Adventure, December 1914 — page 56: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

o4 the close of the operation, serious loss of blood is overcome by driving back the greater part of it into the body, including of course, now, much of the salt solution. The artery and vein are closed up, of course, and the patient is carefully treated so that she will make a quick recovery. There is usually no difficulty on that score.” Minute after minute we watched the fas- cinating process of seeing the life-blood coursing through the porous tubes immersed in the salt solution, while Kennedy gave his undivided attention to the success of the delicate operation. It was, however, after all a tedious proc- ess, and as it became more and more auto- matic and allowed of relaxing attention just a little, Kennedy’s active mind resumed the consideration of other features of the case. “T’ve just been thinking,’’ remarked Ken- nedy, coming over to us, “‘that if we are to clear this thing up, there is no use in our all standing here doing nothing. Burke, your secret-service men must have had lines out about Morelos. According to the last re- port we had, he was in Bridgeport. He cer- tainly did not cross the Sound in the power- boat, and if he knew that we were out at Westport he would never think that we had returned to New York so soon. I should think that some of your men might find a trace of him. The chances are ten to one that he has returned to the city, at least for a flying visit.” Burke nodded. “T’ll do the best I can,”’ he said. ‘‘Per- haps they have been able to get something out of the men we captured the other night. But how about Alvarez and Sanchez?” Kennedy turned significantly toward the Sefiora. “T think she can tell us about them, if we can pull her through,” he replied. “While you are trying to run down Morelos, I wish Jameson would get in touch with Police Headquarters. We may as well have all the railroads, ferries and steamships watched, although I can’t say how much good it will do.” Burke left and I hastened to get Police Headquarters on the wire and have a gen- eral alarm sent out for the two missing representatives of the Mexican Federals. A minute search of the cabaret from roof to cellar, with the aid of Sinclair, failed to elicit any further evidence. There was not Adventure a soul there. Either the place had been de- serted , except for Schora Ruiz, when we entered or the others had succeeded in fleeing. We returned to the private dining-room where Kennedy and Leslie were still at work. Mrs. Hawley, showing the effects of the strain of the night, was sticking bravely to her post. “T think you had better let me drive you in the car around to a hotel,” suggested Sinclair finally. ‘‘You look tired out. The Vanderveer is only just around the corner.’ The mere mention of the name of the hotel seemed to arouse something in Mrs. Hawley. She looked up quickly and I knew’ that it had suggested to her the strange death of Valcour. “Oh,” hastened Sinclair, noticing it also, ‘“‘any place will do. You ought not to wear yourself out.” “T think I shouldn’t be able to rest much anyway yet,” she murmured, looking up at him. ‘‘Please let me stay. I’m just as anxious to know how it turns out as the rest of you.” There was something in her voice that arrested my attention. Sinclair had seen it already. His remark had started again a train of thought about Valcour and the at- tentions he had paid the adventuress both at the Seaville House and the Vanderveer. Sinclair bent ove: and made her more comfortable. “TI can’t blame you,” he remarked point- edly. ‘ify interest in the case Is exactly the same as yours. One can’t see two— three—acquaintances—struck down as we have and not wish to have justice done.” She looked up quickly at the word ‘‘ac- quaintances,” caught his eye, then glanced away again at the Sefiora across the room. It was not imagination, but I felt that she did not look so tired after that. I moved nearer Kennedy and Leslie, but in the still- ness of the room I heard nothing further from them. And thus the minutes lengthened into hours as the blood of the poisoned Sefiora Ruiz coursed through its artificial channels, literally being washed free of the toxin. Would it succeed? Would vividiffusion bring back the unfortunate woman, even long enough for her to yield her secret and enable us to catch the real criminal? What if she died? comicloook< C©