The evening world. Newspaper, July 23, 1914, Page 15

CHAPTER XI. Truth or Faleehood. (Continusd.) N Friday of this week—if I can manage it by tbat time,” eaid Leclero, looking through his thick glasses, t ae though he had only now Gecovered a humanness and charm in this new client. ‘Meet me at 3 e’clook in the afternoon"—— “Here?” she finished, too impatient to await the slow speech of the man law. “No—at the offices of my corre- spondents, Cowen, Covington & Bhown, No. 32 Nassau street.” “You have asked me several ques- tions, Mr. Leclerc,” said she. “Now, may I ask you one?” “Certainly—though I may not be at liberty to answer it.” “You have the other blue buckle?” inscription on it, e there an inscription on !t?” be parried. After he had departed Craig waited @ moment for ber to speak ~verhaps to offer some explanation—but she only passed her hand across her eyes, as if in wearinoss. “I think—you are not pleased with me—that you have been thinking un- kind tbings about me!” And there ‘was the sheen of tears in her eyes. . “Child, child!” he whispered cam you expect me to understand-— when you do not tell me all! “You've been so good to me—to us, Mr. Rutherford! it hurts me to feel that you—you think {ll of me—and I cannot prevent it—yet!" “Then I shall suspend judgment until you can.” “You bave judged me already!” she eatd. “Miss ——, what other name have you besides Wilhelmina?” bo asked, laying his hand upon the little gloved one, by his side. “Father calls me Bil ewered. “Bilite, Billie, Billie!" whispered; and with every utterance of the saucy tle name he drew nearer to her. On their return to the West Tenth street house they saw Sophie going up the steps; evidently returning from an afternoon out. They entered just as the telephone bell rang. Miss Ballantyne took the receiver, and at the first words she turned pale. “Wait a moment,” she said to the other person; “Mr. Rutherford is here. Tell him, please!” “Who is it?" said Craig. “Father,” she answered, “Hello, Mr. Rutherford!" the voice called. “1 disliked to alarm my daugh- ter unnecessarily, but 1 have reason to believe that some persons, one of them a man, visited the rooms there, this afternoon.” “Where—here?” “You” “Do you know who they were?" “I heard a man's voice and a wom- en's vol I didn’t recognize the lat- ter, but the man was Helderman. “Weren't you hero?” », “They were talking about—the blue Buckle,” the answer came, evading his question apparently. “About what time?” “Between a quarter after five and and half-past." “Your daughter was not here then. She was with me at the Ritz-Carl- ton. We saw Helderman there. Are you sure?” There was no reply. Evidently the copnection was cut off, or Ballantyne had no more to say. Rutherford hung up the receiver and turned to the ain. She had followed the details from his half of the conversatlo “If Mr. Helderman was here,” whispered, “he must hav rectly here after leaving us. “And he must have known that your maid would be out, too,’ ob- served Craig. “Look here, Miss Bil- Ne Ballantyne, your father must have been here, here, this afternoon, In this hguse, under the very self-snme roof wien you!" “Oh, no! |_He—he"—— *Don't He to me!” stormed Cratg. Miss Ballantyne gave him one long, straight, very angry glance and out of the room with tho alr of ‘an offended princess. “OH APTER XU. ~ The Grip in the Dark. UTHERFORD found the taxt still waiting In front of the house and departed therein in high dudgeon to bis club a and to dinner. After he had fallen asleep that night he woke with @ start. ‘He was sure that something or some one was moving about In his room. "And then a tiny searchlight swept actoss his face inquiringly. Craig flung himself clear of the covers and with a flying stride was upon the burglar, throttling him. Surprised and stunned the man went down. Craig's hand went instantly te’ the burglar's right. He tore the tetol from the clenched fist, and flung it-across the room. "Yn the tenseness of the moment, two things came forcibly to Craig's notice. One was that while he him- welt was breathing fast and hitrd trom hi jon, the breath of his captive was as even and regular as if he were asleep, The other was that neither of them had made a stfund in the quiet encounter. 