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Speaker 1: Thornton smiled significantly by David Morrison. One, there is a

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lady outside who wishes to see you. There is a

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man with her. What's the name, Thornton asked, visibly, annoyed

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at the untimely intrusion. She would give no name, She said,

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you would not know her. She seems very anxious to

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see you. Thornton reflected a few moments. It was rather

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early for callers, and he had been about to dictate

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his morning mail. He resented the visit, but for some

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reason he could not fathom, he felt a slight curiosity

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as to the identity of his callers. He turned suddenly

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to his secretary. Show the men, Miss Armstrong. Please. As

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the pair entered, Thornton's curiosity was increased. The woman was

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about thirty years of age and strikingly attractive. He was

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expensively gowned and bore all the earmarks of wealth, but

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her companion was rather shabbily dressed and impressed one as

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a servant of the woman. The woman entered first. The

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man followed behind her, slowly, almost timidly. Thornton noticed that

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he clutched in his hand a large square box like

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a fair covered in black cloth. Mister Thornton, a woman gushed,

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advancing with a friendliness that was almost brazen. Thornton arose wonderingly,

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I'm afraid you have the advantage of me. I am

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miss Bender, Miss Ruth Bender. The collar beamed. I'm sorry

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if I've chosen a busy moment to intrude, but I'm

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sure you will pardon me when the nature of my

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visit is made known. Thornton motioned his visitor to a seat,

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and as she drew up a chair, looked up questioningly

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at her companion. She seemed to have forgotten the man,

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and now she turned toward him in sudden remembrance. Just

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take a chair, mister Parker, she said, making no move

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to introduce her companion, who was standing a few feet away,

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gazing stupidly about the room and shifting from one foot

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to another. He made no effort to put down the

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cloth covered object he was holding. At the sound of

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the woman's voice, the man turned dully, found a chair

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and sat down, making no move to draw the chair closer.

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Evidently not considering himself a party to the conference. He

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held the black box on his lap and seemed to

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handle it with extraordinary care. The woman turned to Thornton.

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I suppose you're wandering at the reason for my call,

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she began. Thornton smiled noncommittally. It's something of the greatest importance,

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the stranger continued, So I chose a time when I

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thought we would be least likely to be interrupted. It's

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of a very confidential nature. We will not be disturbed.

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Thornton found himself wondering just what it was about this

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woman that he did not like. But she had now

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aroused his curiosity, and he determined to give her an audience.

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He rang for his secretary. Will you see that I

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am not disturbed for the next ten minutes, he said

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to miss Armstrong. When she entered, the girl nodded assent

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and withdrew. When the door was closed, the woman turned

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to Thornton rather mysteriously, mister Thornton, as a live wire businessman,

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I believe you're interested in any legitimate proposition promising unusually

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large financial rewards, she began. Thornton breathed a sigh of relief,

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tinged with disappointment. The woman's manner and method of approach

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had wedded his curiosity and expectations, but he now prepared

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to listen to the usual harangues of the expert stock salesman.

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I'll warn you beforehand, he interrupted, I am not interested

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in stocks of any nature. The woman smiled knowingly. I

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haven't come to sell you any stock, mister Thornton. The

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proposition I have in mind is something larger, better, surer.

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The rewards are well tremendous. She leaned forward suddenly with

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an air of utmost confidence. Her voice was almost a whisper,

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and she glanced occasionally at the man who had accompanied her,

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and who was busy fixing the mysterious box in a

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comfortable position on his lap. Mister Thornton, the woman said,

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in a low voice, that man there has a device

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that is destined to earn tremendous rewards for its owners.

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Thornton glanced at the box on the man's lap with

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renewed interest. He asked that I cannot divulge at this time.

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If you are interested, I will have him explain in detail.

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It is his own invention, and naturally he is very

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jealous of his secrets. He will let no one into

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the secret unless there is a probability of their being interested.

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Like all inventors, she went on, he is in need

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of financial assistance. If he should show his device to you,

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now you would grasp the secret immediately. Our proposition is this,

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it will require a considerable amount of capital to float

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this thing properly. But when you once learn the secret,

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you will readily agree that it is the surest investment

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a man could possibly make. The question is not whether

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it is a sure or risk investment. There is no

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doubt of its feasibility, but a question solely of finances.

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It will take up considerable money, and we do not

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wish to take up your time or our own unless

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you are readily able to handle a proposition of this size.

