The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-10-09


partner. "NhO's 70 prevent It prGYF'
Il might" replied the bsronet, quietly,
" But Andrew Ferret may save me the trou-
blen
Royal started, and for a moment his face
showed by its look of fear that he had far
from any wish TO introduce himself 20 the
famous detective, but after a moment the
devilmeut, which ever since the night OF
his greatest crime, seemed growing IN him,
came 70 his aid.
$50 you play with edged tools, do you"
he SAID or rather sneeTed, "A wicked look
on his face which married the handsome
features as q red-hOt rod might have done.
ANDREW Ferret and the Rat, ne low
cred his voice discreetly, but his listener
started and felt cold sweat Of fear In every
limb, under one roof Jove itIl be sight
worth seengl Not stay! Miss such
chancel Where you lead, Sir Lawrence,
with another sneer at the uame-"I am
not afraid to follow. I will have a room
here. if I only share Mr. Ferret's.n
The baronet was silent for a moment,
catching at another straw as one had al
ready failed.
You will run your risk with Nellie" he
asked.
CAS- to that" returned Royal, with per-
feet sang froid, "as she cannot save you il
anything should bring things to light,
neither can she denouuce me-
1 ITO bIAL Olob CpNlA bhJ AASbAAAe1 Al N@tA5
to such clever adoption OF circumstances,
but he made one more effort.
"And with Leo Forester he asked.
II will trouble you later TO tell you the
means you used to hoodwink him, though
50 long as he doesn't know the truth they
are not of much consequence" said Royal,
plainly, however, not liking this last coup.
You still keep him In the house, thenp
"You yourself gave him the appoint
ment, ." replied the baronet, with malici~
GUS smile, such rs rarely dishgured his be-
nevolent face. Far from having any rea-
son to complain Of your choice, it is to his
able secretaryship that l owe so much credit
in the many affairs which are now pressed
upon me. 1t is we'll known what poor
hand l am with my pen, but society for
gives me that and my other little failings
on account of my deformities and my chart
ties. There was however, a striking diff
Guilty In the way of Mr.. Forester being my
scribe. His father might see and recognize
his handwriting. Fortunately, however,
the reason Of Leo's exile so long in a Ger
man college was that his mother was a nat
i've Of that country, which has lnstilled into
Mr.. Ferret great passion for every thing
connected with it. The letters, therefore,
which passed between them were rarely,
latterly never, In English, save, Of course,
the address. Leo's English writing is a fine
sloping nand, 50 we have judged that for
him to use broad pens, and slant the letters
backward, will be disguise enough against
any chance or accident. And such a dis
guise is far more etdcaciOus than you would
believe. Any communication, moreover,
between myself and Mr. Ferret l have my
self answered, for more reasons than one.
But as regards Leo and you. He more than
uspeCts you of evil IN the matter OF that
night. Would it be safe to"
"Bahl Let him suspect what he likes"
-.
and will defy me at his peril.n
More than ever convinced of the inadvisa-
bility of his late partners presence at this
crisis, Sir Lawrence Huntiugford, finding
all his peaceful objections of no use to dis
lodge him, was reused to cry what resolute
opposition would effect.
The move was a mistake.
The villain at once suspected some special
reason for his not being received into the
house, and inwardly cursed Madge's non
tuldlment of his orders TO play the spy
Not letter had he received from her dur
ing the whole time he had been away, so
that he was completely in the dark as to
the events which most concerned him, how
much, however, he did not guess.
De resolved at once to risk everything to
remain upon the scene Of action, not how
ever TO indulge In his idea Of plucking the
bRronet's friends, because of Mr.. Ferret's
q
when he hoped to see most of the game.
"See now, Sir Lawrence" he said coollY,
but with an air OF resolution there was no
mistskiuR. at is knife we're playing
with. It's a question who's got the blade
and who the handle. Hold on as we are
and we're both safe. Fight, and one of us
Is bound TO cut his fingers. The chances are
even 50 far, but y0u are losing nerve
while II swear to you'll may be swing
ing job yet-and I'll save my neck ab any
cOsp-yes, if not Of yours-Of the lad's.n
This last threat entirely swept away ell
the Rats resolution.
Danger to Leo meant danger to Nell, and
that, come what may, must be avoided
At once he gave up all signs Of opposi-
ton, nay, IN his fear became so humble
that Royal, deemiug his mood a profitable
one, nearly betrayed an idea
which had been in his mind
some time, but which even now
he felt involved plan In which there were
difficulties almost entirely insurmountable.
He began by announcing his intention of
giving up his late life aud turning his at
tention and talents to better and worthier
account He did not talk cant, but put the
matter in plain light. seemingly sincere in
his determination to try, like the Rat, to
make new start in life.
Sir Lawrence listened in surprise but re-
lnembering his own intention to be quit Of
the old dark trade, could scarcely scott at
his partners taking the same road, es-
uecialy when the horrible sin of which he
was guilty must weigh so heavily upon
him.
"Ifthere is anything in my power 1 can
do" be said, silencing the voice within him
which babe him be warned most of all
against this mood of Royals, "to help you
to make the effort, l will do it only too will
iugly.n
lie might have recalled his offer if he had
seen the look upon his partners face as he
asked quickly.
"AnythingF
As it was. the baronet's eyes were turned
absently to the window, at which ne ex-
pectsd Leo and Nellie every moment to ap-
pear, when Royal must learn of the ap-
preaching marriage, flct which, inexplio-
ably as ever, the father felt would not quite
meet with his approval.
his reply followed somewhat this train Of
thought, giving Royal indeed a fuller
answer to his question than he had quite ex-
pected, or than the speaker dreamed.
Yes anything, save one thing. And
that-what concerns my child. Ask any
thing but what touches her or her hRppi-
ness, and 1t is yours. One item which di-
rectly or indirectly concerns her happiness
and refuse. Aye, If / hang for this crime
even. So warn you, Ralph Royan-still
urged on by those same strange underlined
fears-'you may or may not be sincere in
VOur wish m oive nm the old life. at laast I