4n the silence le heard the chimes lock in the stately tower iquare complete their A New York Sun ITHE BLUE BUCKLE © Realising that his antagonist was | Playing with him, allowing him to use up all his energy, itherford gathered himself together for a mighty effort. The push button on the opposite side of the room would summon Mike. He must reach it, If he had to drag this inert weight all the way across with him. He turned in that direction. Whether the man suspected hie in- tention, or decided that the time was now ripe for an effort in his own behalf, Rutherford could not guess. He only knew of the swift change of attitude, as a grip like the snapping shut of @ steel spring closed down n his arm. He knew that hold. le had never felt it but once. He had never in all his experience in the world of sport met such another. In his amazement he uttered a eing! word: iderman!” Suddenly, the man wrenched him- self clear of Rutherford, and darted toward the door, as if he had but one object in view, to make Rutherford darted after him. motion and met the on- coming man with terrific momentum. Rutherford was hurled to the floor by the Impact. He felt himself seized in the grasp of two long, loan, power- ful arms, which seemed to him more like those of a gorilla than a human being. Slowly but surely he was bent back across the knee of this cunning op- ponent. He struggled vainly, feeling ribs and muscles which had not yet fully recovéred from his hunting ac- cident twist and strain. He thought he must burst asunder. A groan was forced from his tense lips, and the merciless agony was ended by 1 consclousnogss. CHAPTER XIII. An Offer of Marriage. EXT morning Miss Ballan- tyne received a note from Helderman asking leave to call that evening and say- Ing that he should do so unless he heard from her to the contrary. Her first impulse was to telephone. But her pride held ber back. He bad accused her of lying, the night before, and she must wait for him to apolo- size! So she held a short conversa- tion with her father, and he saw no objection to the interview; on the contrary, pointed out that it might be very advantageous to her, It was not every day that Influential bankers concerned themselves with the pei sonal concerns of possible clien Early in the evening at the appointed hour a smart limousine rolled up to the old-fashioned house on Vest Tenth street. Helderman felt elated to be received so graciously by the self-possessed young hostess, although he may have felt surprise at being ushered into the somewhat bare study. The sole orna- ment to relieve its busine: ike as- pect was the splendid borned bead mounted upon the table. “I wish to speak of your blue buckle. 1 would warn you to guard it carefully—to trust it to no one! You may not know it, but others seek it and its meaning, as well as your- ea! I may tell you, as I informed you yesterday, that I am indirectly interested in this affair, but only in so far aa it concerns the relinquish- ment of the estate to the right party. I knew Goeffrey Ballantyne in life"—— ou knew my uncle!” “Yes—and I have reason to believe that he regretted the injustice he had done and wished to make reparation, But he has involved his will in so many curious safeguards that his purpose may be defeated by impos- tera! “Will you please explain yourself “If the buckle is not in your pe: easion that is bad, It is in y? “If you are to prove your claim— this week--It would be well to go alone and ayold confdantes, “You may think it singular that I have taken all this trouble to warn you of things, many of which you may ulready know, Kut what do you know {s the inexhaustiblo resow fulness of—your enemy. That quet is constantly active—constantly at work, in channels you know not, and alding her is a large suppiy of funds, against which you would be helpless, Tam telling you this frankly, through a selfish motive, for there Is only une wuy In which you can controvert such agencies,” “And how is that?” asked the girl, breathlessly. “You must marry me!" Tho words were uttered ulmost in the tone of quiet commund. Misa iallantyne sprang to her feet, her hands clasped against her