The evening world. Newspaper, July 21, 1914, Page 15

STNOPSS OF PRECEDING CHAPTERS, E a a, Mateint kr tes ain interested in Tpott, ‘ cir with on le sled 1, financier, whom O inetinctively oH wh is reveled tha! © to, 000 “aia ince bas om aboard Use snip, and that secret cg men ry ti ae Sur cae it, Suspiaoe points to the ia also meets Iren rany. & woman cnriter ‘SW sige, nad for, seme, hidden maken . Mrs Tal ne. laott bya Ne ane ng ime ecco, aii ue ata n awey er tat Cy ty. to Seat Tate CHAPTER Il. A Summons, (Continued) RESENTLY he heard the >| door just across the corri- | dor open softly, almost stealthily. His own door stood open by a tiny crack and cau- tiously he stepped to it and peered through. He saw der figure io & gray cloak, her back turned to him, as abe tried,evident y,to turn the key in the lock. 1@ key stuck, and in turging it she dropped it to the floor. It atruck against ...e metal trim with ®@ sharp clang. She did not stoop to pick it up; on the contrary, with a ewift and, he ought, frightened glance along the corridor in both di- rections, she hurried off. Egger to aid the girl, he rushed out into the ball, picked up the key she had dropped and started after he! At the turn be saw her figure a little way ahead. “Mrs. Talcott!" he called. But sbe either did not hear or would not heed. He chose to belfeve the fret, and quickened bis pace into a run. tise wo “Mrs. Talcott, one moment”— ‘The girl, however, did not pause, although *sh@ could not have helped hearing him, She seemed to be actu- ally running away from him. His pride made him pause, then the thougat of her peril and Jouelini urged him to forget Bim: !f in het Obviously she was frightened. It was enough to scare any woman to have ber door tampered with. In ber haste she was confusing him with one of fellows who had been angoying Rutherford thrust the key savagely into bis pocket and turned the other way. After all, what concern was it of bis where the girl was going? Ww should he care? But his seit- ridor leading to the suite, found himself attacked by a buman cata- A man fied by bim with such that he wi dashed back against the wall. The door fro! which the man had emerged slamme: cutting in two the volley of German oaths which bad attended the ejoc- tion, Craig pulled himself together, fair- ly sizzling with indignation, andJald hold of the man who hi bunmped into him so unceremoniously. It was the stocky student, the secret service man. The man recognized him ao less quickly, and with one of bis quick dodges was off again down the Passage. Rutherford’s anger of & moment before was as gothi to the rage that now possessed bim. ‘With a quick leap he seized the thick shoulder and swung the man around. “Not so fast, my fine fellow!” ex- claimed Craig. “You might at least stop long enough to apologise. Be- been looking for you allent. “Talk, you sneak!” said Craig, shaking him. “Government officer. or not, I don’t belleve you have an: license to search rooms, or atac' young women in the halle!” And Craig punctuated his remarks by a shaking euch as a terrier would give ry rat. Curlously enough, the man again made no attempt to Rents pat at (sd wo! “Government _ officer,” Tinnosé furtively at hie assailant, “Let oat “Net till " he growled, you tell me what I want ‘What do you mean by ‘ing into my room, trying to get into Mrs. Talcott’s, and nosing around in Helderman's? He served you just about right! And if I had caught you down my w you'd have come out just about the way he gent you! ‘The fellow flashed another quick glance at Rutherford. “You rich guys think you ought to be left alone,” he muttered, “but we've got to stick to our job. ‘Tain't no use huntin’ for diamonds in the steerage, so I just took @ look in the royal auite,’ In apite of himself, Rutherford chuckled at the idea of Helde: the blatant, self-appreci who believed that could do anytiing—being to aurveililance like the others, “It seems like a mighty bad way to go about it,” tarily relaxing bis grasp. Hat gil Pig ticular?” ct any one in partic! onthe oonsern for Mra. Talbot had taken the place of hisanger. The d teetives were searching gevery on: and the fact that they hhd tried to enter ner room might not mean any- thing in particular. * “Don't