The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-25
CHAPTER W. Continued.

tho great schOlar.
But" sle continued, you know me-
and you know that emit go on unless
/ have what want all the time. And
] want lot too. n you can't give Ii
me. Bob II must be Some one else
that's all. Captain Parker's ready to
do anything, any tine. Hes almost q
millionaire. YOU know. Can't you raise
any 'oof anyhow? n I'd a thousand AT
once. and another In n week or two,
could manage for n bit. But must
have Il rIvcr-house Mt Shepperton. That
cat, Lulu Wallace. has one. and an cleo
tric launch and all. What about your
German friend-the NJ p? He's got
tons of stun. Touch him for bit
more
,Hnd lette from him this after
room" said I.lwellyp. with n demand
for about fourteen thousand that owe
him now. Threatens to sell me out. But
there was something which looked
brighter a, the end OF the letter. though
couldn't quite make out what he was
driving at
What WAS that?
THE tone or the letter changed. 1t
had been nasty before. He said that
] could do him n service for which he
would not only wipe out the old debt
but for which l could get a lot more
money
you'll go 10 him nj once. Bob. won't
you?"
II suppose must. There's no way
out OF 1t. can't think. though. how
can do him any service. He's a-dab-
bier. an amateur in my own work. but
he's not going TO pay a good many thous-
ands for any help In that
Let 1t alone Till you find out, she
said. with the instructive dislike OF her
class to the prolonged discussion OF any
thing unpleasant. She got up and rang
the bell for her maid and supper.
For some reason LlweIlyn could eat
nothing. A weight oppressed him--a
pressage OF danger and disaster. The
tinspeakable mental torrents that the
vicious man who Is highly educated I'M
dergocs-torments which assatl him in
the very act and article OF his pleasures
have never ben adequately described.
What frail structure his honours
end positions were" he thought as the
woman chatted OF the couissest and
tic blackguard news of the deml-
monde. His lndulgent life had acted
on the Professor With a dire physical
effect His nerves were unstrung and ne
he became ch.idishly superstitious The
slightest hint of misfortune set his brain
tiirobbng with horrid fear. The spec
tire OF overwhelming disaster was always
waiting. and he could not exercise II.
The two accidental and trivial facts
that the knives at his place were crossed,
and that he split the salt as he was pass
ing 1t to his mistress. set him crossing
himself with nervous rapidly.
The girl laughed ut him. but she was
Interested nevertheless. For the moment
they were on an intellectual level He
explained that the sign OF the Cross
was said 10 avert misfortune, and she
tnitHfer him clumsily.
Llwellyn thought nothing OF 1t at the
time. but the meaningless travesty came
back afterwards when he thought over
that eventfui night.
surely the holy sign of Gods PAIN
NILS never so degraded as now
Their conversation grew itful and
strained. The woman was physically
tired by her work at the theatre, and
the dark cloud OF menace crept more
rapidly into the mans brain. The hour
grew late. AT last Llwelyn rose to
20.
You'll get the cash somehow, dear.
won't your she said with tired eager
mss.
Yes. yes. Gertie," he replied. II sup
pose ] can get 1t somehow. III get home
now. II it's clear night shall walk
home. I'm deprcssed-its liver, suppose
and L need exercise"
No, I've had two, and 1 can't take
spirits at this time
He went out with perfunctory and
unintcrested kiss. She came to the arch
way with him.
London was now quite silent in its
most mysterious and curious hour. The
streets were deserted. but brilliantly lit
by the long row OF lamps.
They stood talking for a fnbment or
two in the quadrangle.
Queer" she said; queer, isn't il,
just now? 1 walked back from the Cow
en-, Garden ball once AT this time.
Makes you feel lonesome. Well. so
long, Bob. shall have hot bath and
go to bed
The Professors feet echoed loudly on
the flags as he. approached the open
space Never had he seemed to hear the
noises of his own progress SO clearly
before. 1t was disconcertins, and empha-
sized the fact of his sole movement in
this lighted city of the dead.
on the island In tho centre of inc cross
roads he suddenly caught sisnt OF a tail
policeman standing motionless under a
lamp. The fellow SCENE a figure OF me-
tai hypnotized by the silence.
Llwellyn walked EDWARDS. when, just
as he was passing the Oxford Music
Hall. he became conscious of quick foot
steps behind him. Ho turned quickly. and
man came UP. He wrNASs middle size
with polite, watchful eyes and clean
shaven.
The stranger put his hand into the
pocket of his neat, unobtrusive black
overooat and drew out a letter.
For you. sir" he said in calm. oroi-
nary tones
Tho professor stared at him in I'M
comfortable surprise and took the en-
velope. opening 1t under a lamp. This
was the note. He recognized the hand
writing ut once. \
'IIotel Cecil.
Dear Llwellyn,--Kindly excuse the
audiences Of my request and come
down to the Cecil with my valet. 1
have sent him to meet you. want to
settle our business tonight. and I am
certain that we shall be able to make
some satisfactory arrangement, know
you do not go to bed early.-Most sim
cerely yours.
CONSTANTINE SCHUAD-a."
"This is a very sudden request" he
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