 9° 011 hgt} atpused her very he was menaced by that mest dread
m B a in , with Lane County Abstract
^/^Tbany^/^irectory
»RECLUSE
? FIFTH
7 AVENUE
WYNDHAM
MARTYN
N
George William Wright
F. M. French & Son
LINN BUTTER
«and Buyers of Eggs
A F armer9' Co-operative
Cre«3mery
Willamette Chevrolet Co.
rarm Mortgages
FARM LOANS
"
company, Albany