The evening world. Newspaper, June 6, 1914, Page 9

2 _ out of town. (Gears, WU, wy Germ B, Doren Oo.) OF PREOMMNG ONAPTERS. arer, SEE ie dout Cee CHAPTER XXI. (Continued,) 6 GUESSED somethti what had happened,” he went on, as the car turned off down Aldgate. “I knew Mercia bad heard San- tte mentioned in court as being one of the principal witnesses for the police, and it struck me at onoe that he'd probably used this fact to get her to come and see him. Nothing but the Idea of helping you would have taken her to his house—I felt sure of that. The thing to find out, of cou was what par- ticular dirty game he was trying to play, 1 chewed it over for a minut and then it seemed to me that the best thing to do was to go to his house and see when he was expected buck. Wilton agreed with me, s0 we jumped into the cab and ran down to Belgrave Square. His butler an- Bwered the door—a white-faced, cun- ning looking sort of skunk—and when more at first—declared that he ‘didn't know where bis lordship was or which day he ‘utended to return,’ and when I pressed him a bit he was half inclined to be cheeky. I saw the only way was to bribe him. “He looked like the sort of man who'd well his mother, so 1 told him straight out it would be worth @ tonner to him if I could find Sangatte With that he I suppose he fter and that 1 couldn't afford to break hls neck—anyway, he stuck out for a ‘pony, and of course I had to give it him. Thon [ got the truth—at Jeast, I. think so. Sangatte, he sald, had gone off yachting for three or four days and my only possible chance of catching him was at Burn- hham-on-Crouch, where bis boat was I interrupted, rather des- “do you mean that Mercia peratel is alone on board with that brute Billy laid his hand on my arm. “vhey're only two hours ahead of us, “and it takes some vil's trick can mt out. 2d Mercia to he have played to get ham? She knows”— Barve my belief,” interrupted Billy, “that she bad no idea the car was going there. Suppose he got her round to the bouse on the pretense of giving evidence about you, and then offered to drive her down to the court. It's only an idea, of course, but it's in keeping with what one knows about Sangatte, and it fite In with the facts, Once in the car, It would be impossible for her to escape until the ot to Burnham; and what could a girl do then against two or three men? No doubt Sangatte’s certain of his own crew.” ‘With a oitter oath I brought down my clenched fist on the side of the car. “If you're right, Billy," I sald slowly, “I'll make Sangette sorry he wae born.” | There was a short allence as oar. awung on through the dr urlieus of Stratford at a pace which Brought belated shouts and curses from the carmen and hawkers that we left behind. I sald, staring out of us, "Talk to me, for . or T shall go mad. Tell you got hold of the car.” ‘Hired it,” said Billy, "I saw at ee if this butler skunk was speak- the truth the only thing to do to make a run for Burnbam.” PPhrough Romford and Brentwood ®e car sped on, the driver, who Yiaw. something of the extreme @gency of our journey, letting out ste powerful engine to the full ex- fit he dared, Every minute of the tal three miles the torture of eus- fanse became worse. I could eee eilly felt the atrain almost as much aa I did, His mouth set more grimly than ever, and we sat there aide eide staring out silently to- ‘waré our approaching goal. At last we were in the village. Searcely alackening our pace, we hurried he long main atreet with Mless of his tires, the driver led with a jerk, and in a mo- fat Billy ‘and I were out of the car, An old longshoreman in blue fersey, who had been leaning over the railings etaring down at the tossing collection of boats and yachts be- low, looked round with slow eur- prise at our abrupt appearance. "I walked toward him, followed by you tell me,” I asked, quietly, ‘whether the Seagull has sailed?" ‘He turned toward the broad estu- e@ry_and, shading his eyes with his ‘Band, stared out to sea. “There she be,” be sald at last, ‘pointing down the river. as maa —_—— dete ere PVE ae ~ ‘With « horrible sinking sensation at my heart 1 followed the line of his finger. About a mile out a smart- Joo! vessel of perhaps a hundred and fifty tons was running swiftly seaward before the fresh westerly ne. “That's ‘er right