I, though!" the man ex- claimed with a wink; then profiting by the other's absorption, he turned quickly and made off down the Cc turned back toward Helder- man’s suite. He reached the private hall again. The door stood slightly open, giving @ glimpse of the reception room, luxuriously furnished. A long wir- ror was set in the panelling directly opposite the door. Rutherford saw re- flected therein the entire room. Helderman, straight, cold, pression of contempt on his ta in th tre. He stood looking down wpon @ woman whose arms were Next Week's Complete Novel in The vening World clasped about his neck, whose attl- tude expressed love and entreaty. The woman wore a gray ebat and & blue vell. Hers was t! me slen- der form that had filtted ahead of Craig, from the door of the stateroom opposite his own. CHAPTER IV. The House in Tenth Street. OME again! H had passed Sandy Hook bey. Rutherford was detained @ mo- ment by the custom officers. They emed to take him pretty much at bis word, and he burried beyond the retaining ropes with ® determined set of hie eyes ahead. Rutherford called # cab and started to help the cabby load bis leathers, Including golf bag and gun cases; then seeing the man was willing to do | got into the cab and | it alone, waited until the things were stowed aboard. “were to, sir?” Before Craig could reply the man stood quickly aside to make way for @ lady, who sprang into the taxi. ‘Number —— West Tenth street,” she instructed, calmly. The cabby closed the door and the womah promptly pulled down the shade. The driver, assuming the two to be together, climbed into his seat and whirled away from the pier. Craig looked around in cold wonder at the intruder. “You—you are not—oh, I am afraid I have offended you!" she exclaimed softly, “But there was no other way!” “IT understand. I offered you my services, and I am glad you could ayail yourself of them,” he replied with studied courtesy. She sank back against the cush- fone and made no further effort to talk to him. . The cab drew up to a curb in a side street, and the driver sprang down and opened the door, “This is No, —— Weet Tenth, sir,” waid the cabby. Rutherford got out and extended a hand to Mra. Talcott. “Let me assist you,” he said, smil- ing. At this moment a spick-and-span young man who had perched on the stone railing of the stoop came down the steps. “You are Mr. she in- terrupted, before be could finish his question. “I'm bis son,” the young man acknowledged, with a buoyant breesi- ness whieb Craig keenly enjoyed as & pure product of the homeland to which be was returning. “The gov- erner sent me down with the keys, and wanted me to,say that if every- thing, wasn't a right,.be would do enyibing necessary,” i you, Mi. Maxwell,” she eaid, ami “Now: will you 50 If WRh us S apllst ig at bim, and ned’ Her next words, when they were scarcely inside the housg, gaye Ruth- erford a slight shock, “Mr. Maxwell—the pistol, please!” “Oh, of course!” sald that young man, producing a box from bia pocket, and taking from it a hammerieas re- volver. “You are accustomed to fire- arms, Miss—Mrs.—?" “Oh, yes!” she interrupted quickly, with a glance at him. Laying the gun on the table, she took three réctangular boxes from the email pigskin bag, which she had car- ried constantly in her hand. “You know what these are, Maxwell?" she asked, “Of course!" replied Maxw: “Will you kindly adjust them cording te the instructions you bave received?” Without another word, Maxwell took the three boxes and left the room. Rutherford heard him ascend to the next floor, where he was accu- pied for about Sve minutes; then he iy. Then he made @ hasty adieu and if red. s utes goodby now, Mra, Talcott,” Ik’ ‘aly. “Don't go—yet you take time to look over the house with me?’ a “Do you mean to live here—slone?’ he ventured to inquire. “Why not?’ she parried, and it @eemed to him thai 9 waited & trifle anxiously for ply. “ “I fancied you might be afraid,” be replied, “Oh, is that all!" st exclaimed, in apparent relief “TI fancied it did not seem quite t proper thing to you. i shall live here quite alone.” The room to which she now led him ocoupied the width of thy house, on the second floor, and was designed ntly as @ jd A Fei topped stood hy ep i eae of the floor, graceless tho! perhaps conven- nt piece of furniture, with two tiers of drawers. Its onlv ornament was the finely mounted head of a Rocky Mountain goat. "George, what @ bully specimen!” exclaimed Craig, his hunting instinct aroused. “Who got him? Where did he come from?” “Mr, Talcott shot him—in the Rock- es, I believe.” ' “A beauty—but look at this—it’s a downright shame! He's such an ain- usually fine fellow, it’s a pity he ian't perfect!" Rutherford wes looking with lively regret at the tip end of one of the long, curved horns, It was broken off. He reached out and touched the blemish. Mrs. Talcott, who had been standing beside him, moved away un- easily. “Do you not trust me?” he de- manded, bluntly, “Oh, how can you ask that when I am trusting you hi hen I have trusted you all along!” she breathed, ‘The great ship and the outer and the inner | It was Mrs, Talcott. | Summer Mystery Story of Smuggled |THE BLUE BUCKLE © A Complete Novel Each Week in The Evening World “Oul, Mademoteelle, how should 1 know?" the girl exclaimed, wringing her hands. “I did not hear the bell ring,” Craig the maid. ised a, posing sharply at utherford himself both the men the secret serv Plainly he was led ght coi booty visibie Nevertheless, he 61 ored to gain time by dissembling. “What brought You here?” be de- manded, “Oh, that’s all right!” sald the other, “Give up the necklace quietly now and we can fix it up at the office later That's the best way to keep out of trouble. Give it up!” But the fellow had over-reached himself. Rutherford had noted the icok of cupidity which came into bis eye, and Geeta EF that it was a idedly unofficial proceeding to al- Jow @ suspect to go merely upon re lease of property. Wit witt mo he slipped the jewels tion of his wrist into bis pocket. “None of that!" -cried the man, lunging at him. But reckoned without his host. Rutherford met him half way with @ firm set of his muacles which halted the man with a jolt. The other hat they claim to be to rei.nburse the Gov- Pleage be men are not you will hav ernment for the diamonds. re before you act!" ig struck out vigorously with nd left; but the men were nd quickly pinioned his Talcott snatched up the pistoi another step in this he sald in direction I shall shoot!’ even tones to the men. k to the second 4d with a bound rd and wrested SSS oe Pp the weapon from her grasp. Hardly knowing what he did, Craig reached out and took both of her hands in his, She reached for the receiver of the desk telephone; then, instead of tak- ing it, her free hand shot out and pressed one of the three buttons that were imbedded In the desk. At the same instant a voice, an- Ery, oxultant, was heard In the lower “Trapped! Caught Wke a rat in a trap!” CHAPTER V. Necklace or Buckle—Which? JUTHERFORD started gullt- ily, then straightened up and faced the door, He had \ recognized the voice of Mr. Henry Talcott, and momentarily waited for him to enter and create & scene. Mr. Henry Talcott, however, Rot choose to appear. “You are not alofie in the house, then?” Craig half asked, baif as- serted. —< “Will you be goof enough to give me the buckle? Shes is why J asked you in.” “What buckle?” iq psked In amaze ment. . “The blue buqhy,” ‘she answered; “the one you saW me wear on board ship. ” “Give you the buckle, Mrs. Talcott! How can 1? You know I haven't had ity" “I think you will find it in your Pocket, if you try." she insisted, He thrust his hands into the pock- of the light top-coat he wore, ‘Not there!” she sald: “in your other coat, please.” He reached sceptically into the left pocket of his coat, and an expression of complete bewilderment crept over his face. The girl smiled at his dis- may. “Out with itl” she said jest- ingly. Slowly he drew forth his band and oftered her its contents, It was a diamond necklace—a gor- gevus strand of stones, worth at least did $50,000, “No, no! I don't want that want the buckle, please, quick!” she begged. Obedient to the whims of this tonishing person, he felt in his other pocket. The sharp corners of the biue buckle pricked his fingcrs, He drew {t oul and with @ rapturous joy which would seemingly have wel- comed the necklace, she extended both bands for this atmple