breast. “You seem to regard this as merely another business matter, sir!" “I crave you pardon tor speaking of tho — practical side, first,” he sald, in low earnest tones, bending toward her, “We men of affairs are tuo apt to forget that ‘tls love that makes the world go round. Will you give mo credit for sincerity when I say that ever since I first saw you, 4 on the Gothic, | have hoped and longed for the moment when I could pour out my heart to you! My desire to serve you is but a part of this expression. I love you, a¥ [ never loved gold, or power--as 1 never by Heved It poasibie to lo y woman “Stop, Mr. Helderman! Do you think it Is quite honorable to make a business engagement the pretext for any such avowal as this?’ “Can you net bolieve me?” ho pleaded, Looking at his fervent, adoring eyes, the girl felt with the swift tn- atinct of womanhood that he was telling the truth about his passion, however she might doubt his other pretensions, And ‘granted this pre- mise, he was & man quite desperate enough to fo to any extremes—even to the betraying of the other woman, if she were hia accomplice—to the furthering of his desires. She re- umer Mystery Story of Smuggled A Comprise Novel Each Week in he Evening World “What for?” exclaimed Craig. “Wasn't suspicion directed pretty pointedly at a couple of passengers on that ship?” “But why sbould such a report have been circulated at ali—and who could have been interested in it?” he ques- tioned. “It was all part of a shrewd scheme by your friend Helderman. He was afraid the secret service men might h just such a message, and he started it on bis own account—to divert suspicion—from himseif!" “Then Helderman’s a smuggler?” queried Cra! “I believe you,” was the only rep; tho secrot service man vouchsafed. Then he turned and asked, unex- pectedly, “Who did you up, Mr, Rutherford?” “At 2 o'clock in the morning,” an- awored Craig. “Then it wasn’t Helderman!” “But is waal There's just one man I've ever known that had such a grip,” Craig persisted, voxed at the detective's doubt “At 2 o'clock, night before last,” at “I saw Helderman pacing back and forth before his window up on Riverside Drive, Ho did not leave the house.” “And be was there last night, too,” added Crowder. gave over trying to shake the men’s conviction that Hel. derman could not have been his sallant; and they rose to go, expres: ing the hope that he would soon be about again. “Oh, by the bye, Mr. Rutherford,” eatd Crowder, stopping, bat in hand, “you remember my mentioning a Mr. and Mra Talcott as the ones on whom"—— “Yes, I remember!” Craig in- terrupted, with # clutch in his throat. “Well, I've got a hunch that they are just blinds, just being used to ore suspicion from the real smug- jers.”" 5 “What makes you think 80, || Crowder?” Craig managed to ask. solved once more to be cautious, to temporiz “You—you would not expect me to give you a definito answer to- night, Mr. Helderman—unless it were a negative one”—— “At any other time I should not be so urgent,” he replied, almost fi “But @ great many things Mane Seon your decision.” you mean to—threaten me, Mr. Helderman?” “By no means, child—but you need ction right now—this week!” hy, | am not #0 alone, so help- leas as you would infer!” she blazed “There ia my father—and— “The precious Mr. Rutherford!” he sneered. “Your father does not dare appear in this matter. ‘He 1s euspect- ed of a serious crimo"—— ‘hat do you mean, sir?” “Why T mesn—if you must know— @ serious smuggling plot. And Mr. Craig Rutherford is also being trailed by Government detectives"— “False! As false in the one case as in the other!" she stormed. “Ah! You are quite a champton of his, I see! But the young man—does he—ah, return your trust?” It was a chance thrust, but a home thrust. The girl could only reply by tapping a little bell. Sophie appeared at the door, “Mr. Helderman cannot be detained longer, this evening, Bophie. Let him have his hat and cont? CHAPTER XIV. H Rutherford again opened his eyes to a dill, W insistent sense of suffer- ing, it was broad daylight. Some one was still _knead- ing his tortured frame persistently. “Helderman, you devil, stop!” he commanded, hoarsely. “No, Pritchard=the surgeon," re- torted the other man. ‘Now, ilsten to me! If » 1 don’t stop tossing about until I find out what's the mat- ter with you it will be all up with you about ever walking again,” Rutherford, sick with pain, sub- sided “You're pretty well done up," the surgeon observed as much to himself as to his patient, after a series of in- vestigations which seemed to the vic- tim like an inquisition. “It's in the old place,” muttered Craig—then he added savagely, “but -I will walk!" I like your spunk!" 