enough,” said the old man. “Put out ‘bout one o'clock she did. The owner come down in a moty-car—same as you gentiemen.” “Was he alone?” I asked, still hop- ing faintly that we might be mis- taken. The old man shook: his head. ‘ad a young lady with ‘im—but ill she seemed, too, 1 see'd ‘in ‘elping ‘er to the boat.” 1 think I knew then what natives when they talk about “secing red. Before I could crush back my fury sufficiently to speak Bil! broke there barbor?" he cried. Important letter for the owner, and “We've got money's no object if before she gets to sea.” ‘The man removed his cap and scratched bis head with maddening deliberation, “There ain't no sailing boat in Burn- bam as'll overtake her now," he ob- served slowly. ‘That's the only craft could do it—that there petrol junch what come in this morning.” He pointed down to @ rakish-look- ing littie decked-in v which was bobbing about on the tide just below where we were standing. “Who does it belong tot I de- manded sharply. “Weill, | don’t know—not in a man- ner of speaking,” drawled t! old ‘A atout, youngish gen'l'man you're wanting to see bi not you'll pick ‘im up He turned to point to the building in question, and then gave a sudden exclamation, “Why, there be the gen'l'man ‘isself, sir, over by the lamppost there. I looked up and my heart gave a sudden jump. In the square-shoul- dered, pleasant-faced man strolling slowly along the quay I recognized an old acquaintance. It was Cum- the story writer, a man whom met in the Bull Hotel when I ying at Ashton. « out stopping to explain to Bil- ly, I strode quickly across the road to meet him. He recognized me at once and raised his band In greeting. “Mr, Cummin, I said, “will you do me a good tu “What is It?" he asked quietly. I turned and pointed to the Sea- gull. “The woman | love is on board that boat,” 1 sald hoarsely. “She has been drugged and carried off by Lord Sangatte. There's just one chance of catching them—your petrol launch. If you could get us up alongside we'd do the rest. [don't know how many men he has on board, but there are three of us, and’ “Oh, but this is delightful!” he he added said. Then, seeing my face, politely: didn't mean that, of course; but I've been spending years writing about abductions and murdel and things of tht sort, and this fst first real adventure I've ever been mixed up tn.” can catch her “And you'll take us?” T erted. “Take you!” he echoed. “Good Lord —rather! iss such @ I wouldn't chance for the world.” Billy, who had come up in time to catch the last remark, clapped bim unceremoniously on the shoulder. i ow who you are, my son “but you're a man, and the breed's rare. Shake.” Cumming, who seemed to under stand Pilly at once, smilingly gripped hands, and the next minute we were all (hres hurrying toward the steps which led down to the water, Leav- ing the car, Wilton and the chauffour came running along the quay to join us “Got room for me, guy'nor?” in- quired the latter anxiously. “What about the car?” T asked, as Cumming, jumping into a. dinghy, astily pulled out the sculls from un- der the seat. He erinned cheerfully. right, sir. I've given the old boy si bob fo look after her.” “Come on, then," the better.” And wit! more time we all fl the boat. ‘A fow strokes brought as alongside “Car's all ° T said: “the more ut wasting any crambled tnto the launch, to which we rapidly transferred ourselves. Cumming at once squatted down in .ront of the motor and began to play with the levers and switches, while the rest of us distributed our weight about the little craft in the most even fashion possible. hall T steer her out for you, sir?” asked the chauffeur, “I've done @ bit of this work over In France.” Cumming nodded his consent, and as the man aripped the tiller be started up the engine. The next mo- ment we were swiftly threshing our way through the crowd of anehored vessels towards the centre of the estuary. Directly we were fairly under way, and the engine was running with proper smoothness, Cumming scram- bled to hig feet and took over the charge of the boat “She can do twenty easy,” he ob- served, with a satisfied chuckle; “we shall be up to them before they're pest the sands.” Then he paused. ‘What's the programme?” he added “Flail them, or run up alongside and jump?" “Can you take her In as