The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1905-05-08

turn OF fortunes wheel had passed,
questioned Richards closely and
ascertalned that the rascal. after
assuring himself that I Was actual
~ asleep, had hidden my pistols
and then oropt out into the streets.
lie had hurried 10 the houses Of
kmoat Of my LADY friends 10 imploro
| their assistance In preserving my
/ life. but tho early hour had defeat
cd his affactlonats intentions. In
every case he had been denied al
mission. and, finally driven deaper-
ate. he had aeeosted half score Of
strangers in the streets. These
must have taen him for a drunken
maniac. for they generally refused
] 20 hearken 10 HIS appeal. all nave
Meulaor. who Immediately. on
4 hearing my name. heartily agreed
20 my lHokev'a proposition and
made bis way az top speed to my
rooms. Beyond this Richards
knew nothing Of the man. and the
I encounter and subsequent adyeu-
ture were the outcome of pureaf
chance. II was a golden chance for
me. however. and I found IL hard 20
/ credit. that so great sum was ae-
tuaiiy In my possession. | break
faated that morning with as light n
heart as any man In the kingdom.
then having sent Richards on a
message. / concealed tho bulk Of
the notes In a hiding place 40 Gun
ninely coutrivod that I would have
deflod Vidocq himself 10 discover
H.
At mon. precisely. | waited upon
Lord Francis Eveston AZ hia rooms
IN Oxford street A dozen gentle
men were lounEing there slipping a
new liquor called whisky. which
was already achieving popularity
b. reason Of tie capacity for pro-
dueink intoxieation by express. A
beaatlY drapEht. call II. and unfit.
ted 90 plneate a refined palate. ex-
aiding as It does. moreover. a nox-
loas odor % stale breath.
Lord Francis. Who was fencing
behind a mask with Edgerton Bali
81 Of the 10th Husaara. called - ma
over his shoulder as I entered
Z have been waiting Tor yOu.
Franks. pour yourself out a glass
Of whisky"
Now II seemed 20 me that was
punetnal enough considering the
hour had not commenced 10 chime.
mo. thank you" ! murmured.
"hat please inform me the reason
OF your expectation. II Is not yet
the hour. did yoa permit yourself
10 suppose thai ! would fail yuuf
Ny words and my fruwa brought
the fencing 90 an abrupt conclu.
ton.
"By no means. my dear fellow. .
cried Eveston. with absurd haste.
Damn the money The fact Is
have news for you
| raised my eyebrows shrugged
ny shoulders. and dreW from ny
pocket six hundred pounds 4 pre-
sumo you have no Dblectian % be-
inK paid ia government notes" I
suggested. hut I MAS utterly uu-
prepared for the sensation my ac-
ton caused.
The whole party clustered round
me and stared AZ the notes as Il
they we're the only documents d
that natnru In the world.
Good heavens" cried Bailey.
trembling with excitement Just
as Be said
Good Goa," gaapod Eveat0n.
"Nhaf DO you mean. HirT" I de-
manded sterniY Are you noi sat
iafisdY Here l. your money"
hut EveEton tell back aud refused
10 touch the notes. and the crowd
gapsd AZ me a. though ! had been
suddenly transformed into n mon
ater.
A thousand thoughts and Hnapie-
ious fliltcd through my brain. A
nameleas fear assaulted my heart |
felt ! waa trembling ca tho brink
% a pfeciplee. but I had been too
long n gambler 20 allow a trace OF
my emotion 10 appear
What IN tae meaning ot this I'm
suit" demanded. my hand on my
sword. and shooting a glance at
each IN turn.
Ny gesture was unmisfakable.
and fla;ter myself can always
assume an expression formidable