The evening world. Newspaper, July 25, 1914, Page 9

E BLUE BU OOOHOOSM tome Qnding each other,” she an- ‘The front door bell rang; and Billi already overstrugg, grew ail of i! trae, “Oh, I wonder if I can. Will I do? Do 1 look very nice?” she exclaimed, turning to face ber image in ihe glass @uG once more making a litte griu- ace Gt the reflection. Miss Olmstead made no immediate : Teply, She was thinking that if only had her youth back, and looke halt eo charming as the radiant girl in the glass, ehe could ask no more, Nevertheless, Billie's discriminating faze went from one detail to another Tautecioe tee tollet, and at each mn she was oe : not altogether “Ob, dear! I never wear so much Jowelry! I never look so fussy! But, CHAPTER XXil. you see, I must dress th The Strawberry Vender. riusav't?’ Dol look ike A adat (Oomeiaued. ) . turess? Do I look bold and wicked, “ IXACTLY so!” replied Craig, and as if I would betray my friends ba ag bad asked, anxiously, “No, not quite that,” replied truthful Misa Olmatend, a ‘shoula @ay that you looked like a debutante just on the threshold of some brill- dant social success; une whose youth and good looks and ambition might Palio clapped her bands ie clappe: or ds - Mghted schoolgirl. cg dhe “That's better than lookin; lei n ed isn’t rege nites strange servant girl, an bh - looking mulatto, appeared atthe Sophie had decamped in tears fuse eka Rh a bevel Miss Oim- secured a maid-of-all- t supply the pod of-all-work “A gentleman, ma’am,” presenting his card.” "BO sald, Billie flaghed down the stairs Jike @ creature of light and energy. She swept into the study, as though she eagerly anticipated the visit of its Occupant. Helderman, his eyes glowing rested upon her, rose and 8 wr with old-cchool courtesy. None co! do this with better grace than he. Tam obedient, Mies Ballantyne, you ee," he said, and bowed again. A much less observant man than he must have been struck by the elabo- rate tollet she had made. Helderman read it as an indication that the girl had begun to chafe at her quiet {ite bested tga wines os or tar. corner of and w: hy Sawer nines: try her wings for “Were you surprised to unmoved. “Btate your business ma then!” cried Miss Arany, irritated by his sang- froia. “But I warn you beforehand that, when you get through, I shall Bave something to say—and perhaps also the man who owns this house!” “The net is closing in around Hel- German,” answered Craig. At least three different cases are being round- a against him. This jaunt to Florida, by which he secured by fread” — “How by fraud? The papere and evidence were in our possession—the eotate is rightfully mine!” she stormed, but a frightened look bad come into her eyes. “It tp too late to try to make me believe that, Mise Arany! Let us try to devise other ways and means.” “For what purpose?” she demanded. “Te save yourself. 1 have some in- fluence with the authorities and Miss Ballan' ee iiss’ Haliantyne—bab! wh Shel father? ie t had those papers tad. they would save his Tite 1 wouldn't turn my hand over!” “Now I think your bitterness is as as was your loyalty, awhile ny ome faltering and fushin; ; is under his intent “It was delighted,’ - 4 es answered gal “Why ? She looked frankness of a child, sm With the “Because I wanted to see you I wanted to tell you how you hurt me when you dismissed me — the | time,” he said with perfect sincerity. “Will you sit down?" she asked, in- dicating a chair just opposite the desk. I must again apologize for utilizing: this study as a reception room, but we have found that the other room needed doing over entirely. You know, when ‘one of these old houses begins to fall to pieces it goes in chunks. That is what lately dance attendance!” Te," retorted Craig; ly, L am not the “pat, to speak slang! one!’ an'st” ‘t do you mean? J. Baron Heléerman wouldn't look at a girl like that a second time. Tm not eo sure,” mused Rutber- Miss Arany said emphatic- She cane of the room downstairs ‘For heya y 5 nee Jaughed at her natve descrip- ‘ you cannot be marr jon and seated himself, while she