close as that?” I asked. “T could t he re- plied cheerfu!! enough water, The only thing Js, can you chaps get on board?” Billy laughed grimly. "Some of ua will,” he said, “and the others can swim. With a white curve of water foain- ing away from either bow, the little vessel ran on down the centre of the river. Far ahead of us, beautiful Picture in the cloudless afternoon Bunahine, the Seagull swept forward on her way towards the sea. Crouched In the bows, I stared silent- ly out over the long gray stretch of intervening water, which every min- ute was perceptibly lessening in dis- tance. Billy, who had been rummaging in the tool-chest, which Cumming had pointed out to him, crept forward and held out a heavy steel bar. “Here you are, Jack," he sald. A ROMANCE THAT IS FAR STRANGER AND MORE EXCITING THAN ‘TARZAN,’ BY THE SAME WRITER, The Evening World Daily IN ANOTHER MAN’S S RNIRIRI RIERA) STINTS ore ye, ' “You freeze on to this, I've got & gun,” I took the short but deadly iittl on and thrust it into my s| pocket. I felt somehow that my fists would be alb that [ should want, “Billy,” I said, “if we abould both get on board together, leave Sangatte to me." He nodded. “That'll be all right,” he replied, "There'll be quite enough fun for me with the rest of the crew; you shall have hiv lordship all to yourself.” Then he paused and looked out at the stern of the Seagull, now no more than # half a mile distunt. “Don't you think, Jack,” he ad “that you'd better go down into the cabin, just in caso Sangatte’s on the watch? If he spotted you, he'd guoss wh ineant mischief at once, and we might find it a bit of a Job to got un board. You can pop out as we run alongside.” Billy's suggestion was so obviously & sensible one that although [ was Toth te quit the deck, L tmmediatery adopted St. It would never do for Atte to see mo in the bout, for 10 Heasull atood so much higher out ot the water than our own craft that our ing ber was to prise. So into the cabin I went, where I found the impassive Wilton, who seemed to consider the whole busi- ness as part of his ordinary day's work, stretched out peacefully on the bunk, He sat up as I c: yond exchanging a ¢ led in; but be- upie of remarks as to the quickness with which we we were overtaking our quarry, neither of us made any at conversation. I was in too state of suspense to talk; while Wil- ton, I should think, was @ naturally taciturn person, even for a detective. Anyhow, We sat there in silence, lis- tening to the throbbing of the e gine and the ceaseless swish of the water as it raced past the side of the boat How long our vigil lasted T can’t say. It was broken at last by the appearance of Billy, who dropped down into the little well outside the cabin and thrust his head in through the door, “We're Just coming up alongside of ‘em,” he said, In a tone of quiet satis- faction, “There are three men on deck, but they don’t seem to suspect anything.” “Sangatte? I asked eagerly. He shook his head, “No sign of him or Mercia; they must be down below." " I rose to my feet, followed by Wil- on. “We three are to make the first abot,” went on Billy, “Cumming's going to run her alongside suddenly, and we must jump for the rails, One ought to be just able to do it from the cabin top." “And then?" I asked; for 1 knew Billy would have planned the whole thing out. He tapped his pistol porket with » contented emile, “Then it will be up to me to keep order on deck while you and Wilton go below and rout out Mercia, The chauffeur's staying in the boat. He wanted to stick to us, but we must have some one to help Cumming,” He swung himself out of the well on to the narrow deck. and Wilton and I followed sult. We were run- ning level with the Seagull at a dis- tance of about thirty yards. The three men on her deck were not pay- ing much attention to us, Ono of them was stecrine—the other two busy attending to the coiling of some loose rope, At the tiller of our own boat eat Cummine eclaarette in his mouth, and his eyes fixed Inne cently on the water ahead Suddenly and without shifting his gare he eave a auick, faint little whistle, Billy and T and Wilton leaped on to the cabin top, and at the same Instant the Inunch swerved In ward toward the Senmull like a waa sel darting on a rabbit. T heard a ery of dismay and surprise