Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-03-10

my teeth at his side. had thrown my
self into the game, and it was obvious
ly a winning one.
wouldn't take share, / supposeT
Lord Ernest said casually.
Rafes did not condescend to reply.
/ rolled back my lips like a bull pup.
"Then drink at least!'
My mouth watered, but Rallies shook
his head impatiently.
1--WE must be going, my lord, and you
will have to come with u.s."
/ wondered what in the world we
should do with him when we had got
him.
Give me time to put some things to-
gether i pair Of pajamas and tooth
brush, don't you know"
81 cannot give you many minutes,
my lord, bat I don't want to cause
disturbance here, so I'll tell them 10
call a cab IL you like, but j shall he
back in a minute and you must be
ready in five Here, inspector. you'd
better keep this while / am gone"
And 1 was left alone with that dam
gerous criminal. Rallies nipped my
arm as he handed me the revolver, but
/ got small comfort out of that
".Sea green incorruptibleT" inquir-
ed Lord Ernest as we stood face to
face.
You don't corrupt me-" i replied
through naked teeth.
Then come into my room. I'll lead
the way. Think you can hit me IL I
miSbehaveT'
l put the bed between us without a
seconds delay. My prisoner flung
suit case upon il and tossed things into
it with a detected air. Suddenly, as
he was fitting them in, without raising
his head, which 1 was watching. his
right hand closed over the barrel with
which covered him.
You'd better not shoot" he said, a
knee upon his side of the bed. IF you
do it may be as bad for you as It VIII
be for me!'
/ tried to wrest the revolver from
him.
Il will if you force me.'' Kissed.
You'd better not" he repeated. smil-
ing, and NOW / saw that IL l did L
should only shoot into the bed or my
own legs. His hand was on the top OF
mine, bending it down, and the re-
volver with it, The strength OF IL
was as the strength Of ten of mine. and
now both his knees were on the bed,
and suddenly / saw his other hand,
doHbled into q fist coming up slowly
over the suit case"
Help i called feebly.
Help, forsooth! 1 begin to believe
you are from the Yard" he said and
his uppercut came with the yard" IL
caught me under the chin. 1t lifted me
off my legs. have a dim recollection
of the crash that l made in falling.
Raffies was standing over me when |
recovered consciousness. / lay stretch
ed upon the bed across which that
bIackguard Belville had struck his
knavish blow. The suit case was on
the floor, but its dastardly owner had
disappeared.
lis he gomez" was my first faint ques-
ton.
THANK God you're not anyway" re-
piled Raffles, with what struck me then
as mere fiippancy. ! managed to raise
myself upon one elbow.
81 meant Lord Ernest Belvilie." said
/, with dignity. Are you quite sure
that he's cleared outT'
Rallies waved. a hand toward the
window, which stood wide open TO the
summer stars.
"Of course" said he, "and by the
route intended him TO take-he's gone
by the iron ladder. as hoped he would.
What on earth should we have done
with him? My poor. dear Bunny, /
thought you'd take n bride! But it's
really more convincing as it is and Just
as well for Lord Ernest to be con-
WINGED for the time being"
Are you sure he isT''I questioned
as found a rather shaky pair OF legs.
"Of course" cried Raffies again I'm
the tone TO make one blush for the least
misgiving on the point. Not that 10
matters one bit" he added airily, for
we have him either way, and when he
does tumble TO it. rs he may any min
ute. he won't dare to open his mouth"
Then the sooner we clear out the
better" said /, but looked askance at
the open window, for my head was
spinning sill.
when you feel UP te it," returned
Raffies, 1--WE shall stroll out, and l
shall do myself the honor of ringing for
the lift. The force of habit is too
strong in you, Bunny. 1 shall shut the
window and leave everything exactly
as we found it, Lord Ernest will prob
ably tumble before he is badly missed,
but then he may come back TO put salt
on us. But should like to know what
he can do even If he succeeds! Come,
Bunny, pull yourself together, and
you'll be a different man when you're
in the open air.
And for awhile felt one, such was
my relief at getting out Of those infer
nal mansions with unfettered wrists.
This we managed easily enough, but
once more Rallies performance OF a
small part was no less perfect than his
more Ambitious work upstairs, and
something of the successful artists