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That would, of course depend entirely upon my own opinion

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of its merit. Thornton replied, mystified and curious to learn

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the nature of the device. Certainly, mister Thornton, the woman returned,

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we could hardly expect anyone to interest themselves in something

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they have no confidence in. But it is not a

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question of confidence. The moment you learn the secret, you'll

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agree with us that the potential rewards in it are tremendous. Now,

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granting that you are interested, would you be able to

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finance a proposition requiring a considerable sum of money. Could

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you lay your hands on, say, fifty thousand dollars cash

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at any moment, double that amount if the proposition is

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worth it, Thornton replied, now really anxious to learn more

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about the mysterious box on the stranger's lap. Good, the

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woman answered enthusiastically. She turned to the man who had

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accompanied her, mister Parker, will you demonstrate your device to

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mister Thornton. The man arose and stood by his chair

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as he fumbled with several small contrivances on the mysterious box.

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He made no effort to advance closer to Thornton's desk.

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The woman leaned closer to Thornton confidentially and whispered to him,

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he's suspicious of every one. He won't show you the

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complete details now, but you'll learn enough when you see

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it in operation. It will surprise you, I assure you.

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The man was facing directly toward Thornton as he fumbled

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in his pocket for an object, which he lay on

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top of the box. A false lid was raised, and

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Thornton could not see what the object was that the

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man placed on the box, for the upraised lid hid

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it from view. The man seemed to have trouble in

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working some of the mysterious parts, for he finally laid

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the box on the chair by his side to give

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him entire freedom of both hands. He bent down over

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the box for a few seconds while he worked with

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something behind the upraised lid. Suddenly, the woman at Thornton's

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side uttered a half smothered shriek and clasped her hands

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to her heart. Thornton turned quickly in alarm. The woman's

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eyes were widely dilated for a moment, as if in

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extreme agony. Then she suddenly slumped over in a faint.

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She would have fallen, but Thornton quickly reached out his

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arm and caught her. He supported her in his arm

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while he looked up at the man, gets some water quick,

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This woman has fainted. The man seemed to grasp the

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situation instantly, for he immediately turned and hurried forward the

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door leading to the outer office. As he did so,

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there was a sudden, blinding flash of light from the

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mysterious box on the chair. The events in the next

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few moments happened with dramatic rapidity. The man turned suddenly

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at the flash of light, grabbed the mysterious box and

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hurried out of the office. The unconscious woman in Thornton's

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arms suddenly revised, fixed her slightly disarrayed hat and gown,

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and arose to take her departure. She smiled amusedly at

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the thoroughly mystified and dumb struck Thornton. I thank you

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so much for the audience, mister Thornton, she smiled. But

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I do not want to take up any more of

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your time than is absolutely necessary. We'll return at this

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time tomorrow. The photograph photograph, Thornton repeated, the light of

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comprehension entering his eyes. Yes, provided, of course, that it

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proves to be a good one. If it should not

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turn out to be clear enough, we won't bother you again.

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Then that mysterious invention was a camera of the woman

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smiled mockingly. It seldom fails. We've taken some wonderfully good

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photographs with it. Convinced now that the woman's motives were ulterior,

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Thornton confronted her with the feeling of resentment at having

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been tricked so easily. I'm a busy man, miss Bender.

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Give me your proposition in as few words as possible,

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he said curtly. She seemed gallingly oblivious to his scorn.

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We expect to have a very good photograph of you,

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mister Thornton, with me in your arms. It's merely a

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question of who considers that photograph of greater value, you

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or missus Thornton. We consider it worth to you at

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least five thousand dollars. That shouldn't be a staggering sum

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to a man who can lay his hand on fifty

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thousand cash at any moment he desires. And suppose I

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don't consider it worth, or rather suppose I refuse to

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pay the blackmail, then of course I shall make the

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best bargain possible with missus Thornton. I'm giving you the

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first option. So generous of you, Thornton smiled scornfully. She

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seemed entirely unabashed, and stood waiting expectantly, as if never

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doubting the final acceptance of her offer. Thornton was interested

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in the woman's method. She seemed so confident in herself.

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Tell me, he said, interestedly, Is this an everyday occurrence

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with you? She smiled, reprovingly. Rich men are not so plentiful,

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mister Thornton. Besides, we must pick our time. I never

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take chances. I always make sure of my ground first.

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You will notice that I chose a time when you

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would be least likely to have any callers. But why

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all the rigmarole about the mysterious invention, he persisted, I

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can't seem to conquer my love of dramatics, mister Thornton,

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the woman replied, smiling sheepishly. I once followed the profession,

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you know, until I discovered there were greater returns in

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my present one. Besides, it is rather difficult to prepare

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to take a flashlight in a man's office without exciting

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his suspicion. The curtain covering the lens of the camera,

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you will recall, was not drawn back until the exact

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moment before the charge of powder was ignited. All a

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matter of mechanism, she explained, rather proudly. I suppose the

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returns are very gratifying, he queried, noticing a huge diamond

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on her finger. I have no complaint, she replied, not

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taking aback in the slightest. Sometimes it is rather embarrassing,

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but I try to cause as little trouble as possible.