from the man who was steering as he shoved down bis helm in a frantic effort t avold a collision, At the very last moment, just when the erash seamed inevitable, Cumming again swerved. and as he did so we all threa made one frantic jump for the Seagull’s rafls. |) (NEXT WEER’S COMPLETE NOVEE *}* J“ IN THE EVENING WORLD == * HOES - Pe Cd forward, her d face as white as death, but her eyes shining proudly and serenely. “There is no need to kill him,” abe You are always in time.” With a low, happy cry I caught her to my heart, and, all blood- stained as IT was, she put her arma round me and pressed her lips to mine, CHAPTER XXII. T was the sudden stamping of feet and the sound of blows outaide that abruptly terminated our embrace. 1 darted to the door, where I found the faithful Wilton, armed with a heavy boat-spanner, vigorously opposing the attempted advance of two of Sangatte'’s crew. At eight of me—I must have been a horrible looking object—their cour- age seemed to falter, ewinging back my siphon, I leaped forward to the attack. It was too much for the enemy. However strong their affection for they had apparently emerged 1 heard Billy's votce shouting my name from the deck. 1 stepped back into the cabin. “Time to go, Mercia,’ I sald, hold- tng out my hand Bhe slipped her soft litte fingers into mine, and as she did eo Sangatte, who had not moved since he had fallen, raised himself with ao »fort on to bis elbow. “Curse youl" he whispered thickly. “I'l be eves with you for this—curse you both!" Then, with @ groan, be sank back again on to the floor. Our departure from the distinctly more ceremonious t! By aid of persuasive re- d apparently induced vessel to strike sail, 1 missed with my left hand, and my other arm eeemed to almost wrenched from its socket with the shock, 1 clung on, though, and the next moment, soaked and haif-blind- ed with spray, I was acrambling on to the deck. A ewift glance round showed me that both Billy and Wilton had been equally successful. The three detention Mere aluste of acearaiyaed. apparently, at the @ud~ Th “the” bows, watoblng Billy with enness of our’ o men who had been coiling the rope anything but an affectionate expres: made no attempt to atop us un! Gack basa ko trem the sion. eeee eae on keane, Then bk cciecuetee cerca to find ourselves rocking idly on ¢ bosom of the tide, with Cumming’s smart little motor bobbing elon Hed out Teaped for the companionway, they 06, ding the jen ped fora forward with a volley of somes with Wilton guarding questions and oaths, Only one of “nig enank you, Billy,” I eald. “T'a them reached me in time, and he quite finisbed.” got a smack in the Jaw for bla DADs ” Hig stepped forward to shake handy that sent him spinning againat tho with Mercia, “And how's our bost?” rails, At the same moment Billy’e voice, backed doubtless by re- volver, rang out in a sharp command, and the other stopped short and Gung up his hands, Without waiting for any further developments, 1 dropped down the companion, clearing the short ladder with one jump. There was a door in front of me—a white cabin door with brass fittings. I seized the han- die and flung it savagely open just as Wilton’s figure appeared in the opening abov Do you he inquired. “Our. host,” I replied, patched , will probably taken for Senor Guares. Billy nodded bis head always @ 4 hand at scatt keepsakes,” eee the side of ¢! face, appearing over yacht, inquired with some pathos wha time we should want the cab, “] suppose we must tear ourselves away,” said Billy reluctantly. “It's ture of “The Startled Robber” in A ne ‘ Hovath’s “wo Apprentices? It Sangattes got—wnhen they're properly flashed into my mind then as, pale MAO | 11. nandsome compliment, with amazement, terror and rage, 4, te eyed no particular signs Sangette started ‘up at my entrance, the crew portly Petotey He had evidently been sitting at the Of regret at Sun Genet nile 1 table, amoking and drinking, for there watched with sullen Hor Pay SUR wore a bottle of brandy and @ half- lowered Mercia into the hands of Sat emyty siphon in front of him, and the bord one Ld Hap fll air was thick with the fumes of hie after er, | Then. Tire we backed cigar, pe Tia same glance that revealed his slowly astern until there was suffic glaring, terrified eyes also showed room to swing her