1 will get well ‘Good for you! said the doctor. Craig breathed heavily, then he tn- haled again and turned his eyes to- ward the practitioner, “You using chloroform on me No—some one beat me to It and spilt all the bottle on your man ” ley? exclaimed the sufferer anxiously, “Hello, Mike!" For answer Mike lifted up a sick looking countenance, then struggled to his feet, saluted and collapsed back into his chair, me one ‘phoned for me to come once.” Who?" “It was a woman's voice." “But no woman could have known that I was hurt!" puzzled Craig. ook here, doctor, when did you get the message?” “At a quarter of three—but I didn't o back to bed, as she insisted that come at once.” “Didn't the lady give you her name?" “Yes, but I didn't get it clearly. T have the impression that it was Val- entine.” Valo Craig's jaw dropped, leaving the name unfinished, He groaned, suffer- ing in mind and body. Now he knew why he had been attacked. Helder. man had come to search his rooms and his person, for the necklace or the buekle—or both—and, worst of all, with the connivance of a woman who, he had felt more than once, was de- celving him! And moreover, she was 80 closely advised of all Helderman's movements, that she was a ly able to summon a doctor for hjs victim, in- side the hour! The fact that she took “Sims here saw a young lady enter the house up there, a little after two. We've often seen her going in and out. She seeme to be @ relative, or bp accomplice, or something. She !s the trouble to summon ald was mighty poor comfort! The physician must have seen his anguish of body and soul, for he mixed a sleeping draught and gave Talcott"—— it to Craig. Under ita influence he ‘Why, you don’t know Mrs. Talcott, sank into a troubled but restful slum- Crowder!" Craig pro trying vainly to keep his voice steady. “Don't I, though! Sims has known her over since she came across on the ic ims nodded. “Slender woman, ful, long gray Fond of wi seen her. She in a cab a few minutes after you heard the clock atrike two downtown, and Helderman met her at the door, T gaw them.” nee rang just after The telephone the detectives lef was Miss Ballantyne’s voice “The secret service men again, greeting Craig a trifle uncertainly. Mike, I wish I weren't so popular!” ~ “Could you—could you find it con- It was, in truth, the secret service venient to call this afternoon? I don't men who called, the next morning, want to put you to too much trouble, but not the imitation ones whom but I wanted to arrange to get « Craig had.in mind. Gooley ushered certain ploce of property before I them in about 10 o'clock, and lined called at the lawyer’s"—— them up {n_ the bedroom, where his = “I'm very sorry,” ne replied, “but I master could see them without turn- am still unable to navigate very well. ine his head, Although Craig waa Even I cannot reouperate from treat- much better than he had belleved he ment auch as I have received at short could be so soon after the terrible notice.” twist to his spine, he was still not “I—I—thought that if you could inclined to exertion, But be was call, I would tell you in—how sorry I pleased with his visitors. am. I didn't mean to be rude, tho “Hello, Crowder!" he greeted one other evening, after all you havo of the two men. “I'm jolly glad you done for me and my father—but your have come.” words hurt! I know circumstances “1m glad to be here, sir, but sorry seem against me; and I should not you are laid up," tha detective co- blame you that you cannot keep your wponded. ‘This is Mr. Sims, He faith, In spite of them. Oh, if you kne you, although you don't know only wae how gladly I would tell you all!" Grale nodded and looked more | “It was very good of you to send closely