Evening Star Newspaper, March 4, 1929, Page 45

THE RAGGED PRINCESS By Edgar Wallace. {Continued from Yesterda: CHAPTER XVIIL HERE came to Audrey Bedford a letter in a strange handwriting. She tore open the envelope, ex- pecting no more than one of those artistic advertisement eards which come inevitably to a hotel guest. Instead she found a letter: “Dear Miss Bedford: You will be sur- prised to hear from one who is a stranger to you, but finding your name by chance in the register of the Palace, and thinking that I might be of some service to you, particularly in view of the monstrous miscarriage of justice to which you were a victim, I am writing to ask you if you will come and see me tomorrow evening at 7:30 at the above address. I think I can find vou con- genial employment; if you are not in need of that, to offer you at least the good offices of a disinterested friend. Bincerely, LACY MARSHALT. “P. 8—Will you send me a wire if you can come She puzzled over the letter all the morning. Lacy Marshalt's name was known to her. He belonged to that branch of the politico-social world whose names recur in the press. She sent a telegram before lunch announc- ing her acceptance of the invitation, after Jooking up his name in “Who's Who" and discovering that there was & Mrs. Marshalt. Mrs. Marshalt ap- peared in all works of reference, but here her tangibility ended. For 25 years she had been a most convenient invention. Early in his career Lacy had discovered that while the wealthy bachelor might be run after, certain complications followed his attempt to apportion his attentions equally. The ‘wealth of welcome which was his in one quarter was leveled down by the chill- ing politeness which greeted him else- where. “Mrs. Marshalt” came into ex- istence to his profit. No longer among the eligibles, he retained his place as an amusing companion and gained something in respectability. He never spoke of his wife; when other people made direct or oblique reference to her he smiled sadly. Without knowing more, the world decided that if there was an estrangement Mrs. Marshalt was to blame. Just before 7:30 a cab depesited Au- | €rey before the door of Lacy Marshalt's house and she was admitted by a neatly uniformed maid. She was wear- ing a simple black dinner frock that she had bought in Shaftesbury avenue, and, innocent of jewels as she was, there was something so regal in her rriage that Lacy Marshalt stared at h#r in amazement and admiration. She was infinitely more beautiful than he had thought. She, for her part, saw a hard-faced, distinguished-looking man, but, what wis more to the point, she saw no other guest, and the “Mrs. Marshalt” she ex- pected was equally invisible.* “You are Miss Bedford?> I am very @ad to meet you.” st He took her little hand in his and did not make the mistake of holding it a second longer than was necessary. “I hope you don't very much object |to a tete-a-tete dinner. I hate crowds. Twenty years ago, when I was younger, I disliked solitude ds intensely.” The subtle emphasis of his age had the effect of quieting the uneasiness in the giri’s mind. “It was very kind of you to ask me, Mr. Marshal she said with her quick smile. “It isn't everybody who would nt to meet a person with my record!” He shrugged his broad shoulders to indicate his indifference to the opinions of the world. “You were, of course, perfectly inno- cent,” he said. “Anybody but a con- genital idiot knew that. more, you were screening somebody.” He raised his hand. to ask you whom, but it was very pluckv of you, and I admire you. And I think I can help you, Miss Bedford. A friend of mine needs a secretary——" “I don't want you to think that I have no work,” she smiled. “I am, in fact, employed by a neighbor of yours, though I am not particularly happy about the work.” he asked And when she told him: “Malpas? I hadn't the slightest idea that he was human enough to employ anybody. What is he like? Forgive my curiosity, but I'm rather interested in the gentleman.” *“He is—not very pretty,” she said. A sense of loyalty made the discus- sion of her employer a little difficult, and, apparently recognizing her embar- rassment, he did not press his inquiry. “If you aren’t happy I think I can get you a position where you'll be_most comfortable,” he said. “In fact, I can almost promise you the post.” Just then dinner was announced and they passed out of the drawing room along the corridor through a second door that was opened and which cut off a section of the house into a small and elegantly furnished dining room. As they passed into the room Lacy stopped to speak to the servant in a low tone and Audrey heard the mur- mur of his voice, wondered—and feared. For a moment she was alone in the room. She looked up and caught a glimpse of her troubled face in the mir- ror over the mantel shelf. And then it occurred to her that she was looking at the wall which divided the room from the home of her mys- terious employer. Even as this thought came to her— “Tap, tap, tap! Somebody in the house of Malpas was wrapping on the wall— “Tap, tap, tap!" It sounded like a warning—yet how | could the old man know? | The first part of the meal passed off without any unusual incident. Her host was politeness itself, and when he | Copyright, 1925, by Chicago Daily News And, what is | “No, I'm not going | THE EVENING STAR., WASHINGTON, D. -C, MONDAY, MARCH 4, 1929. showed no denial in the matter; he drank liberally, without the wine seem- ing to have the slightest effect upon | him, though, when the third bottle of | champagne was uncorked by the wait- ,ing maid Aubrey began to feel a little | fee, and Lacy pushed a golden box to- | ward her. “Thank you, | smiled. “You have all the virtues, Miss