round to ae the Mercia, She was on the sofa at Shore. A moment later we were rat the further end of the cabin, crouch- back against the wind and tide, while ing against the wall like some beau. behind us the Seagull atill drifted idly tiful, desperate animal at bay. At the down, the eee of She ESA Sacto Mo ee oe tee litrday and ahe tions showed us that Billy had poem Joy too wonderful for words, and sho ton sprang to her fest, crying out quite right In his surmises as to “when he's be mis- my name. Morcia’s adventure. By 8, shaverty- . . worded nting e o PN CNG ed a wolf, I flung my: prepared to give vidence on my be: 0 Beil \ neat ad induced her to Ho seized the bottle of brandy by halt, Sanwalse, not iat bis house. the neck and struck at me wildly as IT camo in. I dashed tt aside with Here, after expressing himself us be- ing convinced of my innocence, ha my left arm, and the broken glass i and lquor showered over us both, Nad offered to drive eer down. tp ins ‘The next moment, locked in each ie, suspecting i other's arms, we swayed clear of tho had readily assonted table and crashed heavily against the opposite wall of the cabin. He was a powerful man, nearly a9 big as myself, and fighting with the fury of absolute terror; but his strength was aa nothing against my own rage. Freeing my right arm with a desperate wrench, { drove my fist full in his face, and I felt the bone and cartilage yleld under my knuckles’ as if they had been made of crisp wafer. He clutched me by the throat, but at that smashing blow le limousine, {t had been hopeless to try and escape until Burnham was reached, and then, just before the car drew up, Sangatte had thruat a handkerchief soaked in chloroform over her face, which had rendered ber practically unconscious until she was safely in the ship's boat. That was the only actual violence she had suffered from. Once on board, Sangatte, who possessed an abnormal opinion as to bis own fas- cinattons, had adopted the role of the his grip relaxed and a horrible, stifled {mpassionate, half-repentant lover, cry burst from his Itps. With @ 8+ whose emotions had run away with preme effort [ lifted him clear off him, I suppose be had thought that his feet and flung him full length On his own charms, combined with the the cabin floor, hopelessly compromising position in There came a long-drawn, gasp- which Mercia was placed, would be Ing sigh from Mercia, "A-ah!" a suMclently strong combination to T looked up, my chest heaving, my effect his purpose. Anyhow, he had face and clothes soaked in biood and been elving this Ingenious system a brandy. fair trial when Fate and my right hull I kill him?’ I asked quietly. fist had so unexpectedly intervened. Are You Going Away for the Summer? When you go out of town for the summer you may find It ts difficult and costly to provide yourself with the right sort of reading matter. Why send to the city 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 summer months you will secure a complete novel each week. Not some old book a Country dealer has not been able to sell, net 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 the summer in the country. Magazine, Saturday. J “Come on, Wilton!” I yelled, and, >*! our “if "They 4 =[ Complete Novel Each Week in The Evening Worl [= story, whispe hrobbed our way Billy and | tol briefly as possible of the amazing sequence of events which had led up to our arrival on board, The aston- ished Cumming, who now for the frat time realised our identity, lis- tened with such spell-bound attention that on two occasions he as nearly as possible ran us on to the shallows, “Well, I'm blessed!" ho gasped when I'd finished, "Do you mean to say you're Burton—the Burton * 1 was only reading your case while was at lunch, and thinking bow much I'd like to meet you.” "Well, yo done it all right,” laughed Billy; wilish lucky for us, too.” “But, good Lord, what @ yarn!” went on Cumming, looking with a kind of curious admiration first at me, and then back at Billy and Mercia. “It knocks apots off my woolliest ef- forte, and that's saying something. And to think of my being in at the death, too! It's enough to make Op- u blue with envy.” “Come up to town with us and see i through,” 1 suggested. “They've turned down a8 @ murderer tt’ true, but there are all sorts