at the other man. He acknowl- the surgeon!” he said. edged that he did not remember to “Send the surgeon! Do you need have seen him before. a surgeon?” There was no mistaking ‘He's one of us,” commen: the almost breathless anxiety “ her “What do you want to know?” tones, asked. “Why, you certainly must have “Mr. Rutherford, you once told me, known that I was pretty badly done in the presence of Mr. Brookfield, at up, or you would not have telephoned the Barristers’ Club that Mr. Holder- to ‘Dr. Pritchard!" he insisted, vexed man was tho man who read you ® at her posing. ber, It. was mid-afternoon when he awoke, Mike was sitting by his bed, and now grinned broadly. ello, Mike, yourself again?” ‘Sure, sor, and hoping you are en- joying the same blessing!" “Oh, I'll be better after I've had something hot to drink. Anything else happened?” “Not just like the Inst, thanks be— but two men called this morning who were anxious to see you and when they found out how banged up you were they said they’ come back tater, gor.” “Grace- Has a he said. ted Cratg. Craig wireless message right off the reel.” pr, Richard? Y know no Dr. Rutherford nodded, He noticed the Richard. Tell me what ts the mat- other man hitch his chair nearer tho ter—piease!"* evidently was keen 1 ald Dr. Pritchard. Didnt you telephone him, about three o'clock, night before last, to come and look after me?" “T did not, Mr. Rutherford, How bed. Crowder upon the acent. Arte banker told you that this message was for the secret-service board?" Crowder continued, man “That's what he sald.” could I know that you needed a phy- “well Sims here was a special de- sician? If you would only tell me tail on board the Gothic, though I what ts the matter! You talk eo didn’t know it at the time.” strangely!" ‘am laid up for several days,” he anawered. ‘Some one entered my room, night before Inst. In the tus- sle T got the worst of it"—— “Oh, I'm so sorry! Bo came back the distressed voice. “And Sims shook his head. “T never got the message or any message like It—and if there was ono there ought to have been more about this necklaco—and never heard about sorry!" sage until I got to head- ae ere - I feel again as if I have been to “You sure of that?” Rutherford de- blame! Was it a burg! i manded. “You.” Did he get anything?” So, Mis# Ballantyne, you needn't worry on that account. The blue buckle is safe." He was tempted to hang up the re- ceiver, but waited to fire one parting shot. “By the bye, Miss Ballantyne, what did Mr. Helderman tell you?” “Last night?” she asked, wonder- ingly. “Positive,” was the reply. Rutherford looked at Crowder. “What do you make of It?" he asked, Why it's easy,” affirmed Crowder, “Helderman invented that message out of the whole cloth; that’s, what T told you at the time, And Sims ts right. So long as Sima didn't an- swer, Berlin would have sent another Helderman in- message to be sure. vented it." Are You Going Away for Vacation? When you go out of town for vacation you may find it is difficult and costly to provide yourself with the right sort of reading matter. Why send to the cily for novels at $1.25 or $1.50 each or buy them at a fancy price in some country store? You can supply yourself with the best, most delightful summer reading for six cents a week. By subscribing to The Evening World for the rest of the summer you will secure a complete novel each week. Not some old book a country dzaler has not been able to sell, but the finest up-to-date fiction by the foremost living authors. Bear this in mind, not only for yourself but for any of your friends who expect to spend their vacations in the country. Complete Novel in The! We CAL ALLAHLLECAL LE OILELLL ALLAAH LACH UELLLE ODD yy LULL rth Jewels—and a © == ay the night before—when I was jurt.”" hurt.’ “I did not seo him, the night be- fore. I saw him last night, and it was partly about this that I wanted to see you.’ “There seems to be some confusion about dates—but you did see him?” persisted Craig. mer yes—but how queerly you jood by,” he sald, putting the re- cetver back in place, of the Weat Tenth street house. She looked it through with professional thorough- nese, She found nothing of especial Interest pt a small, folded bit of paper on which was written: “Cowen, Covington and Brown— 82 Nassau--Friday at three.” ‘To-day was Friday, The maid quick- ly restored the paper to its receptacle, and hastened upstairs to her mistress, “Mademoiselle, will you tell me what costume I shall prepare for you to- day?” “Ob, anything. “Why not again the velvet gown and the velour hat, Mademoiselle? The combination is ever suitable for the Avenue, or for the stuffy old business office, Why do persons have to talk #0 much business, anyway?” “Then you can lay out the velvet gown. Besides,” she added to herself, ee Leclerc will know me easier by jat.” “Yes, Mademoiselle,” returned the maid, smiling. An hour later Miss Ballantyne was @ummoned downstairs by the telephone. “Hello!” called a man's Dusiness-like tone: "This is a Cowen talking. I wish to speak with Miss Ballantyne, please.” “This is Miss Ballantyne—but I do not recognize the namo.” “Cowen, of Cowen, Covington & Brown.’ “Oh, yea!" replied Billte, her heart beating more rapidly than ever, “Did Mr. Leclere tell you"— “Everyth: satisfactory, Ballantyne. “Oh, I'm so glad—so very glad!" “Mr. Leclere is not here just now, He is detained on another matter, CHAPTER XV. A Velour Hat. RIDAY morning, Sophie chanced upon Mise Ballan- tyne’s handbag on a desk He asked me to call you up and post- . pone the meeting slightly, It was to $e. at 3, I understand?” : at 3, this afternoon.” “I believe he agreea to deliver to you a certain--sentimental article— in which you are interested?’ it ready?” she ed, breathlessly. tainly. [am merely rehearsing theso details in order that there may be no misunderstanding. Now, Miss Ballantyne, {f you will be good enough to postpone your visit until Leclore will be able to see you “Until 4? Certainly,” Billle agreed; and the business-like person at the other end of the line thanked her, and rang off. Four o'clock came at last; and punctual to the stroke she presented hersolf at the spacious suite of, offices where Mr. Leclerc was to await her, ‘The office-boy smiled at her, and without waiting for her to give her name or errand started toward the inner office. “I'll tell Mr, Cowen,” was just going, but I don’t tb has left the office yet.” Miss Ballantyne wondered how the boy could know who she was 80 quickly; and if It were tomary in large offices like this to tell an office- boy #o accurately of expected clients, In a moment he wae back, asking her to follow. “Mr, Cowen is glad waited a moment longer, he sa There were two men seated in the room into which she was ushered. One she recognized as Mr. Leclorc, peering at her from behind hia heavy glasses. Tho other was evidently Mr, Cowen, as he sat behind a desk piled high with papers. Mr. Leclero arose. She approached him with band ex- tended. “You are here on time, Mr. Le- clerc," sho said, pleasantly. “You are back, Miss Ballantyne?” he remarked, not Ratlesng her hand at first, then taking it as if her greet- ing rather surprised him, “Back?” she repeated. “Why, I haven't been away,” “Ia there something furthor we can do for you, Miss Ballantyne?” Cowen inquired, courteously. “Further?” she questioned, smil- ingly, “This is Mr. Cowen, I be- Never?" “Certainly,” he replied, looking keonly at her, “I thought we agreed that everything was properly justed.”” “So [understood you to say,” she answored, ber mind reverting to tho telephone conversation, “and I have come for-—the blue buckle.” “The blue buckle?" Leclere re- peated, while Cowen appeared to listen to this strange conversation without comprehending It, “L came for it, as you suggested,” the girl said. "And you got It, as I promised,” Leclere replied. L-got it! BUMe exclatmed, tn onishment The buckle,” Cowen interjected. ve jt to you half an hour ago," . Mr, Cowen, I have only just she protested, u have only just come baok, of mirae, But you Were here half’ an hour ago.” “Indeed, I was not. T obeyed your telephoned instructions to come at 4 instead,” sho answered, with gentle ingintence, Mr. Cowen stood allent @ moment; then he said: “Miss Ballantyne, T did not telephone you "You mean that you h delivered the buckle to somebody!" she erted, starting forward, “We delivered it to