trinke, “May I examine it?" he asked qui ly, retaining possession of the buckle. She clasped and unclasped her fingers nervously and watched bim with manifest concern, while he leisurely scrutinised the object. It proved to be more interesting than he had thought. It was ancient and battered and scarred, Its work- manship, by hand, was that of a day when metal smiths were less accom- plished, Its chief distinction, how- ever, id one that added to the mys: tery which seemed to surround this girl, lay in an Inscription scratched deeply into the steel and running across the upper and lower edge of the oblong buckle, Craig traced the puzuling letters with an effort: OXB IVI ESAF IPSE “What does it mean?” he asked. “Ah, it l only knew!" she exclaimed “How often have I puazied over It! It may mean something—a great deal to both of us, It may mean nothing atall. And if it means nothing—I—1 don’t think I can bear | Suudenly she stood alert, wildly about, “A vehicle has stopped tn front of the door, Do youthink we coulg have been followed from the pier?” “Ido not think so. I saw no one," ho replied. “Look out and see who it ts," she whispered, drawing tnsensibly closer to him. “Don’t let them see you!" Craig went to the window, pulled looking I into the room and AM MALAL LLL AL LALLA LULL LLLLL LULL LL MAIU ALAA ALLL LL LLU A NEW CRIME-ROMANCE BY THE MAN WHO WROTE THE IMMORTA The Thousandth Woman » E. W. Hornung, Author o “RAFFLES,” Et. aside the hangings @ trifle, and peeped out, phantly, 've got the gun! “It's a woman with a big leather Mrs. Talcott tried to run to the bag," he announced. “She's young, desk. and she looks harmiess, Come and “Stay where you are!" the holder see,” of the weapon commanded. She came and their heads almost She halted, gazing desi touched she peered out. One glance, ut two short fer and ah ave a little ery of delight; tit! Don't shoot!" the next moment she was speeding the stocky fellow, evidently not want- Acrons the room and down the stair. ing to make @ disturbance that might “Sophie! Sophie! Iam so glad! I jeard ou thought you were not coming!” her By a lucky twist he seaaned Fuiee. voice was heard exclaiming, in the ford's pocket, Craig writhed abou lower hall, until be had forced the man's hand Rutherford guessed from the hum. out; then he plunged bis own in and bly delighted manner of the young grasped the necklace, Across the foot woman who now entered, that she he sent it spinning, in the hope that was the mald to whom Mrs, Talcott bis aasallant would dart after tt and had previously alluded. ieee & cea Mavemoiselle, when they fight “rhe necklace alld across to a spot your. dear near where Mrs, Talcott stood. She ;Yes, yes, Sophie, you may tell me made a feint of seizing it. ‘The other later! It 1s enough that I have you Man darted toward her and pushed again!" her mistress interrupted, evi- jer violently upon the desk, but as ntly not desiring any further dis- ghe fell she managed to push the closures at this time, jewels with her foot back under the The maid followed her mistress up rear part of the desk. The man tried to the second floor, and as she passed vainly to reach them and swore Rutherford she gave a quick, sidewise agely under his breath. glance.at him, Rutherford knew that — Suddenly a voice that fairly roared it was oné of those keen, inquiring its vigorous shout came to the looks by whieh a clever observer under the desk and the two strug- ging much information, gling on the floor. Predeneiy ‘MA-Talcott returned to the etady. “Coming! Coming!” the great voice b¢ shouted. “Hands ap, you cowards! “You cauhé$ Mpasine how relieved We've got you this time! ai I feel to have my maid with me again{” she “Trapped! Trapped like a. Caught like rate in a trap!” another Rutherford picked up the gems and handed thein to her. voice shouted tn triumph, It was Mr, Henry Talcott and some “Aren't these diamonds yours?” he ‘companion in the nick of time. Ruth- asked pointedly. erford, suddenly released, looked to- “I never saw them before! How ward the door, expecting to see that can you be so Absurd? You produced strange man who had kept himself in them from your own pocket!” the background once before now come “Also the blue buckle. You do not