of pleasant porsibilities it Leeeni | about IT shall probably be arrested for steuling Northcote’s ten thousand as soon as sald Billy, smiling at can at least promise you added, “if 1 happen to rup across Mau- rice.” “I'd love to,” said Cumming, steer- ing use deftly in toward the quay through the crowd of anchored boats. “All the same } think I'll rup this lit. te jigger round to Maldon frst It would be just as well to get her out of Burnham in case your pal, Lord San- watts, pute back here for plaster. I ought to go up to town to-morrow In any case, go if you'll give me your ad- dress I'll roll round and pay my re- apec' “Do!” I eaid heartily, as he left us; not in Bow street you'll find Lammersfierd House, Park reget, my son,” interrupted my. t doesn't belong to you now,” “Yea, it does,” I said fri gave my promise to Northcote and 'm not going to shift out of it until the three weeks are up.” “Good,” said Billy. “We ought to a fun with the heir, who- ever he is.” turned off round the corner of the quay, stopping the post-office to send @ wire to Gordon. ~ tid 700 mata Westar Palace Tete 8. “It's juat opposite to the House of F Commons,” I pointed out to Billy, “so he'll be able to run across even if he's ™ busy, I'm dying to know what hap- pened after we left.” “Ww 'm dying for ts some food,” remarked Billy, as we came out again to the car, ‘I expect Miss Solano very hungr: till we get back “Just as you like,’ “I could do a chop, though—by Jo I could!” “Jump in, William,” I said. ‘We'll all have the best dinner in London to- night—unleas we're in jail, It was just a quarter past five by Big Ben aa we swung round the cor- ner of Parliament and drew up out- side the Westminster Palace Hotel. It was then that, putting my hand in my pocket, I came acrosa Lady Baradell’s note. Although, to tell the truth, I had forgotten all about it In my somewhat strenuous employment since its arrival, not without a certain pleasant curt- onity an to what It might contain Cathet » ps3 T don't th ga Rowand Ly vd With alittle sigh over Nature's well-intentioned, {f iMl-adjusted, of- forts, I took out a match and set fire to the béttom corner of the note, “What are you burning?” asked BI Iily, “Only « little bit of the past,” I aid, aadly. We went to the altting-room I had engaged, where tea was already lald, Deepite all Mercia had been through, she looked radiantly lovely, ‘There was a knock at the door, a walter entering announced ‘Mais- talre Gordon.” fleak and debonaire as ever my rallant defender followed hard upon his heels. “Don't trouble to explain anything,” he sald, shaking hands all around “I've got only ten minutes, and I've already heard full details about the piracy, of which, by the way, 1 thoroughly approve. IT met Wilton tn hall.” wondored what had happened to * T remarked. “We were @x- him. pecting him up here to tea.” hook his hand. “You won't “Wilton bas soma. tive, Gordon got him,” he said. intelligence as a private 4 hut ontside his business he's a miracle of shyness and stupidity.” ‘Then he siniled in his quiet, fatigued way. “He asked me to congratulate you, how- | ever.” “Congratulate mal’ I echoed “What about?” rdon accepted the cup of ten him. "About “he drawled ood deal mo an tind at him in franic nishment i 1 round at us Jer bis curiou miling heavily You remember the excellent adyicr given to us in the Gospels, Mr. Bur t to ‘make friends ut oof naumanon of Uurighteousness’ ? | you appear to have been doing it unawares-that's all. Those papers which the amazing Mr. Milford sprang on us in court—the ones ad dressed to Horsfall, 1 mean were Northeote’s confession aly bis will He bas thing.’ T Jumped up from my chair ! Lerted, “Are you jokin Gordon shook his head. 1 joke outside the House of Comm Hut why on earth” Tb ‘As far as | can make out,’ terrupted, “our deceased never ne. he in “AT THE EARTH’S CORE (|: By EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS, Author of “Tarzan of the Ape une 6.1914 SOIEDEOAL IHRE LTE NRE. I opened it now ,, aq % friend's surp: The Book mind worked in this way. It was rather more than possible, of course, that you would be ki before the threo weeks were up, in which case all Prado's land property, which he bad been unable to sell, would have gone to Maurice Furnivall, as the next of kin. This he