band abroad”— wat just a few feet away. Then he Bim Your husperGuot, but again it deliberately drew his chair still ex changed color and re- closer, so that the horns of the wictearisebing Rocky Mountain goat on top of the desk seemed to threaten him with bodily injury, Helderman’s attitude was arro, like that of a conqueror dic! t He had pursued this proud, sseased young woman long, ie knew the secret of @pparent capitulation n He as- sumed an indulgent ton once throughout the in! his voice ‘e been heard in the ad- Joining roo: It was quiet, persua- e, but domineering, like the man maelt. “Tam glad you chose this room,” he slike, And admired in you is that you can talk—business!” “Is ability to talk business an ad- mirable trait in @ woman?" she asked timidly. ‘In some women—when not car- ried to excess,” he replied enigmati- tuough, that you have the faculty in order r own intereste—and angril fas poor—commonplace! What ffer me Jp comparison with ? “But suppose now that Helderman “He will not dare—after all I have done for bim—after all I know! “Yet I ain sure that he js making Xu jove—to 2iiss Ballantyne.” Rutherfo! rd said this with show f bitterness on his « /n part, whic! sea ities Arany to bel he was in- tensely jealous. og girl gave & , mocking laugh. . Making Jove—bah! He makes fun lot ber to me! I know that he called to eee her once, which was for pur- poses of his own. Now it Is no longer Recessary. . “Then if he called again? “He will not do so!” The woman said it with tho positive assuranc by which one seeks to allay one’s vate fears. Prieyou are mistaken,” returned Craig. “Helderman is going again, and he is going as an ardent wooer, rate one.” she cried, her eyes blaz- 10K shall do ao, Miss Arany~with your assistance.” “Ie that the only reason, little prin- “ my asnistance--ves! No one ceas? 1h ‘Arany: ie a dolt _ “It {sa very great reason, Mr. Hel- ything to be derman, and you have it In your vast aside! power ‘to grant me a very great Cast Rave not suid that, iMss Arany." favor. “Would my reward, then, be—very rent’ he responded, his eyes glow- ing. “The victor can sometimes afford to be generous,” she fenced. “Just now the question ts, will you help me?” “In what way, little princes “The safe deposit box containing the property and other papers be- longing to the Ballantyne ate has been opened, as you know, and I have reason to believe that all its contents are in your posnet . Of course I know that posseesion js nine points of the Iaw and that there is no way of getting them from you, even"—— Billie paused intentionally and looked directly at Helderman, but his face wore only look of polite In- terest. _emeven though they have heen ae- cured by fraud, The fraud cannot be oroved.” “Indeed?” Helderman questioned, Billie realized that she must come nearer the bounds of that exclusive control of herself which mad. her at once unapproachable and alluring to this man who lovee winning the dim cult things of life. Helderman was not to be moved se long as she talked in business-like generalities, She must play the coquette; she must woo from him the information that she id Rutherford, the utmost consid eeetion in his tone, “But I will sa this—-you are being made a toul of, and you don’t know It! While you ait at home here looking after that— well, that alibi or double of his—Mr. n is amusing himself else- where, and laughing at you for being she screamed, in a per- fect frenay rage, “He would not dare! I'll give you one chance to prove it, Craig Rutherford; and !f you do not make good your worda— TN bunt you out and kill you! CHAPTER XXIII. The Silent Listener. ‘T was 9 o'clock in the evening and Billie Ballantyne had just finished completing ® toilet of unusual care. The effect, however, did not al- together satisfy her, and shy put two cold, nervous hands Into the warm, strong grasp of Miss Olm- etead. There was something so sym- pathetic and motherly about Miss Olmstead that the lonely «irl had taken her to her heart at once. ' sought, For a moment she felt sick “I wonder why I was such @ 10N8 at heart; then she aterled herself time finding you!" she exc'aimed tm- with the thought of hew much it pulsively to the older wouan, Mins Olmstead stroked the soft cheek, with a touch that was almost wistful. This was just the sort of irl she would e@ liked to vall "daughter," if she had the right. 