youdon't you remember? Why, here is your own recelpt for tt!" Ho paused, started, then hurrled forward and looked at her intently, ELLA TLL LEE LL CELL WZ, A NEW CRIME-ROMANCE BY THE MAN WHO WROTE THE IMMORTAL “RAFFLES” STORIES The Thousandth Woman » E. W. Hornung, Autnor ot “RAFFLES,” Bt. Dictograph By William Hamilton Osborne | ALU LELLHODU AOL AL OAL OBOE UE CADET EDDM LDD LADD TO ADOBE SA LAUDE “Why, you are not the woman to whom we gave the buckle!” oe “You are not Miss Ballan- ynet” Leclerc, excited, worrted by thie new complication, 6 close to the fal and peered impersonaily into her face, through his thick gl “Good heavens, Mr. Cowel claimed, ‘this is the real Miss Bi tyne—the one I met up at the hotell” “And the other woman has buckle!" Cowen almost groaned. “I'll never know what was on it— the inscription, I mean,” sald Billie, in @ pathetio little voice. “It isn't quite as bad as that!” Leclerc exclaimed with some relief. He picked up a piece of paper and rapidly printed in capital letters the following stranve words: DOT ULAPSINNE KBAN IMMIA “There, Misa Ballantyne, are the symbole on the second blue buckl he sald. “And take heart againt One buckle i# valueless without the other, at the place where they are to Lf Pp pasha You atil have the other?” Billie nodded and took the proffered paper engerly, clawping it in her gloved hand aa though It were the moat precious object in the world. “My letters and affidavite—all bald o By identity"—— she asked, xing imploring eyes upon Leciers. He was obliged to tah the truth, “I turned them over to the other woman, believing my part in this strange transaction ended, and know- ing they would be needed in claiming the fortune.” Bophie gave @ little cry as she opened the door at home. So drawn and ward was the girl's face, in cont to the buoyant look of hope with which she had started on her mission downtown, that the French- woman was frightened. Without a word she hurried her mistress up- atairs, and undressed her and put her she were a tired 2 “You are #0 to me, Sophie,” her mistress said, gratefully, “and the rest of the world ie—no hard!” CHAPTER XVI. The Forged Note. HE slow dnaye of conva- lescence were naturally tedious ones to Craig Ruth- erford, active In body and mind as he normally was, T One day as he was getting bettor he chanced to see in @ newspaper the announcement that Helderman was about to start on a rest trip to Fiortda, The eame doy Miss Arany called on him. “You will excuse my not rising,” Rutherford sald courteously. soe I am rather incapacitated.” “Oh, I am so aofry!" claimed, with such a pretty ah Feal concern that ho felt pleased les her sympathy in spite oka in him, “And I believe that I owe the fact not worse off to your good I am offices.” As he fired this chance shot he watched her expresatve face intently; but she only replied, as if in pl surprisé: “To me! How have I usintention- ally been of some teal use to you?’ “You telephoned the doctor in ~ nick which was about A. M.," he answered, “I, Mr. Rutherford?” She raised her large and really beautiful eyes to his, meeting his gaze wit of a ohild. “I? Oh, if I only could be of service to you, I should be glad! But you will not seo this, you formal And this time you give T do not de- Who told you that I tele phoned in your benalf?” “No one,” he answered, frankly, ‘T was informed at first that it was a er person’ —— ; tee ap ign ahe jntecrapted, quickly. “ m! well apply to me, for I am indeed Miss Ballantyne, But the one of whom you fa the pretended Miss Ballantyne — or, hi Miss Ballantyne the pre- what do you mean, Mise asked Rutherford, coolly. urse you ere not Mise Ballan- porve. tyne.” “Of course I am Miss Ballantyne,” she retorted, defiantly. “f am Miss Ballantyne, the daughter of the woman with whom Geoffrey Ballan- tyne was in love, I am tho rightful heir to his fortune; and this Mise Ballantyne, alias Talcott, who is try- ing to rob me, has not joast claim, he is an impostor!” “Look!' she sald, holding out to him @ mass of papers. “Surely you will trust your own eyes! These will entablish my claim and forever quiet the falae pretensions of the girl who poses as Miss Bal! Plicates my coatum: Rutherford was sled