was determined to pre- vent, for by then he seems to have quite made up his mind that it was Furnivall who'd given him away. Io wrote out @ full statement of how affairs really stood, and rent it to Horsfall with a note that it waa only to be opensd in the event of bia death, As this statement claimed that be was still alive, and afforded pretty good proof of the fact, It would bave been quite suificient to bang up the settlement until be found it safe to reappear, or, at al events, to communicate with the court.” “Hut the will," I broke In, “the wir’ “Ab! gaid Gordon, “Like many robust scoundreia, I think that Mr. Prado was @ bit of @ fatallat. Al- though apparently he'd got off 0 neatly, I believe he had some sort of fooling that bis daye were numbered. Ho practically hints as much in bis will, which he tells Horstail he bad drawn up in case ‘all his excellent recautions should prove useless.’ He y thin) he puts it, ‘of your Failing that, the as surviving bim.’ q cheerfully. “If be finds bimself bard up, the testator advises bim to com- municate with San Lu I should think It was the only joke Prado ever — “But will it bold in law? pi... old good aw 1 Gordon shrugged bis shoulders. “T think so,” he sald, “It's a little irre- ular, of course, but there's no one to fight it except Furnivall, and un- eae fool, he'll ie devilish quiet. I've quite enough evidence to ask for hia arrest for conspiring to murder you at Woodford. That reminds me, by the way. You're not likely to be troubled with your South American friends again for a little while—they ; | can have them collared the other side, if course; but, on the {t beat to let them go. I nodded my approval “We mins them,” I said, “shan't ‘toh, “I'm due to speak at five forty-five, and n to six now.’ hastily picked up his hat and gloves. “Goodby,” he added, sh hands all round. “Come and see at my chambers at ten-thirty to- morrow, and we'll straighten things out a litth Till them"—his eyes twinkle ell, try and keep out of mischief as much as possible.” thousand pounds! = ex. Billy, as the door cloned be- hind him.” Good Lord! Give some more tea; I feal quite giddy. Mercia poured him out another which he gulped down in silence, 8 ‘the House ‘Ifty thousand pound: T repeat- ed. “It's a sobering aum, tan’t it?” “Sobering!" gasped Billy. “It's— it's a" Words failed him completely. “Well, come along,” 1 naid, Jumping up from my chi Let's got back to Park Lane and what's happening ‘Wo've all sorta of things to do dinner,” sorts of things to do?” echoed Billy reprovingly. “My dear Jack, you forget yourself; you are now one of the Idle rich.” “Not quite, Billy,” I sald; “there's of du rt by paying for tea.” I rang the bell and settled my bill, giving the waiter a tip that made his hair curl. It pleased me to be able to pass on something of my own emo- tions. We then went down into the hall, where a porter hurried off to inform our faithful driver, who by my instruc- tions was refreshing himself nome- where in the hotel. A minute later, the Rolls-Royce drew up outside the joor, “Lammerafield House, Park Lane,” T anid Hilly settled himself back luxurtous- facing me. “And to think,” he murmured, “that ten days ago we were dining at Parelli's nicht.” 1 sald, “we'll all three dine at k Lane. What do you say, rela Mercta nodded rr hend vely. Ever since © 4 revelatt sho 42 been curiously silent hat's to may, if there's any one in the house.” 1 went on a more thon Mkely that both the women have cleared out by now, and Heaven knows what's happened to Milford." “Well, we shall soon ace,” remarked Billy consolinsly many cane, you ean ring up Harrod’ and tell them to send rome food alone ‘That's the host of being a milli Morein laid her be “TL omust let the mm & ah valine.” 