1 wonder why we were much a long meant to her father “Mr, Helderman, I have sometimes fancied that you—cared for me—a little!” ‘The actress slumbers in every her"- tiful woman, Pillie began to awaken her in herself. A Ne CKLE © sage—after—the last time?” she asked, ” 106 with every The Evenings World Daily Magazine, Saturday: July 238° 1914 Mystery Story of Smuggl A Complete Novel Each Week in he Evening World ODOOSS: w York Summer @OOHDTHOON OOOOH Oo VOOOCOOHOGQOOOOOOSOOHE ® Helderman’s voice had become al m most gentic. Even in her fear, Bill! wondered the varied phases of this extraordinary man. He wae fairly hypnotic in bia power to influence a less powerful mind. “I-I could not love you! I b no faith in you!” ehe cried, shudder- ing. “You should have-—now that I have laid bare my heart, even my villainy to you!" he protested. “You admit, then, that you took nd papers of the Ballan- en you bad no right said, ber Grmness re- turnin; “I have admitted what you already to win you, my and it is all “If you refuse—my clandestine visit to the Peninsula Bank will still not have been in vain. The bonds, Bor- derline Fives, and for quite a tidy m—they shall be mine.” ‘And my father?” “His vindication te—just so many worthless bits of paper in my eyes’ "Oh, be / generous!’ he falling from bh . 'Be nerous! the bonds, If you et, but give me my father's pa- m pers!” “Not without my reward!" he ex- claimed, catohing the hands she had P extended and holding them fast in hig “Bay that you will marry me! you have stolen what ‘a ine malt ith imprisonm: forint T love youl I want you! I would do more than steal; I would kill if another map crossed my path to you!” othing could exceed the vehemence of this reat: and the fact that it was uttered in that smouldering, scarcely audible tone he had main- tained made it all the more you say dare h leas do them?” Because no one can prove that It ‘rhe banker reddened. te who do them! Thee, len’ oe ajtgu shall pay dearty for thie tn- CHAPTER XXIV. OOO: ODD ODODODODODODODOOOOODOODODOOODHD HOODOO OOD OGD reely al yaelt e “he 4 cannot use a syllable of Pail egainat Merherett ‘rejoined the detective, 7te Seeret of the Big White Higa T have risked your displeasure the subtle changes of emphasis with me. It would be your word nat “put just now I'm not taking any Room. their mi 4 with @ soar once, to tell you how much I cared which he uttered the last words, The mine, and you would not be belleved, chences; and you're coming with _— haraed toon ban, L , for you!" he answered in @ voice low man was speaking in deadly earnest; for my alibi is faultiese! I can go three men went down the —_ but Vibrant with passion. “You must and the girl looking at him could not and come—even to ad 20 where?’ asked the banker. steps, out of the door and _,;Snoct! Shoot! Tey wit ki ie believe ime, glorious girl! There 1s dissemble the fact that he loved her. man can say certainly that I have «well, rst of all, we are going to approached the pig itmou- ¢*ied rene Arany. her voles - none on earth I have ever desired a8 But with all bis passion, Helderman jeft the city!” pay _a call on—that alibi of yours, up gine of the banker, still of A I desired you—and 1 mean to bave was atill the man of craft, who sald "But how? she suggested, 20 on Riverside Driv ting, about ou. everything deliberately—even these daring to ask. “E will do #0,” replied the banker, ing waiting, The girl shuddered slightly at the apparent confessions—with some defl- «an! That is my secret! Not even ‘Home, Adolph!” he or- half-way down the block. tempest she had aroused, but did not ed! Just now he nite object in vi! just now, belov hall. know, the three entered the car. ‘Will you give instructions oF draw away. wished to demonst 0 her bow ut on me mmand re- i eThen prove your love!” she chal Carefully he hed planned to bring Ber bondage oF ee waien You The IMM onek | taroem. ccremes atail i? asked | Crowder in 6 low lenged. within his power, and how useless it SOV cateqi why, I intend to sell hendoufts upon Helde ‘and the tone “How?” was for her to struggle further. those Borderline of youre to— pandoutle Upon a Hhave given the cae Hie words seemed to release Hel- “In the Ballantyne papers whicd “You speak to me as though I were whom do you think?