Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-12-26
CHAPTER Ill.
1 FIGHT FOR MY LIFE.


You've made a mess of it, Marten,
haven't your said a voice behind me.
and, turning, l saw framed in the door
way tall, clean-shaven man. He was
holding the very brown bag which had
been handed to him in my presence
only an hour ago, but had he been
without it l should have known that he
was the newly appointed councillor.
One surprise had succeeded another
so rapidly on this eventful evening
that was less taken aback than might
have been expected. And now that l
knew how inscriptions was the man
! was dealing with, and what was the
errand that brought him there, real
tzed at once that, naked and unarmed
as l was, should have to play my
cards very carefully If l was to get out
of the business alive. My only chance
lay, so it seemed to me, in keeping up
the role that had been thrust upon me.
So when the new arrival said, you've
made a mess OF it, Marten, haven't
your" l replied as naturally as If had
q answered to tbs name Marten all my
life.
YES" l said YEARLY, 81 suppose, as
you say, I've made a mess of it. But,
since you seem to know me, call you
= to witness that l laid no finger on
the man"
WELL" said Number Seven, "all
know of the business is, that 1 had
only just set foot on the yachts deck
when some one screeched out In the
cabin. / hurried down as fast as 1
could, but was only in time to see our
friend here throw up his >rms and fall
back. I'll stand by you if anything
comes of It, however, and will swear
= that you didn't lay hands on him.
But l know why he sent for you to
come here tonight, and what it was
he meant telling you; so before we
go any farther I'd like to know how
much he has told you and how much
he hasn't. You needn't be afraid to
speak out, for l was in his confidence;
besides, l know as much of the mat
ter as he did, and can very likely put
you right on a point or two"
The fellows motives in trying to
wheedle me into telling him what had
passed between the dead man and my
self were not difficult to diagnose. He
knew that Inspector Marten had prom
Used to visit the yacht that night, and,
finding me there, he had not unnatu-
rally concluded that | was the willy in
spector, and that l had in some way
contrived to outwit the scoundrels who
had been so confident of their ability
to prevent the visit from taking place
If Councillor Number Seven could sat
fSfy hof
had been made to me by the dea5: nan,
he would not trouble himself greatly
ABOUT my movements; but if, on the
contrary, he had reason to believe
that had been made acquainted with
the facts concerning the syndicate, he
would at once decide that l must not
leave the yacht alive. The villain had
come there prepared to murder, and
he was not likely TO stick at a tribe
when his neck and the necks Of his
fellow-conspirators were in danger.
oh" l said, there isn't much to
tell. had only just arrived here a few
minutes, and our friend there had told
me nothing of the business about
which he had summoned me. I swan
out TO the yacht, as you see, instead
of coming in a boat"
why did you do that?" interrupted
Councillor Number Seven, sharply.
Why did do that?" repeated after
him, so that / might have a moment
or two's grace in which to frame some
plausible explanation 'Why? Obi
only because / thought / could slip
away from the shore unnoticed if I
might attract attention"
1t was an indiscreet answer, for NV
companion evidently interpreted il as
meaning that / was not altogether I'M
aware OF the fact that steps were to
have been taken by the syndicate to
prevent Inspector Marten from paving
his promised visit.
But why should you suppose Won
were being watched at Southend?" he
answered, suspiciously.
Il didn't suppose" | answered: .J
only wanted to guard against observa- |
tlon But, as / was saying when Won |
interrupted me, / swan out instead of |
rowing, and, being a bit cold after the |
long swim, i asked our host there TO
give me drink before we got to busi-
ness He gave me one and was going
10 help himself. when suddenly, with
out word OF warning, he jumped I'D
As II to make murderous attack upon
me, and then fell dead, as you saw.
killed by his own fury However.
mere 1t is, and ii can't be helped. so
now think / will bid you goodnight
and get ashore"
NOT without drink. at all events"
'ald the councillor, with a singularly
nlrthiess smile. This is really a most
Unfortunate and unhappy affair. al
hough I'm not a bit surprised at the
sequel. for I've warned our friend there
lot once, but a dozen times. that his
'assion would cost him his life ons
lay But he was a hospitabIe man.
ma. as his friend. l stand In the place !,
Il most TO you; so you must allow me &
o DO the honors." 4