Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-04-05

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siblv q bed
Nothing very mysterious or awe
inspiring about 81 Middle Street. yee
the barrister was 10th 10 leave the
place. The scent of the chase was IN
his nostrfls He had found"
lie was tempted 10 boldly an
| proach and frame some excuse a
hunt FOR lodgings, an inquiry for q
missing friend, anything TO gain adj
mittnnce and learn something hove
ever meager in result, Of the occu-
pants.
He reviewed the facts calmly. To
attempt. at such an hour. to CLEAN
Information from the sharp-tongued
young person who had Just admitted
| herself with a latchkey. was TO court
failure and suspicion He must bidn
his time. Winter was an adept in fer
reting out facts concerning these To-
calities and their denizens To Win.
| ter the inquiry must be left.
| He stopped at the further end OF
the street. lit cigar, and walked
| back.
He had again passed No. 81. CIV
Ing casual glance to the second
/ noor front window, In which a light
| illumined the blind, when ne became
aware that a man was approaching
from the Remington Park Road.
OTHERWISE the street was empty.
The lamp opposite No 81 did NOT
/ throw Us beams far into the gloom.
( but the advancing figure instantly
enlisted Brett's attention.
The man was tall and strongly
| built. He moved with the ease OF ar
athlete He walked with a long.
swinging stride, yet carried himsel,
erect. He was attired In navy blu.
serge suit and bowler hat
The two were rapidly nearing each
other.
At ten yeards' distance Brett knew
that the other man was he whom he
sought, the murderer OF Sir Alan
| Hume Frazer, the human ogre whose
mission on earth seemed TO be thu
extinction Of all who bore that fated
name.
II is idle to deny that Brett wa,
startled by this unexpected renconter.
Not until he made the discovery did
he remember that he was carrying
the stick rescued from the mud o,
northumberland Avenue
The knowledge gave him an addi-
tional thrill. Though he could he
cool enough IN exciting circum-
stances. though his quiet courage
had more than once saved his life in
moments of extreme peril, though
| physically he was more than able &c
! hold his own with, say, the average
/ professional boxer. he fully under
stood that the individual now about
to pass within stride could kill him
with ridiculous ease
Would this dangerous parsonage
recognize his own stick that wsE
the question.
/ II he did Brett could already sea
himself describing a parabola in the
air. could hear HIS skull crashing
against the pavement He even went
so far as 70 sit with the coroner's
Jury and bring In a verdict Of "Ac-
cidental Death"
In no sense did Brett exaggerata
the risk he encountered The indi~
vidual who could stab Sir Alan TO
death with knife like toy. hurl a
stalwart sailor into the middle OF a
street without percepuble effort, and
bring down horse and cab at the
precise instant and in the exact spot
determined upon after seconds
thought. was no ordinary opponent
Their eyes met
Truly a Notwithstanding Hume
Frazer, a Satanic impersonation Of
/ fine human type For the frst and
only time In his life Brett regretted
that he did not carry a revolver when
engaged in his semi-professionai az
fairs
They passed.
Brett swung the stick carelessly n
his left hand, but not so carelessly
that on the least sign Of a hostile
movement he would be unable 20
dash IT viciously AZ his possible adj
versary's eyes.
He remembered the advice OF an
old cavalry officer: Always give EN-
the point between the eyes They
come head first. and you reach 'em
az the earliest moment"
Nevertheless. he experienced
quick CULVER down his spine wher
the other man deliberately stopped
and looked after him. He did not
turn his head. but he could feel"
that vicious glance travelling over
him. could hear the unspoken ques-
ton. Nov. I wonder who you are,
and what you want here!"
He staggered slightly. recovered
his balance and went on. 1t was a
masterpiece OF suggestiveness, not
overdone, mere wink OF intoxica-
ton, as It were.
It suficed Such an explanation
accounts for many things In London.
The watcher resumed his inter
rupted progress. Brett crossed the
street and deliberately knocked at
the door OF house In which the
ground fioor was Illuminated.
Someone peeped through a blind.
the door opened AZ far as rafting
chain would permit.
Good evening" said Brett
What do you want" demanded
a suspicious woman.
Mr.. smith-Mr. Horatio Smith"
NE doesn't live here"
Dear me, Isn't this 1S Middle