—to Rutherford. a4) -by the impression of be- derman from his thrall of tortured you have in your possessiun are so: the only woman in your life,” she He will gnaw nails off with ; 00d enaa, off for a jaunt. documents woing to clear iny fathe slowly, almost’ reproachfully. vexation’ but he will have to buy the [iG Stns, Sone Om ene top euch silence. . name of a crime, for which he wi t I know that there has been an- bonds from me for you! Ah! at a party, and all were keenly alert, “Delt! Idiot! Fool!” he screamed. unjustly accused. Give them to me!” other—and is at present—who is con- js humorous, Bne siretcned out her hands, a world 28 hese aaio of pleading in her voice; but the fener ree mistaken for me, or I ree ta, ee ee r ee brash BA KaE WIRES Y TANENOD BENEOEE his ““syou mean Miss Arany, I sup- him aside; I shall take you abroad, Cache be . “Yes, I needed ur beauty” —— ou are a good & child. Yea, Por iat Hee ica. Hopaias anak where Yored of hearing about my there were some papers in the boa took her away from her liege lord to beauty!” Billie exclaimed. “Tell me which your father would give @ good Yona about that interesting alibi of yours! deal to see; which you would go down "sGh1 Bille cried aghast. “She— I'm crasy to know about it!” upon your pretty knees to ask me for, But why should I caimly give to you joctments that have been secured at so much risk on my part?" she was the wife of another man— and she loved you! You loved her und took her!" and fliippanc om feeling as quetr; far 3 ; - 4 “That Is my way!" Helderman ex- eagerly for bis reply. . pecatid yet you say you love me!" whe yicad up take ail I desire! I go Rerly (yen you must know now, rowan the Pentasula Bank fraud vengeance!” added Craig. Tis precisely because Ido love you s#lkbt ahead, where ordinary men sweetheart bande worked that up, and I ford here pat it was true, Irene looked down on nad race Hecausn 1 de love you falter! Yes, { loved Arany once, and | ‘The «irl auddenly wrested ber Bass Tha) done « pretty good Job, for an the man she had loved, and whose trom the you. Marry me and the papers Mire #ho has been very useful to me, But from @ — ing grasp and amateur.’ achemes she had shared, with no yours; your father can hold up his —5° longer! I have loved no other away trom Soe ‘A pretty poor job!” retorted Held- the woman since I first saw you. You are @ white star; you burn clearly with all the purity and beauty of heaven. head again; and you | will surround wald. luxury, every considera- crete,” aie said. you why I asked you here to-night; tion, Refuse me and I will destroy in tneriminate your- of the city! there papersand send your father to See Oe eee ce waa eniter blo ON fo os Ll M “He thinke be can. And there's « “Bo you were through with me— ya's € a ‘ ae hinks 80 too.’ uite!” whe scoffed. “I was merely « ; : dx were clenc Billi had a faint suspicion of that at woman qa As he spoke he drew from his pocket MAM Miro, ae him, then tured and frees aafwered, sardontoally, ‘but ‘The Lanker gave @ start, and useful tool, like Sophie! Well, 1 an oblong white envelope and four- tet ner head alnk down upon ber bare you have not ._ Even had looked around at the silent Ruther. wasn't through with you—and I'm not arms. He terrified her. She did not there been persons concealed in ap ‘ord. young man’ through with you—yet! 1 told you Billie often wondered afterward how Goubt his fon for an instant, adjoining room they could not have to anil. once your smugied diamonds were not she could have retained her self-poise adele TT eaid to you!” . “You—you