rushing in with this welco! ald, deny ownership of that, I suppose?” His stocky assailant had sprung up “No, | put that there myself! It Mke a creature at bay and and also was the only way I felt it would be gazed at the door, The other fellow safe, after that attack. I was afraid had crawled so hastily out from A that the persons who seemed to know der the d that the revolver slippe: about it might try to get it again, But we are at cross-purposes about “Now take the diamonds him, Sam! he out of his hands. This Mra. Talcott Promptly seized and fired twice, just above their heads, The two men fied ems, FP nat ne roman yet ease state plainly what Viidly, fairly falling down. the stare “Mrs. Talcott, didn’t you place those in their eagerness to escape. A mo- ment later the front door slammed after them, “Why, where are they?" Ruther- ford asked. ‘Gone, as you saw,” she diamonds in my pocket?” “How could 1? 1 never owned such @ necklace.” Rutherford\grumpled the stones to- gether and wd® dropping them in b: swered. pocket when @ peremptory voice mean Mr. Talcott and the halted him, ethers?” “Stop!” ince they have frighte: the thieves away, what does it matter?” she asked. “No, it doesn't matter!” he replied bitterly, “Il am to be used as a pawn it seeins—but never trusted! “Here,” she said simply, rising and giving him the jewels; “and this.” She had drawn forth the blue buckle and laid it in his open hand beside the necklace. “Will you take ‘e of it for me? eo @aid wistfully. may mean more to me thay my own life. You see how I trust you! “I shall care for it and guard {t— with my life, if necessary!” he said, preasing the bit of blue steel to his lps. Prana, Mr. Rutherford—I—I think I ought to tell you one more thing. My name Is not Talcott, really.” “You are not Mra. Talcott?” he cried. “No, my name ts Ballantyne.” He whirled around. A man sprang od bis arm in an attempt to secure the jewel ‘We'll trouble you for that,” a sec- ond man asserted, also approaching Rutherford, But the latter, with the trained In- stincts and muscles of an athi had not walted to parley, With one swift wrench he escaped the grasp of the first intruder and retreated until he stood with bis back against the desk. “How did you get in?” he demand- “Ake anybody else would: rang the bell,” said one of the men inao lently, as though assured that the si uation waa entirely in their o' nds, “You let them int" cried Mrs. Tal- cott, reproachfully, to Sophie, who now thrust a scared face in the door- way. Are You Going Away for the Summer? When out of town for the summer you may find it ts difficult ani ate 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 ~ semplete novel each week. Not some old book a cours<7 dealer kas not been able to sell, bt 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. ‘And Mr. Talcott?” “His name is Ballantyne, too—vut he just my father!” CHAPTER VI. Mademoigelle Arany Calls JHREE hours later Ruthe | |) ford was seated comfort- ably in one of the big leather arm-chairs at the ; Barristers’ Club on Forty- fourth street. He was chatting with an old time friend and schoolmate, a man with round, clean-shaven ‘a. , ruddy cheeks and shrewd, bright eyes, who seemed immoensoly toter- ested In his conversation, Monty Brookfield was an Assistant District-Attorney, just now in the exact storm centre of one of those Police Investigations which seeu: to atir up New York periodically. But, busy or not, he always presented an appearance of unruffied calm, and ways had time to serve a friend— especially when that friend was Craig Rutherford. Craig bad just told him the ptory of the diamonds. Brookfield ’ d telephoned to the United sprang to his side and tr: | to jn turo bad tes Secrat Service. Elower, Rutherford out of coum “Yn "fegs than haif-an bour after « | t Toure getting W tad)” besa, Hue poneene like man prosented “resisting an officer! Better give up — “Hollo, Crowder,” sald Brookfield the diamonds without any fuss! wenially, “You are just the nap } “Mr. Rutherford, don't do it!" cried need to settle a bit, Mrs, Taicot { warn you! If these knows what a wecrst ser- looks like--and | have R Rutherford arose and extended his hand, The officer was about to graxp it, when at the moment