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And is that part of your returns? Thornton asked, pointing

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to the stone on her finger, which was flashing brilliantly

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in the early morning sunlight. She gazed proudly at the diamond.

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Isn't it gorgeous? She said enthusiastically. Thornton knew enough of

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precious stones to realize that the ring must have cost

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several thousand dollars. The diamond was extraordinarily large and very

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fine cut. The woman turned suddenly to go, well, mister Thornton,

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I know you're a busy man, so I won't take

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up any more of your time today. If we have

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been unfortunate in our photography, we will not bother you again.

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If it comes up to our expectations, I shall return

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tomorrow at this time for your decision. Thornton bowed her out, admiring,

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in spite of himself, the woman's self possession and complete confidence.

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A few moments later, he rang for his secretary, anxious

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to get his day's mail off his mind so that

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he could give thought to the new problem that had

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thrust itself upon him. He waited a few moments and

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was surprised that Miss Armstrong was not as prompt as

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usual in answering. He looked into the outer office and

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found her at her desk, gazing dreamily out the window,

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apparently oblivious to her surroundings. He called her wonderingly. She

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rose with a start, and smiling, sheepishly followed him into

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his office. Day dreaming, he asked, smiling, Miss Armstrong laughed

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rather shamefacedly. Yes, and a very foolish thing to dream about.

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I was picturing myself wearing the ring worn by the

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lady who just left. It was beautiful, wasn't it, he conceded. Oh,

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it was wonderful, the secretary exclaimed, with beaming eyes. From

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the expression on the girl's face, Thornton could understand how

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some women sold their souls for less expensive baubles. Two promptly,

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at ten thirty the next morning, miss Bender called and

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was ushered immediately into Thornton's private office. Thornton nodded a

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pleasant greeting and offered her a chair. He noticed a

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large envelope in her hand and surmised that it contained

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the photograph. He glanced up at her expectantly. I have

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good news, mister Thornton, Bender smiled. That is good news

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if you look at it from my viewpoint. You succeeded

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in getting a good photograph. Excellent it could not be clearer.

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He found himself wondering why he was able to joke

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so pleasantly with this woman who had so easily tricked him,

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and then laughed at his stupidity. Now, would you mind

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giving me your proposition in detail? Miss There is nothing

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that I did not tell you yesterday, mister Thornton, she interrupted,

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I have the photograph here which my assistant took yesterday.

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It is a first class likeness of yourself holding me

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in your arms. I believe it should be worth at

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least five thousand dollars to you. If you don't agree

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with me, then I shall strike a bargain with missus

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Thornton for it. I'm sure it would interest her. And

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if I pay you this five thousand dollars, what is

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to prevent you from I'll give you the negative also,

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and my word of honor that I shall make no

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further attempt to use the incidents against you. Thornton smiled

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at the reference to her word of honor. You realize,

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I suppose, he said, slowly and with emphasis, that this

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is pure blackmail. Please don't use that word, mister Thornton.

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The woman returned mockingly. There are so many nicer ways

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of expressing it. Would you mind allowing me to see

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what I am asked to pay such a sum of

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money for, Thornton said, changing the subject abruptly. His visitor

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obligingly produced the photograph and handed it over. From the

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attitude of the two in the picture, it would certainly

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be conclusive evidence in any divorce court. Thornton gazed at

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it a few moments, smiled enigmatically, then turned to his

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desk and picked up a large envelope, placing the photograph in.

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He silently addressed the envelope and sealed it. His visitor

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sensed a trick, just a reminder, mister Thornton, that you

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haven't paid for the photograph yet, and another reminder that

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I still have the negative and can make as many

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duplicates as I choose. Thornton made no reply, but turned

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and faced the door leading to his outer office. Have

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you everything so far, miss Armstrong, he asked, without raising

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his voice. The woman turned quickly on her guard, but

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she saw no one. The man at the desk was

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evidently talking to the wall. She glanced hurriedly about the office,

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then turned and stared wonderingly at Thornton. Three short sharp

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knocks sounded on the outer door. Thornton smiled, you may

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cut the wires now, miss Armstrong, please, he said pleasantly.

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Two short knocks sounded on the door or in answer

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to his instructions. Thornton turned to his caller, Now, miss Bender,

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is it. I want to thank you for the photograph

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and compliment you on the excellence of the work. The

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woman's lips curled in contempt, and she laughed carelessly, evidently

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confident of herself. I must warn you again, mister Thornton,

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that I still have the negative. It's a matter of

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a few minutes to make a duplicate of that photograph.