cannot love! You do not I ehow you now that you were He Tat eunrems monienty Now te kaow, what the word means!” she pathat te true,” abe 8 sald, “But you ormen, Wille (0 cuanpe the Caner ee, oe ree en cram mer ! cried. jave incrim! i tn ores And the cruel show of him n tere oer" ahs, sald. soft She started up, one desire posseas- lese—almont without eny proms Fier ae ser eeit taking inte the wall never ceased, or was tnter- poscly, evading the atawer that’ ia 10 her, muking her forget for the certainly without the pecenetty ot ra ‘attempted rupted for an instant, Bteadily she Portly, evading, the answer that hls moment the purpose with which she Placing persone in the other roo Cons Gora iat. ‘There was the Braine Kept the betraying picture at its flend- did you first see me? Was it on ad asked Helderman to call. Bhe liste: sets ish task. Now the simulated Helder- board the Gothic?” . wanted to get away from him; out She spoke quiet! 1 oa “1 es man waiked—apparently—to the win- Bde Ned about him to of the reach of his dangerous, over- ly that her words beat ominously ‘Sheer roth’ commented the banker. gow—but actually upon the bare wall sure no one was within earshot Whelming passion. Helderman’s consciousness. ‘I'm not sure about that. The evi- — and looked out. Now it lighted a he answered “Little. princess, you cannot go! _ “What do you meant” he asked, dence is all tabulated.now, and you'll cigar. Now it sat down and crossed “ chil It was weeks before You asked me here! 1 came deter- with his old, quick glance over bis bave 1 eae hard to equirm jts legs. Now it paced up and down that time! Your precious blue buckle mifed to win you. I mean to have shoulder. te Hele the wall with many @ shrug and and still more precious Sophie first you!” “You Jsughed at what My called In cu y errr mger| the grimace that its counterpart had as- led me to your feet, I had picked up He uttered the words without nolse My little trick when the pi ‘ pb man, Rutherford watched his amas: siduously cultivated, for just such a clues to the Ballantyne estate in Paris or hurry, just with that dreadful, in- called up ite waralag voice! It was purpose as th! raised his weapon exorable’ purpose of his, that had made him feared in the world of buw- ine! He had stepped in front of her, and his hands clasped the soft roundness of her arms. She jerked away from him and retreated to the desk, preas- ing her hands upon it. “I'm coming up! I just arrived! Just a minute!” called her father’s voice from the hall. Helderman laughed, “Little white dove, when Sophie" “Then she the 4 not—good to me!” girl awid, with a little ery. weetheart, all women are trick- eters—and most men!” you think that Iam one?” “You could not help it if you tried, child—being a woman! But it was Sophie who first told me that your father had obtained possession of his blue buckle, It was Sophie who planned the attack upon your father in the streets of Paris, hoping to get conditions of the will f living nnder the our Sophie may have told you about that, but al cause she did not know, perhaps, the father has always watoae! over me, although in another part of the wy on there. To-ni all that you sata!” do you think s " it to-night.’ 4 “I'll trouble you for those papers of a reward from me! that I am to be fri ned b: dermaa, with a vivient start. é one of the apindle-legged chairs. ou f Helderman uttered these confes- childish tricks? Ta one tease ‘Yea. T think you have fuser ait wand WHAT be SALT" emappes the i haute les tae te the mebarranine Ms hand autnoritativety, ’ sions as calmly as though he were your father— on arriving; I am “The. , ' discussing the ‘y ather, Kite seemed Riready here. Sophie told me all room. “The smuggling case. I have revelations. It began to move, with Props} a word Helderman drew) - bent upon impr the girl with about him. Phonographs—eh? Con- The bankers keen eyes travelled traced your operations through sev- a allding noise, toward a corner of the pit envuope, from his pocket end his power, his pure He was not cealed in niches—eh! Worked by @ searcbingly over ‘Be room end the eral countries and over the past ten room. Its fellows moved also; and nly Lae Craig ‘“ afraid of ‘her. They were alene. If button. Now Sophie is gone, and dosk years”—— the table in the centre of the room, Titily # et 2 She repeated these confessions tO you are alone in the house, but fora | “The broken horn on that Rocky ing!" burat out the man im as if not wishing to be left behind, } 1) ah pad a sienrenee. even new, others he had but to deny. XGherannuated old soul who cannot Mountain goat 1s @ receiver,” she custody. “Crowder, you seem to for- accompanied them on the queer jour- SP MR eiectelyes Wht J “nie could Rillie was completely overwhelmed, count for much, Yet I do not want continued, interpreting his glance, get who I am, ney. Actuated by concealed panele jo io ore. en, + ani ie he midst of her depression to frighten you. I mean to win you, "The magnifier concealed there | 7 know all about that.” Interrupt and levers in the floor, they steadily “A&I! NO mores Oo en to ’ she remembered with a little pang dearest! You must come with me catches even the faintest whisper— ed Crowder, “and all about you.” procesde! until they had all taken 105 °on the arm, and , touching Chey that she had resented it when Cralg willingly! ae reine your nd et td in aren re neve ete peineae se great seals foocnaploupas pinees slong the wal for the ‘handouts pied ‘a carriad his point and had made father’s honor ts in your keeping!” in close to it! My father has lis- rej lerman, apparentily un- —leaving the stage cleared for the » vt pee itamitas the girl, iiis intuition : disco! by Crowders know! action of the moving picture been rung down’ upon. the seve her had been keener than hers the: then he could never have known how apparently devoted the girl was, how much she had meant in those days of anxiety and loneliness. “Sophie was in your employ, then Holderman jaughed ibut Are You Going Away for Vacation? When you go out of town for vacation you may find it Is difficult and costly to provide yourself with the right sort of reading "One cannot take too many precau- tions!" he said, matter. . “But vou did’ not come over on the Why send to the city for novels at $1.25 or $1.50 each or buy fame boat with ma bdcnige so want, | them at a fancy price in some country store? bine buckle! And you ell that You can supply yourself with the best, most delightful summer reading for six cents a’ week. Pus By subscribing to The Evening World for the rest of the summer “It was beth; T will be honest each time I saw you, it Was yon alone ) of whom F thought’ ‘The Inickle only J you will secure a complete nowel each week. Not some old book a represented en much mores atmey’ [country dealer has not been able to sell, but the finest up-to-date fiction fling it into the street again! It is | by the foremost living authors. only the means to an end--bue it Bear this in mind, not only for yourself but for any of friend: sh to nothing beside you, you, t ONT) y' y Of your friends ahrinks Into nothing beside your You Tay expect to spend their vacations in the country. It would be tmpossible to describe MYL LAP AUSTELL LLL SCOR I Next Week's Complete Novel in The Er ed Jewels—and a Dictograph ‘@ Ing stick and brought it down sharp- for Rutherford loves you sely assumed @ Co- She had purposely ‘she wae very ahe listened with my se- “I am going to tell Cia Gd talogs Ges, omy fasner we lor iny prvection, wher rt same root. did not tell you, evidently, be- He always listens to everytni it ys jsbt be bas beard “You do not meant”—— began Hel- re PS ote My By William Hamilton Osborne FOOO 10OOHOOOSTIHOOOO“OSIOHHHSHGHHOHEHHHOHHDHOOOOSHHHDHDHTOO tened at the other end of the wire, at window, It was just such « group of haa loiterers as might have been found been still another auditor—of a dit. there almost any evening—interested, tatiol ferent sez—who has probably been watching, as the onten' ue Anancter keenly interested in your story.” himeelt had planned. Craig glanced out to eee the cause of their interest, and gave a shout