his eye caught wight of the necklace left posed upon the tabie. His jaw half dropp and he entirely forgot the greet im. ‘Whose property is that?" manded Crowde: Craig repeated his story. Oo BUCH message wan sent,” de- of Wall atreet.” abut tight, but he made no observation, were,” continu ‘a made life miserab! all the reat of the passengers by overhauling things" —— “Mr, Rutherford, the whole thing is absurd. There were no secret service men on board that ship—and if there had been, those are not thelr meth- ods., No messuge such as you de- ecribe was ever received on board the Gothic. I know, because the very first intelligence of it came direct to headquarters only last night!" Rutherford whistled. Crowder smiled in @ superior sort ofa vad “Would {t change your views if I told you something rather startling, Mr. Rutherford. What would you say if I told you that Helderman was Sot & passenger on i said Craig. * returned Crowder, “He was not on board the was here present in New osltively. othic. te hat,” cried Rutherford. ere, York-—for the past week. What you think so?” ause,” said Crowder, “I have ween him every night—every night, mind you—for the pust ten days, and #o have half a dozen other men.” “Who are they?” queried Craig. “Night watchmen,” said Crowder, “patrolling the Drive. Every night we have seen Helderman—the real Held- erman—through the windows of his house, I know the real Helderman when I see him, You can’t fool me about that. And for ter, days at least —for I've been reckoning him up for least that time—he has been home every night.” ‘Reckoning him up,” repeated Craig. “Shadowing him,’ id Crowder, “if it will suit you better,” “What for?” asked Craig. Crowder shrugged his shoulders. “To tell you the wholestruth, Mr, Rutherford,” he eaid, “I don't know A I'm acting under orders. There's @ big mystery oonnected with this man Helderman, and I'm teid to keep him more or leas in sight. That's how I know that he's been here.in New York. That's how I know he was not on the Gothic,” Craig returned home, He had not been in hia apartment hotel rooms an hour when a measage from the office desk told him that called. 0 appeared. ‘Without a word closed the door and flashed on the Mght, The girl who stood before him was not Miss Ballantyne, but Mile. Arany, whose dreas he bad untangied from the desk chair, on board the Gothic, Rutherford bowed. ‘Monsieur, I have reason to believe t you have in your paneeeaion' = diamond necklace?” Monsieur, I know of no neck- She paused, with the first trace of embarrassment she had shown during the interview. As he satd nothing, she continued slowly: “T have reason to belleve that you have in your pomsession--a blue buckle,” “Can you not give me some de- scription of it, so that [ may know what you have in mind? he replied cautiously. An envelope from which he had Jately extracted a letter lay upon the table near her. She selaed it and be- gan, with a gold pencil, to sketch an outline rapidly upon the white re- verse side, Kutherford followed her with absorbed attention, The buckle —their buckle—-began to appear under the deft strokes of the artist, and finally stood complete, with one im- portant omission, before bin eyes. “There-is that it? she asked, watching him He knit his brows, eign of Tevognition She d a slender, gloved finger along the upper and lower edge of the sketch, but gave no TOTO L “RAFFLES” STO MMMM bo RIES . if thei plied slowly. a. “Was there anything—a pattern, or “That eesounte for it!” the officer letters, along bere?” she peraisted. The woman must be @ wizard to divine so much! How she could know, in the firat place, that he had the buckle at Fa gy age 3 = fe—1 shall eee” be re- Mile. Arany took her pencil again and carefully, ker ed ‘a tbe letters: Ox IVi BBAF gE “That'’a ® queer re = Bais , a8 though It were quite new 0 Following plan be had oot int it his sitting which stood @ smal sk and a fo just beside it. He could see, without appearing to turn, that she had stepped si y In line with the door and was ing curi- ously Into this room. The jigh ne through the door, revealing the safe plainly. Craig opened its heavy door, and seemed to examine something within it uncertainly, He picked up a amall object and