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Thornton ignored her remark as he continued, I will admit

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that I consider the photograph easily worth the amount you ask,

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But as long as it is not necessary to purchase it,

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why should I. The woman arose, furious and prepared to

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make her departure. Just a moment, please, Thornton said quietly,

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I'll have to ask my secretary to unlock the door

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before you can go. The woman rushed angrily to the door,

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for she believed Thornton was bluffing. She tried the knob

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and found the door locked, She turned to the man

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at the desk with challenging eyes. Well, what's the game,

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she panted, her first doubt, beginning to assail her sense

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of security. Won't you sit down a few moments, Thornton said,

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smiling at her discomfiture. Miss Bender obeyed, then turned as

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if waiting for his next move. I think you told

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me your profession was a very well paid one, he began.

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His visitor glanced at him venomously and made no reply.

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Assuming that your words are true, I should think your

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liberty would be worth something to you. Miss Bender turned

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her face ugly in its mask of baffled rage. You

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can turn me over to the police, but a copy

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of the photograph will be in missus Thornton's hands tomorrow,

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she said furiously. My assistant will attend to that, and

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what I will swear to on the witness stand will

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be plenty. Thornton smiled at her anger. Somehow he felt

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a curious sense of pleasure in playing with her, as

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a cat does before eating the mouse it has caught.

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My secretary has taken down every word that has passed

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between us this morning, he resumed. He arose and pulled

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aside a large picture hanging on the wall. The woman

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turned and saw a dictaphone and knew the man was

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not bluffing. You realize I suppose that it is within

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my power too. Well, what's your proposition, the blackmailer demanded, impatiently.

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Thornton reached over and pointed to the ring on her finger.

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If you consider a half hour's work worth five thousand dollars,

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wouldn't you consider your liberty worth that ring? A woman

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seemed dumb struck at his words. Why it's preposterous, she exclaimed,

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seething with fury. That's according to the viewpoint you adopt.

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Thornton replied quietly, with a note of triumphant mockery in

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his voice. I'm busy, miss bender, but I'll grant you

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ten minutes to make your decision. Hand over that ring

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on your finger, and I'll give you your freedom and

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make no attempt at prosecution for your attempted blackmail. Otherwise

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I shall be compelled to telephone for the police. After

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a few minutes deliberation, the woman suddenly tore the ring

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from her finger and threw it angrily on his desk.

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An almost imperceptible sob escaped her lips. Thornton picked up

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the ring and placed it in his pocket. Before you go,

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miss Bender, I want to add to your disappointment by

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telling you that Missus Thornton would gladly have given you

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five thousand dollars for that photograph. That dictaphone you saw

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behind the picture was placed there by detectives in the

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employ of missus Thornton. She suspected that I was in

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love with my secretary. I pretended ignorance and allowed the

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instrument to remain. Though I knew of its presence from

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the beginning, it was an easy matter to run in

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another wire for my stenographer yesterday, in readiness for your return.

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He pressed the button on the desk and miss Armstrong

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unlocked the door and entered. He handed her the envelope

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containing the photograph. Will you please mail that for me

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at once, miss Armstrong, and register it please? The girl

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took the package and left the office. The woman took

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advantage of her opportunity and gained the safety of the

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outer office. She turned and glared evily at Thornton. Thornton,

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for your trickery, I'll reward you by telling you that

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Missus Thornton will receive a copy of that photograph in

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tomorrow morning's mail, which will particularly interest her, Thornton replied, smiling,

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as she will receive the original in this afternoon's mail.

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My secretary has just mailed it to her by registered mail.

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You mail that to your wife, the woman gasped, incredulously. Certainly,

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you see, miss Bender, a divorce is the best thing

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that could possibly be handed to both missus Thornton and myself.

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Our marriage is one that was never destined to last.

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It has survived this long only because of lack of

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sufficient grounds for divorce. And I would not think of

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bringing any unpleasant notoriety to any lady until you obligingly

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handed me what both missus Thornton and myself have been

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seeking for months. Good day, and thank you so much.

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The woman stormed out of the office, furious at the

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circumstances that had robbed her of the large sum she

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had expected, and nettled by the taunting mockery in her

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intended victim's voice. A few minutes later, Miss Armstrong returned.

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She handed her employer the postal receipt for the registered package.

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Got it off all right, he smiled, Yes, it will

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probably be delivered this afternoon. Good, he smiled, rather anxiously.

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He turned suddenly to the girl. Balance, What was it

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you were daydreaming over yesterday when you couldn't hear my

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ring for dictation? The girl gazed at him and smiling

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uncertainty for a moment, the incident not coming to her instantly.

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Oh about the ring that woman was wearing, she replied,

359
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laughing sheepishly. Well it was one daydream that came true,

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Thornton said. Reaching in his vest pocket, he withdrew his

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hand and placed the ring on her finger. The girl's

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eyes widened in astonishment as she stared at the sparkling

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stone in disbelief. Why it's just like the one that

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woman wore, she breathed in rapt admiration. The stone is

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fully as large. Yes, it does resemble it somewhat, doesn't it.

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Thornton smiled significantly. The end of Thornton Smiled Significantly by

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David Morrison