of amazement. Helderman otarted, stretched out his neck to see what © others saw, and swore @ succes- sion of good, round German oaths, Hi eprang up; but Crowder’s hand grip- ped his arm, and the muzgle of the detective's revolver insisted upon his wettli jut more decorously. “This time the gate is unlocked, and the dogs are not at large!” Ruth- erford observed. ly upon the prong of broken horn. It severed from the head, and a mana of insulated wire was expored. For an instant the man stood like @ beast at bay; then, recovering his amasing compoaure, he laughed scorntully. “I guoss your father won't hear anythin, se to-night!” he sneered. “He is over at the Monolith. It will take him half an hour to ret {ge that something is wrong with his real furniture white il for the piet white wall for moving screen—the Great Danes s onlookers from the window—to keep ; machine and to get he: ‘Much can , Helderman’s breath came in & sav- atrical distance—there another age aari. atroke of genius, to keep us all be done in half an hour! When he *Etsnott make but one effort to at- the dramatic—the thantrieal diane to gots here he will find an empty cage; his white bird will have flown. 1, my dear, are going with me! have sworn it! So come! He sprang toward her, pinning ber arms to her body with a single pow- erful sweep of one of his long arma. In his other hand he held a hand- kerchieé which, by a dexterous twist of the top of his cane, had become filled with the penetrating odor of chloroform. “It will not hurt you, sweetheart ‘he sald, pressing it gently over her terrified face. “Helderman!” The banker whirled around at wound of the Ruth- erford seized and jerked the hand- kerchief from his hand. Helderman ewittly thrust his hand Into an in- her pocket when another man, who had come up quietly behind him, 2 toned the arm with his own. It Crowder, the secret Lag ed tract attention and I'll wound you. I won't kill you; too many people want you alive!" Crowder warned, in @ low tone. Up the broad steps, along the mar- ble walks, tortured by what he gazed at but had no power to prevent, the master of all this wealth and mag- pificence matoehed with his captors. A liveried servant opened the door, Holderman muttered the oath he dared not speak. The other two hur- ried him toward the m: rious look- ing door of the big white room. It opened, and the next moment they wore insids. Craig was ahead. For one startied @econd he stared at the other Hel- derman, the one he had seen pacing back and forth with characteristic gestures in the room, as he ap- roached the house with the real lelderman beside him. There on the amooth white wall of the room, opposite the broad win- dow, this other Helderman moved, every detail #o like the man who gtood chafing under Crowder’s grasp, that Craig’a eyes turned confusedly from the one to the other, as if to aanure his pussied vision that he ac- 80 we couldn't ead it is the mark I i § tj white wall shadow. Again the woman Ja! sound Keemed to rouse the man to superhumeo ant there in the shadows arms had worked silently apd ibly against thelr bonds, Now them wide, and the handcuffs the floor with aclang. Before the ret service man could recover ance from the sudden ceived Helderman was at Cralg sprang at bim aa were on the football fielé an@ tor break uteneelt loose, wo jm sel anne doge! Loose the yelled, It's up to you now, man, to gar your alibi!" the latter eaid, with grim satisfaction. “Release me!" commanded the banker, without making any physi- eal effort in hie own behalf. “1 ghall,” replied Crowder, suiting tually saw two men. action to the word. But with a “By all that's holy!” he burst out Pi! ak he enapped a handcuff on at last. “It's a moving picture!” wrist. eternal quickly, dored; Out of the eemi-gioom « beautiful face, contorted to @ mask of hate, mocked at him from the balcony, It was Irene Arany, taking @ cruel re- venge for Helderman’s change of heart. “An acomplice of yours, I believe, Helderman!" observed Crowder dryly. “Yes, abe hag turned the trick on him for some of his duplicity, with