returned to the front room with it in bis closed hi Mademoiselle Arany had retreated to her former place, and now looked up with an appearance of languid interest; but the quick dilation of ber nostrils showed him how keenly she Was interested in his next move. “Pardon me—do you amoke, Made- moiselle?” be asked, opeaing his h It contained a package of cigar- ettes. ‘The woman sprang up. “You are trifling with me!" she exclaimed in- dignantly. “Not at all," he answered with an appearance of candor, “But I did hot And Just exactly the buckle you week.” “Then you have the other duckie!” she exclaimed, It was again his turn to be aur- he arose an room adjoinip, ort of den, | a prised, but he masked it under a show of indiffer “There are t asked 1 “IL believe so, ® answered, biting “If To might see yours and the inscription om the Bhe saw that she was beaten; and an she swept out of the room, eyes ation, she snapped out If 1 knew that, I shouldn't have called!” Craig stood, pondering, after sho had gone. Something in her tones surred memories within him, Where had he heard just that tone of voice before and when? Buddenly tt came to him— voice, wafted down the wind: night, on the Gothic. are they sat derstand? not “safe?” Craig sighed and gave tt up. It was mystery along with ot! CHAPTER VII. The House on Riveretde Drive. UTHERFORD was amused at the angry exit of hie visitor, She was too warm- ly beautiful in her rage to be regarded with sternness, “She wants that buckle,” he re- flected; “now I wonder why! An@ the fact that there are two of them makes it rather interesting. Two women—two buckles, The women of the ame general type, to outward Appearance—the buckles evidently identical, save for a bit of jargon scrawled upon them!" The telephone rang. The man at the wire at this end was Helderman. He asked if Mr. Rutherford could dine with him that evening. Craig accepted. Dressing, he hurried out and balled a tax, “Corner of Riverside Drive and West —— street!" Knolls of the stately Driv. stood a great cube of whit simple and stately, In a wit panse of lawn that spoke with simple elo- quence of the wealth which could annex so much valuable real estate. “There's Helderman! That's hi sure!” exclaimed the chauffeur, as held the door open for bis passenger to alight, The Indeed, w: Helderman, plainly’ visible’ from the curb. Rutherford smiled as he saw bim move across & room, with bis peeu- Mar, Jerky stride, His smile changed to wonder as he watched. Helderman stood still. distinctly visible to the two watchers on the sidewalk as if were ing in the lawn, in broad it, instead of in an artifically lighted room. The effect was startling. Tl next moment, Craig realized that al most the whole front side of the room in which the banker moved about must bo a huge, plate-glass window! Rutherford moved toward th A cllght sound behind him cause. him to stop und turn suddenly, A man about fifteen paces back of bim Slso stopped @ad bailed Craig by It was Crowder, the secret service man. the who 1 that man ia *rowder, “That's Helderman,” said Crowder, ym you see the difference, don't ‘As how?" queried Craig, ‘The difference,” went on Crowder, “between the real Helderman in there and the fake Helderman that you aw on the Gothic, Craig laughed, “That's the man, Crowder, that | saw upon the Gothic, Every move he makes, every twitch of his shoulders, every tilt of hiachin avery little nervouw trick he has. All those belong to the man upon the Gothie.” , “Helderman was right there in that room for the last ten nights,” aid Crowder, They had moved forward until they stood befere the gate of Helderman's place, “Good-alght, Crowder,” said Ruth- erford, “You're going in?” “Yes, Mr. Helderman asked me to call, this evening.” exclaimed. He was as 4; Doge are bet loage, to-night. Goods) are ni! 2 Rutherford.” ahead into the ‘rowder gianced shadows, and moved off quickly as if.) he saw some one. Rutherford pushed: the button under the lion's head. Al-*- Most at ones the gate swung open. The doorbell had hardly sounded — faintly to his touch when a man in livery opened the door. announced Craig. expects you, slr, be seated.” 