1 on my sleeve attncks know T Phey wil! 1 have you'll be back ¢ them up, an Linpe over the round the ¢ Park 1 orner of Pleca- ne, the big car 1 hundred yards, wept forwa person in Wnahe y he as 1 jumped our te by n for Mercia a nh blue suit, whe was the pavement, made a toward me With a w Hilly T whipped back ms to strike and the str himself abruptly just ts Vim awfitly ' rr By Victor Bridges SA UPU NEA A EMU YN PAIS HP FS A SR UAT a to sweep up yet. We'll h 3 “If you could spare me a few Utes" —— he began eagerly, = ‘Look here,” 1 said, “i'm busy now —I've got some friends with me, back ta balf an hour, aad well bave a chat.” me sharply as though 1 were telling him the truth, and then, apparently satisfied with the truthfulness of my coun. tenance, began to express his thanks, it's no business of mine,” he ad- ded tentatively, “but | suppose you know Mr. Furnivall is in the house?” “What!” I almost sbouted. “Yes,” bo guid. "I waa really sent to interview him, but he declines te see any press men.” a hy “Well, if you IT said, walt here a minute or @o, perhaps I mishe persuade him to chan his mind.” “This,” broke in Billy, softly rub- bing his hands together, “Just com- pletes our day.” 1 turned {0 Mereta. “Tl fight with men of his eort. He te cowurd and a traitor, He sold Prado to the League, and he would havé killed you when you were at Ashton. I modded my head, “I know, Mer- cla,” | aald sadly. “It's on these very points we are going to remonstrate with him.” I led the way up the and then ‘with my hands on the belt ead. “T ou By Jove, Billy!” 1 so Maurice atill thinks he's come opened and I found myself face te face with the pretty ho She uttered a tow exclamation of surprise and delight. “Oh, sir!” she erled, “you've come back, you've come back!" “Of course I have,” I anid. “T told Fa a should, and I often speak the ith.” : Bhi back to make room tor im "and we paaoed throu tate rb eo Mr. Furnivall?” © She opened the inner door. Furnivall"—— she she stopped short; for foot of the staircase at me w an 6z- amasement, hatred and fear were SL ey, blended. Home idea of bolting must have passed through hia mind, for I saw him make @ quick half-turn towards the banisters. Then I suppose the futility of the proceeding struck him, for with a big effort he regained hts self-control, and advan toward us with an I!l-aasumed air of dignity. be: | ould @ imagined,” he id, “that this was the last place you would have hed the, impertinence to come to!” 1 looked at Bim for a minute, with ightly thoughtful smile. 'y dear Maurice,” I gaid at last, “If you only had @ little more cour. axe, you'd be @ really remarkable rascal. As {t is*—— I shrugged my ar and began to walk towards im. He turned pale and stepped back. “If you attempt to make any dis- turbance bere’-——he began. “Oh, shut up!” I said good-humor- edly, and reaching forward I caught him by the collar, He squirmed furtously, “Send for the police,” he bellowed, “send, fer. the police!” . for the whole British ou can send army, if you like,” I observed, ing him into something like “Now lisfen to me, Maurice. | Tour in may have been @ scot , , at all events, he trusted you, and you sold him—sold him like the little Judas Iscariot you are. sides that, you did your best t-gut me murder . fot me, or I shall Not only did you try to have mé dored at Ashton, but you told thi unblushing Les about me to tl lice." Hore I lifted him up and him again till his teeth rattled. “Now, Maurice,” I Rojas has got i squaring matte with our mutual friend Sangatt “Look here,” be gasped, “you're telstaken; on my honour you are. It's no wood being violent. If you want money" —— Ma used, 1” T gata grimly, Ui give you a cheque; an@ i ntart fresh.” ust open that ball you can “Billy,” T said, door, wilt you?" ‘Then I jerked my prisoner roumé, hat I could eo his face. appear to be under » slight rehension, Maurice,” I said. i the first place, you are not Vrate's heir; and in the second, f n't happen to be in need of ne shtening my ertp on his collay, 1 moved Lim slowly backward across t 1 townrd the front door t are you going to do? by 4 did my duty," T sata pieas- Tebould wring your neck. As to hurt your Aunt » however, I'm merely w you out of the house,” and twisted Uke a frewhs eel, but step by step I exorably backward tos or whieh Billy was hold- Ih moments of great bod- ) most carefully assumed apt 20 dissipated, and that Maurice's’ lam kunwe would have disgraced a cow pin ‘t think Mercia mind. ti fortunately, she ia t ' sort=bitt his confounded heck af using [tin front of her lane | stimulus to my efforts» shold we paused for a ont or.so, while T that he could ober pstination, thrust and one s=ift, kick I sont hie steps and out int. perish traitors,” oonerved (THE AN ABSOLUTELY NEW, ORIGINAL IDEA IN FICTION Stands Will on the You Get It for 6 Cost You $1425 Cents 2