a two with a common object, the man in the middle, and he with @ dartin: gaze for everything great and email within his ran . of viaion. “You are making @ mistake,” said in, as the car rolled smooth- y from the curb; “a bad mis. are willing to take chances on al ed Crowder, “But 1 pretty fair case.” ounts?"" Jpon what shadow of uncertainty in her face ‘The look of hate bore with it a gleam of satisfaction. erman, with a scornful laugh. “Why, ho cannot even prove that I was out “What else, Crowder?” asked Held- eelf-posecesion with secret ad- Helderman, the real, ewore until He could do no worse than the miration. Helderman was playing ne was out of breath. would do, If he did not his carde to the end, and even the wrhere'’s where your picture man Luetfer is See top Be eueweree ie quizzically.| “You should have had him trained to swear too! could have fixed you up!" Enraged and humiliated beyond en- durance, Helderman flung bis man- acled hands wildly around, seeking to do this jeering detective bodily harm. Crowder quickly eluded him, and took advantage of his move to Jand bim tp Edison “You still do not seem to realize t what a tight box you are in, Mr. Hi derman,” he said. “But I may add that my own case, the one for the Government, on which I have been at work for several months, is prac- tleally complete, I expect to round eyes. z Helderman, shaking with o horror, sank’ back against the walt There was no arrogant, tri financier. Craig saw hie and instantly took advantage of it. % Picture trust. There will be no mere free shows up on the Drive to keep. some of us awake of nighta!" ‘ . 8 e * 6 It was somewhat late In the evening for a call; but Cralg Ruthe:Zord went up the steps of the West Tenth street house with the assurance of a victor. She was waiting for him, “How can I ever thank you enough for all you have done?’ she asked > timidly. 4 “Why, don't try to, little girl!” he sald, his eyes shining a looked down into her sweet, upturned “Bostdes, T don’t want—just thankal” I want you to like me better.” “Like you! Like you! LAke Craig! Why, you obstinate, verse, misunderstanding man! you-I always have loved away back in some other incaram.. tion! Don't Ly y There!—-—~ Do (THE END.) ry Crow: of the deception he had practiced in hia high financing. ‘It will be worth your while to consider what I would the noise!" exclaimed Craig. he able to do for you—tf you found “You're a wonder, Helderman’ {t conventent to be-—a bit careless. A said Crowder, with genuine admira- hundred thousand for you, Crowder, tion. “But you've over-reached your- and a clearance of the Ballantyne serif, You wanted the Ballantyne estate for you, Rutherford”—— money--heaven only knows when or “Not another word!” warned Crow- how you got on the Ballantyne trail for sharply. "This is what comes of --and the Bralne morsy, and the talking to a prisoner! Now you're amuxsiing money, and any money trying to add bribery to the list—eh?" you could lay your hands on, to keep Helderman aank back into his cor- you going; to pull you out of the ble ner, and made no further attempt to hol ‘our last enterprise got you argue. But his keen, black eyes were int never (dle, darting from aide to aide, “What enterprise?” asked Ruther- on the atern, set face of the two men, ford, when Helderman did not deign however, gave little encouragement, to reply. It was just half-past ten when the "A colossal moving picture trust, Nmousine drew up in front of the He'd have made it go, too, If we gateway to the mansion on the Drive. hadn't stopped his litte game, But it would have been a tight squeeze, A amall knot of idle promenadera had halted upon the sidewalk, and stood for even a real multi-millionaire, Hia intently waiching what was going on company had bought up hundreds of In the big room with the revealing shows, and had been running them “That's what happened when the Ughts were off. That's what made A NEW CRIME-ROMANCE BY THE MAN WHO WROTE HE IMMORTA The Thousandth Woman » E. W. Hornung, IZ ME STORIES Author of “RAFFLES,” Etc. ZIT CLI TOIT L “RAFFLES'