4 & deep growl punctu- formal requ-st—so did the rattling of chains. ‘Ou needn't be uneasy, sir,” aald butler. “They are securely fasten- talg peered in the shadowy 1 of the great hall, but saw ” He rose and moved forward a stops, and stopped short. The . rumbling protest which be Was too positive to be dieregarde: H w something moving, and a ually by the dim light filtering dowm from a dosen beautiful but unillum- Inat'og lamps of Japanese bronze, Re.) made out the eprawiing figures of two huge beasts, lying with stretched? cks upon a dais covered with tiger oxing. They were tugging at thelr chains; and he approached them with, some feeling of security. Massive Great Danes they were,” An animalslover. he knew the gentle nature of such dogs, when not o1 guard. [ie neared them, bell py were stretching their necks for, caress, He had extended a hand to toucb') one, when both animals leaped up. Victously, and the noarest all but seized bie band slavering jaws With great, gaunt, wide open, tugged and writhed in unmistakably vicious rage, Craig spre: in tim Ly th heed ah ith le of the heavy chaing with considerable satisti lon, Up and down leaped the tae howl nd seemed to focus in their evil eyes all” the light that fell faintly from the * lamps 8f bronze. Helderma door met h “Ab, thi financier ex- jalined. “Iam more than glad to see Come in. 1 shall take P te sanctum, where I admit few. J shave my thoughts distu ntal-housekeeping put out 7 by the presence or the mem- ory of the presence of those who are —well, not to the manner bora, Have you ever noticed that ‘he entire at- Moaphere of « room, its tone, 4] might gay, can be epotied fora das. for a week, for me, by the ad- + mission of some foreign element? Rooms are as sensitive as persons!” | Craig gianced around this room which he had already seen from the. Outside and was silent. bs “Simple, isn't it?” the banker ob-.,, served, noticing his lack of response. “Very,” Ruthert 5 ; ba vould bulld a tae hee if id,” anid Helderman. a© the drawing room sucsst. wilewes,” observed Rutherford. ‘ot at all. It would be like fight- ing in the open, where I would have t os Bl aire chance te aim as the take fight I I fanoy in a give-and- can hold my own!” ‘Bit here,” he said abruptly, “and ; @on’t move. I want to show you the bower of mind over matter!” Without waiting for his guest ¢ reply, Helderman rose and walk into the hi The oclank of chaing was heard and the sullen growls of ore. Then WMelderman backed rapii ie he room, shouting in a wana 101 ural Bot move as you value your Into the bare white chamber, - they gaunt, powerful bodies buried ward ‘like catapul leaped Great Danes. Straight at Craig charged, as though he were thrown ‘to the! atill and acai Helderman going upon hint Te La) beast upon him, would pin hie to thi Helderman as though hi spoke one Craig had witnessed an! wild ones, made fearful by the power of a single will; but never befor he beheld such an exhibition of aheot terror as now struck these two Down they sank, shivering and whin- to the floor. They crawled . their bellies up to t' master, and licked ‘hia feet, ‘Then under ae fore thet onenned to hurt them . 5 cra = y cra~vied through the oper Helderman immediately closed a turned to Tuthertord, * ope you mind dogs.” “Oh, not at all!” replied Coal “T surprises. Seetn; brought freshly to. mind eplaocde with the wireless, in which you and I figured," he add- @d, to change the subject, ) “Yos, yea! I recall it now, It was about a message the little serene y. would not nell fo: Fead it though!" £004 mone; “Are you—sure?™” “Perfectly!” the banker respon looking at him quick! “It was * A surprise you to know hip with that necklace tn my outside pocket.” “By Jove! This ts great! You the smuggler! You, with your clean, standing look of innocence! Ci oy!" “You misunderstand me, up to the Government.” Faves “Whatt" “Why not? It's perfectly safe with them, tan’t it?” “Yes—but how about your friend, the smuggler?” rejoined Helderman tacetioumy. “I haven't the remotest notion whu that person Is." ot even a suspicion, 1 supose,” sald Helderman sourly, “Well, Jim older and less beauty-bilnded thap you, and T can guess.” (To Be Continued.) CLAS LALLLLL LULA LAY AMID AAEALDEMULA AEE DEL ELLA This Book on the Stands Will Cost Youll $1. You Get It for éc,) they) © ©