Bed- ford,” he said gallantly. “Mr. Malpas | does not like you to smoke, probably?” “I have never consulted him,” she | replied. “What does he pay you a week?" She was on the point of answering the question when its cool imperiinence | came home to her. “The wage is not settled yet,” she sald. and looked at the clock on_the mantelpiece. “You won’t mind if I go early, Mr. Marshalt?” she said. ™ have some work to do.” The hand that held the big cigar waved impatiently. ““That can wait," he said. “I have a lot to say to you, young lady. I sup- pose you realize that your job with Malpas will not last forever? He's an eccentric old devil and the police are after him.” This was news to the girl, though she did not feel the surprise she showed. “I have reason to believe.” Marshalt went on slowly, “that the old man only, gave you this job in order to get ac-j quainted with you, and to have an op- portunity of studying you, with the idea of ‘a closer acquaintance.” | “Mr. Marshalt!” she cried indig- nantly, and came to her feet. | “We were talking as friends.” pleaded Marshalt. “I am trying to tell you all I know—" “You have invented that! You don't even know Mr. Malpas; you practically told me so just now.” He smiled. “I have access to information,” he said_cryptically, “which puts me be- yond the possibility of error. Please sit down, Miss ford.” “I must go,” she said. “Wait a little Jonger. 1 wanted to talk this matter over with you, and 9 o'clock isn't so very late, you know,” he_laughed. She sat down again reluctantly. “I've known you for longer than you can guess. I knew you before this irouble came to you. You probably don’t remember seeing me at Fontwell? And it is true that not a day has passed that vou have been absent from my thoughts. Audrey, I am very fond of you.” She rose, this time in less haste, and | he followed her example. | “I can make i‘fe very smooth for you, | my dear,” he said. | “I prefer a harder road,” she| answered with quiet dignity. and moved toward the door. | I don't smoke,” she learned that she did not drink wine he filled her glass with water. He himself Her bighness—the Baby—bolds ¥ 5 “One moment.” he begged “You are waisting your time, Mr. court on the bome. porch of the Doerres = . o Family without sickness for years....mother tells secret “I’m so grateful to LIFEBUOY and its wonderful antiseptic lather,” says Mrs. J. H. "I'M so grateful to Lifebuoy for the way sickness out of my home, I feel I owe it 2 word of praise. A doctor hasn’t visited us in years. I havefourchildren—allsohealthy thatother mothers have told me they envy me.I natur- ally attribute a great deal of their robust it helps me keep Doerres, As a carcful health to my care in guarde ing against germs. “Inplay as well asin other daily tasks, our hands wery apttopick up germs and 'm into the mouth. s i whenLifcbuoy’s mild. apd abundantantiseptic latherse- moves germs? Keeps skin fresh and clear, too, prevents win- ter chapping. are it's one health rule we all observe in this home—wash- up with Lifebuoy right after work or play and again fore eating. I'm surc this habit of removing germs saved us many a sick day. «Lifebuoy is so clean- smelling, it makes one $0 clean and refreshed that —Mrs. J.H. Docrres, 3920 FillmoreSt., weallenjoyusing i S0, Louis, Ma. LIF Removes be- has Lifebuoy’s clean scent which tells you it feel “Qur smartest salute to Lifgbuay,” say Dorothy and Caroline Doerres. They know bow well it guards bealth. EBU EALTH SOA your family such an cffective means of health protection? It's a simple safeguard —yet very important. For hands can't escape germs. Every day we must touch things which others may have left germ- laden—such as telephones, money, car- straps. The Life Extension Institute lists 27 germ diseases that hands may spread. with some toilet soa? way, sowhy notuse Life which gives added healt rinse. Adopt Lifebuoy asyour regular toilet soap today. Mrs. Doerres is only one of millions of mothers who know this simple Lifebuoy way to guard family health. Her interest- ing letter is typical of many written us. A safeguard your family needs mother, could you deny Why, then, take chances Your family has to wash in)" buo -otection—at N0 €Xtra cost, ou’ll quickly learn to love leasant extra- purifics. It vanishes as you LEVER BROTHERS CO., Cambridge, Ma. 0 P Germs ~Protects Health Marshalt,” she said coldly. “I very dimly understand your proposal, and I can only hope that I am mistaken. I very foolishly came here because I thought you were a gentleman who really was anxious to help one who has suffered—unjustly, as you suggested.” And then his tone altered. “You came here because I sent for you,” he said, “and nobody in their senses will suggest that I am dining te_(ltl:—l'tew with you against your own will.” She eyed him gravely. “You seem to forget that your wrote me a letter, and that letter—," she stopped. “Is in your handbag.” “No, my dear young lad. be sensible. he smiled. shut off from the rest of the premises, and only one privileged per- son has the key. If you're a sensible girl, you will be that privileged person.” | She ran into the passage. The door leading to the entrance hall was closed. She pushed at the handle, but it did not budge. In another secowd his arm was around her, and; lifting her as though she were a child, he carried her, struggling, back to the little din- ing_room. With all her strength she beat at the face pressed down to hers, and, with a superhuman effort, flung herself free. Her eyes fell upon a sharp-pointed 1| carving knife that lay upon the buf- fet, and snatching it up, she stood at bay. “I will kill you if you touch me!” she said breathlessly. “Open that door!” At heart Lacy Marshalt was a cow- ard and before