Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-12-01

Yes said Simmonds instantly, and
he opened drawer from which he
took a pistol and pair Of handouts.
"All right" be added. turning back
to US
That's good. Better have a lantern.
too. though"
Think 500"
He took down little dark lantern.
lighted it, tested it and put it In bis
pocket
"Now I'm ready. Have we far to
EoI"
"Oh. no; just across the street"
Simmonds started with astonish
ment
You don't mean the Narathon1" be
said
"Just that"
"But who is 1t we're going afterT'
"A fellow named Tremaine."
"Tremainer Simmonds' face grew
banker and banker. why. know
him He's been IN here to see me. lie
doesn't seem at az the kind OF fellow
who would
$50 no. cried Godfrey. 1T was you
who told him about the clippingsT'
Simmonds c0lored % the eyes.
"Who told YOU thatf" he stammered.
"No matter; IL didn't do any harm:
played right into our hands. tn fact
But YOU didn't show your usual per
spicacity there. Simmonds. That fel-
low is the most remarkable scoundrel
I've ever run across. Perhaps it's just
as well I never met him. or he'd have
hypnouzed me too Come along"
a..
doors.
do you know whether or not Mr.
Tremalne Is I'm his roomsT'' asked God
frey
Yes. sir; he went up about an hour
ago"
You have a key TO his door,"
"Nes. sir"
1--WE want YOU 20 20 up with Us and
open the door"
"Oh. Conner protested Higgins.
That's going IL pretty strong What's
Mr. Tremaiue doneT'
'No matter There's no use holding
of, Higgins. Slmm0nds here can place
you under arrest and force YOU 10 go."
Well. see here" said Higgins. turn
Ing a little pale. III you break ia on
him like that there's apt to be some
bullets hyln' around. He's hotheaded.
be is. / wish you'd excuse noe. Here's
the key. Why can't you open the door
yourselfT'
"Thatl do" assented Godfrey and
took the key.
We went softly up the stairs and
down the dimly lighted corridor TO
Tremaine's door We could see by the
transom that the room was dark.
II want 10 surprise him." whispered
Godfrey III he has two or three min
utes' warning he may be able 10 get
rid OF some evidence. He's probably
In bed. and we must get 10 the bed
room door without his hearing us
How does the bedroom door lie. Les
ter. with reference TO this oney'
straight ahead answered hoarse-
ly.
"All right" said Godfrey. Aud he
threw back the bolt and opened the
door.
The room was In absolute darkness
save for the dim stream OF light from
the hall. We entered cautiously, God
frey In the lead.
"Have your lantern ready. Sim.
monds." he whispered. And caught
the odor or heated metal as Simmonds
obeyed the order
Two. three. four steps we advanced,
feeling our way; then l heard star
tied cry from Godfrey; an instants
pause.
"Qulck, Simmonds. quickr' he cried
In stifed voice The lanternr'
Tnafupffr hrFrfave % If.rht
shot across the room. wavered. wag-
ged 10 and fro then settled upon God
rey bending above some shapeless OBJ
ject on the floor
What is it," / cried. running to
him, shivering with horror.
Its Tremaine." And he knelt on
the floor and stripped back the cloth
| ing from the breast. Hes dead" be
added after moment
"Deadl But why? HOwl"
He was in pajamas-I can see them
| yet-striped blue and white.
Then heard Godfrey's voice again.
MY Godr he was saying with an
accent OF utter horror. My God.
Bring the light closer. Simmondsv'
| / looked down too. The face was In
bright relief now-but was Il Tremainet
| Could IL be Tremalne. that staring.
distorted thing. with wide open mouth !
Then my eyes fell on the hand, clasped
| across the breast.
What is ity' / asked again inarticu
| lately, frozen with dread. What has
hRppened?"
| I saw Godfrey stand erect with a
sudden movement of loathing
It's The fer-de-lancev' he said
hoarsey. He's been bitten by Il
And it's still loose In the room some
wherer'