by tbe conflicting chain of e dence. “Have you ever received any written communications from Wilhelmina Bal- Jantyne?” she asked. “Why do you wish to know?” “Because if you have you must rec- ognize her handwriting. Here note from her to you, which explain itself. it is the cause of my visit.” she produced a large, square en- velope which Crate recognized at a wlance was precisely like one he had in his desk, from Billie, relating to the Canadian advertisements, And the writing in appearance was the fame. He took the letter and opened it with the best show of unconcern that he could muster, Yer, there was the same monogrammed device in em- hossed characters, and below he read the following communication: “My Dear Mr, Rutherford: I know you will consider this n strange request, but when I nee you—if Lever do again—I will try to explain more fully, The law- yers who investigated my claims say that there is an error—some dreadful mistake somewhere—and that | am not entitled to the Bal- lantyne estate, So Tam writing you to aak you please to turn over the blue button in your posse to the lady you have known Mien Arany, She will show you the papers and you will know that “Tow me eR of by e distrust her presence always inspired ith the frankness allan. plied. fe Lad Mergen) tt” he 2 “y “Can a 708 with mean! been 5 iti “Then will you let me eee yaw Sp, morrow?” be Geli softy. Fhe ‘Suanse, hare 18 tay’ room. *3 Ean man: have evinced an im . int! Phare ow ek could telephone”—— “Why give yourself that ay let me have an order om trust company, or send down by your man, with we 0 se com) poate} that $i a the x feed ofan, aca nother claimant. ehol@ar. the blue buckle to—nelther cl “You have been playing with me— “No, Mies Arany, it t= you that bave: been playing with me. Y love he hake ds much apcine vite! y him.” “No, Mias Arany; that te tmrposnii constitute me merely a etal Until they are decided, I can when I offered you—my heart!” she stormed. > buckle!” om fe “You force mé then, Mr. Ruther? mine ford, to demand, what mand tho vide "pues ee a “T cantot ser tO your dethand)’ fay.” any fo: . “I must tell you that you refuse ig knew a ‘or once the truth. ade “Nevertheless, I am compelled to, refuse,” he replied, with studied po» liteneas. © he had laid beside him on the thrust it swiftly into the bag with the other papers, and with a celerity that was surprising she darted + ay of tne room without a word of br well, ; “Gooley!" he called si LA Mike Heard the note Of excitement in his master’s voice, and came inte’ the room on a run. Sho reached quickly for the pete table; “Here, got into your coat!” ga “Run Rtgs tet tay er escape you: ate scribbled oft ti wis tee of nui L Felderman house on Drive. Mike wriggied into his coat a chase. ment the Irishman had steed the piece of and Gown ing fe the covacnet ‘whe sd oe CHAPTER XVII. A Plan of Campaign. -:: MMBOOLEY hed scarcely 5 parted, leaving ‘nis tomes . Rutherford t back in his chair wue- veyed the instrument just out of reach, Some one knocked. Miss Ballastyne ti entered. “Oh, Mr. Rutherford! ‘The worst has happened! My papers and the” second blue buckle are stolen!’ “Yes, I know about it—I have eves rom paces Cee nn them againl Wheref tell _me, please!” ~~ ween 5 joa Arany!" she new it wae she!” “Your expression convinces me,” aid, “of a fact that f had aiteady Pretty. well In my own mind. “And what is that?” she asked, {1 ®@ constrained voice. "That you did not write me a letter to-aay, “Why, no! If I had written you a Land letter, why call? You still have the yuckle?" ace tt e locked up in @ bank lowntown; bu you wish relinquish It, why"—— pes: She interrupted, to tell him of Held- erman's call, As she was speaking, Lae died in, “Mr, Rutherford, will you t my profound thanks for shave done for us?” he sald your mishap?” Rutherford recetved his proffered courtesy in the spirit In wHion it Intended-a desire to forget past - u derstandings, . Prd ‘Anyway, Mi, Tallant: Craig presently.” ney eaanod oe the property, as T still have the buckle. Now, If we only knew thi of that inscription"\—— “Oh!" she exclaimed, and her fae, brightened. [have even the insoription from the aecond buckle.” (To Be Continued,