Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-09-15

stones just now.
He waited for about i've minutes, and then
a curious thing happened.
The stable lamp which he had hung
from a projecting knob about two feet
above the ground, began to burn dim, and
presently went out. He struck a match to
reiight 1t, but when he had turned. up the
wick Of the lamp and brought the match
down to 1t, the match itself went out. 1t
was not only against his partner that
Gauger Black was capable of unexpected
treachery!
Eustace's head was aching badly. but not
quite so badly as 1t did before the CONVEX
sation with Black began. Suddenly he re-
membered that the headache had grown
better when he stood up, and had come on
first when he sat down to rest. He began
to see possible reasons for this. He took
the lamp Off its knob. raised 1t to the
level of his own chest and tired ag iin. TIL s
easily.
The headache was explained 1t was the
trump card which Black had kept up his
sleeve for emergency!
The part Of the tunnel in which Eustace
mad Deen working was. so far as he knew,
the lowest From this point the floor rose
slightly to the flight of steps in the re-
fectory wall. If he retreated at once he
could soon get out of the reach Of the
noxious fumes which since they kept low
ne guessed to be carbonic acid gas
But was Black directing the flow of these
fumes? Probably; but Eustace wanted to
De sure The question was at any rate suf-
hciently interesting to justify the risk of a
few moments more delay.
L say he shouted Are you still
there?"
yes came the answer at once. want to
change your mind and deal after alI?''
''Oh. no, I've said my last word there"
You're a fool. then, You might have me
on your side. If you refuse it means that
you've got the two of us against you, in
stead of Wiseman alone. You won't find
that healthy"
Eustace put sleepy drawl into his voice
as he answered:
Aren't you going to bolt then? Thought
you said you would have tor
Black detected the drawl, and began him
self to speak more slowly To Eustace 1t
sounded as though he spoke simply to
waste time. The inference was obvious
No. l shan't bolt yet" he said. Plenty
OF time for that when you know bit more
than you do! You've only got guesses to go
by as yet. I wanted to come to terms with
you because don't like being violent. How
ever, you've refused. Dare say 1t will pay
me better to fight, after ALL"
Eustace yawned aloud, and asked:
Eth! How's that?"
Because, said Black "a paltry thousa nd
isn't going to represent my share of the
plunder. You've guessed what the game is,
Of course. I'm not harming anybody
when l tell you it's on big enough scale
to make both Wiseman and me willing to
take risk or two. Man, I've been at it
for three years, and Wiseman for SEVEN
and we haven't begun to take our profits
yet. But our arrangements are all COM
plete for taking them, and the next six or
eight months should see us clear Do you
think We are going to let you stop US now
merely because we have scruples? You can
take what I'm saying as a warning if you
like. ! don't often give one"
And would not now" commented Eus-
tace to himself, IF you thought it would
be acted on. Nor would you tell me so
nj ipk ynt,
my using your admissions" And aloud he
said; 'Oh, that's all right! Very generous
of you. III be as generous and offer warn
ing for warning. Do you know I'm feeling
uncommonly sleepy? Don't know what
it is, but ! don't think 1 can do anything
more till I've had a rest. That's what /
wanted to warn you about-see?"
Shall | take message up to the abbey
for you?" asked Black. And Eustace, lis
tening for some indicatio in the mans
tone, thought that he detected a distinct
ring of triumph.
NO, thanks. I'm afraid that wouldn't
be any good. You I've told them to act
on my written message I'm sorry in a way.
because it hurries things more than l
meant; and the police are always nui-
sance"'
THE poicerr came the answer ba ~.
quickly. and this time the note was of
alarm and not of triumph what have
they got to do with it?"
Eustace kept up the pretense.
how sleepy l am. Well you see. / left
word that-if l wasn't in to lunch they were
to fetch the police and raid your place.
Beastly nuisance for you. of coursei" And
again he finished with a loud yawn
Look here, came the saw-like tones
through the barrier, sharp and incisve
now. and sounding wonderfully near. Lis
ten to me! Are you sitting DOWN.
Beastly uncomfortable seat it is, too!
say, though. hadn't you better hurry up
and bolt? l suppose you won't bother to
warn Wiseman?'
stand up" came the command, sharp
and clear
Eustace smiled He had expected it. but
he played the farce out little further
En- he said. What q nuisance Won
are Don't think l want to-
IF you go to sleep now you maynt wake
again. Stand up, you fool! Are you up?
Right! Now get your face up near the
roof and take half a dozen big breaths
and when you've done that make haste out
of the tunnel. Don't stoop down to pick
up your lamp or anything else"
Eustace laughed out loud this time. and
answered in his natural voice without the
affectation of sleepiness.
Don't be anxious" he said mockingly.
"I-shall get back to lunch all right, so the
police won't come just yet To tell you
the truth. l am not quite ready myself yet
for their arrival. OF course | took the
precautions you suggest minutes ago; 1
saw they would be necessary. But I'm
the Information
Blacks answer was another curse. and
then, Unexpectedly. laugh.
you've done me again, confound you"
"Oh, yes," said Eustace. and then added:
IF | can be of any assistance In making
up the amount of passage money to Brazil
or Japan, count on me for a few pounds.
/ always like to pay for my fun!
And with that parting shot he held his
lamp before him and made all the haste
he could to the upper air. The duel in the
tunnel had ended in his favor: but he did
not make the mistake of thinking that 1t
would be conclusive. His adversary would
try again; indeed, could not afford not to
try again; and next time the result might
be different $50
But sufficient for the hour Is It's victory.
Eustace was inclined. therefore, to be sat
isfed with his mornings work.
But there are other kinds Of accidents
besides poisoning by carbonic acid fumes"
he muttered. and I fancy friend Black
will try some Of them. Well. there Is
some advantage in having had a warning
that does not admit of doubtv