the threat of the knife he drew back. “For God's sake, don't be a fool!" he cried. “I—I only want to help you.” For Sale at All Great Atlantic you've got to | And don't, please, try to | | uneasy. The sweets came and the cof- %o, because this portion of the house “Open the door!” He fumbled in his pocket at his key chain and pulled out a bunch. She | heard the click of the lock turning and | went out, passing him quickly as he | stood with the door in his hand. Be- | yond was the dimly lit passage. | " “will you forgive me?” he whispered. | she made no reply, but swept past | him, dropping the knife on the carpet. “To the right,” be whispered, as if | giving her directions. Cbeying him, she. turned into a nar- row passage, though her instinct and | | her memory told her that the way to ! safety lay straight ahead. Before she realized her danger he was behind her. Only a second she hesitated and then fled down the narrow corridor. At the end was a flight of stairs and up these she flew, the man in pursuit. In ab- solute darkness she was climbing what was evidently a servants’ stairway. How many flights she traveled in her terror she did not know. Suddenly she stopped; the footsteps were no longer following her. Above her head was a skylight, out of reach. There was nothing to do but to retrace her steps and stealthily she walked down the carpeted stairs. She had reached the Janding below when she heard a thin wail of sound, the sound of a weman sobbing. The acoustic properties of the stair- way were such that she could not iocate the sound. It might come from under- neath, from above; it might be pene- trating the partition wall which sepa- rated her from the next house—the house of Mr. Malpas She listened intently. The sobbing died to a low weil and then was silent. Only for a moment was her attention distracted from her own imminent peril. There was no sound or sign of Lacy Marshalt and she descended a second use It's all be & Pacific Tea Company Stores and Your Independent Dealer flight, peering nervously into the dark- ness to which her eyes had now grown so used that she was able to see dis- | tinctly. She came to the floor where the little dining room was situated and to the narrow hall, beyond the entrance to which lay freedom. Still no sign of Lacy. = And then, as she stepped cautiously into the corridor, a hand came around her waist, another covered her mouth; she was carried bodily back to the din- m and the door clicked benind her. “Now, my little jailbird!” Lacy Mar- shalt’s voice was tremulous with tri- umph. “Yon and I will have an intel- ligent talk!" He thrust her down into a deep arm- | chair and she sat, disheveled, breath- | less, her unflinching eyes never leaving his face. “If my servants had not strict orders | to confine themselves to the servants’ hall there would have been the begia- | nings of a scandal. Are you going to see my point of view? If I'd known what a little wildcat I was going to en- tertain I should have had a chaperon,” he said. humorously. He poured out a glass of wine and pushed it to her. “Drink this,” he ordered. ©On the point of coilapse, she felt her strength snpgmg from her and, risking everything, she drank the wine greedily. “Il's not drugged; you needn't look at it twice,” he said. ‘“Audrey, are you golng to be a good girl? I want vou, ray dear. You're the one woman in the Lo | world that I have ever wanted, and I never realized that fact until tonight. 1 can give you everything that heart can desire—money beyond your dreams——"" “You're wasting your time now, Mr. Marshalt,” she said. The wine had steadied her, had given her a new strength. “I won't tell you how greaily vou have insulted me; such words wou be empty and meaningless to you. I'm going back *o the hotel and I shall call up Capt. Shannon and tell him what has happened.” He laughed. “In other words. you're going to fetch a policeman! Well, that is a very old- fashioned kind of threat which doesn't frighten me. Shanncn’s 2 man of the world: he knows that I wouldn't invite a lady from Holloway to dine with me | unless—well, use your intelligence, my child. And he knows that you wonldn't accept unless you expected to be made ve to. You think I'm a brute, but the caveman methed saves a lot of time and a lot of stupid preliminaries. Generally speaking, women prefer it to all others.” “Your kind of woman may, but I am not your kind,” she said. “You are!" he said in a low voice. “You are not only my kind, but you are all women to me—the very quintessence of womanhood!” He stooped and lifted her up, his strong arms about her, one hand behind her head, and she gazed in horrified fascination into the deeps of his black soul. Only for a second, then his lips were pressed to hers. She was helples d | as the door opened slowly. 31 — e consciousness was slipping from her: life, and all that made life, was going out to the drum beats of her broken heart, when she was faintly conscious of a movement at the lock; somebody was fitting a kev. He heard it, too, and, re- leasing her so cuddenly that she dropped to her knees on the floor, spun around A woman in black was standing there, her brooding eyes looking from the man to the dis- heveled girl on_the floor. It was Dora Elton, and Audrey, look- ing up, saw the hate in her sister's eyes and shivered. (To Be Continud® Tomorrow.) Sy e England Notes Torrey Death. ‘With the announcement of the death in this country of Dr. Reuben Torrey, the American evangelist, many expres- sions of grief were expressed in Fig- land. Newspapers gave accounts «f his successful campaign in that country 25 years ago, where it is estimated that he secured 95,000 converts to Christianity. 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