Los Angeles herald., 1907-02-24

I4k0NM brothers friends are bGsy ciseWner''
S@e9 gather that the ettor is urgent; that
being the case | shall be chosen to
take it, You see ! am supposed TO know moth
ing whatever about it. | shall be able TO SCI,
Miss Darryl myself"
"Very WE'LL" he said Under the crcum.
stances ! am to write that letter with the UNI
aerstanding that you arc going to convey it to
It's destination and warn Miss Darryll But you
must do more than that, Mary. 1t is impossible
that i remain prisoner here like this.
After you have seen Miss Darryll you are to go
down to Scotland Yard and ask for an interview
with Inspector Field Tell him where | am to
be found and -"
ooh, cannot, Philip, dearest" came the trem-
bling whisper. "My own brother -"
who has been the curse of your life and
mine' Bennington said sterny what do you
suppose you gain by standing by him in this fash
ion? Sooner or later he must come within grip
Of the law, and so all your sufferngs will be fu
tile. If there was anything to gain by this self
sacrifice would say nothing. But to spoil your
life for a scoundrel like that -"
Don't say it, Phil" Marys voice pleaded
"Please don't say it. If you love me as you once
seemed to do, have little patience"
All the anger melted out of Berringtons heart
He had intended to be hard and stern, but that
gentle pleading voice softened him at once.
IL love you now as I loved you in the happy
years gone by." he said. Indeed, / love you
more for know how you have suffered, dearest
Mind you, am not afraid So i will write the
letter and you shall deliver it when you please.
What is thatW
There was a sudden commotion at the far end
Of the speaking tube, and something like the
sound of wheels. Bennington bent his head eag-
ery to listen.
'Is there anybody there?" he asked
"My brother is coming back" Mary said in
voice so faint that Bennington could hardly catch
the words. 81 must fly"
The whistle was clapped to, and the con-
versation ended Bennington took the pen and
began to write the letter.
The speaking tube was going again, for the
whistle trilled shrlly. Sartoris was at the other
end again; he seemed to be on very good terms
with himself.
..What about that letter." he asked Have
you changed your mind yet? Solitary confine-
ment worked sufficiently your nerves yet? Not
that there's any hurry
"What shall gain if write the letter." Ber-
rington asked.
"Gain! Why, nothing. The cards are all in
my hands, and play them as please. For the
present you are a prisoner, and for the present
you stav where you are But thing for your
comfort The sooner that letter is written and
dispatched, the sooner you will be free again. If
YOU don't write that letter shall have to forge
It. and that takes time. Also longer detention
of your handsome person. If you consent to
forty hours Don't address the envelope"
Bennington checked desire to fling the sug-
gestion back in the speakers teeth. But 1t was
no time for feeling of that kind.
II admit the defeat of the moment" he said.
81 will write that letter at once. But look to
yourself when my time comes.
The letter was finished and sealed at length,
and pushed under the door Sartoris had direct
ed A little later and there came the sound of
a footstep outside and gentle scratching on the
door panel.
stantly guessing who 1t was nave you '0nie
for the letter." ~
eyes. have" was the whispered reply. my
brother could not manage to get up the stairs
He has one of his very bad attacks today. lie
has not the least idea that know anything.
He said he dropped unaddressed letter on this
landing last night, and ne asked me 10 tetch IT,
] dare not stay minute -.
"Don't 90, quite yet" Bennington pleaded. II
have had a brilliant idea. ! can't stop to tell
YOU what it is just now. The switch of the elec-
trio light has been removed from here. Can you
tell me where I can find it?'
"You want more light?' Mary asked. we'll
n ;s little dreary in there with only lamp,
The switch was taken off some time ago when
the walls were being done, and the electricians
forgot to replace it. 1t is somewhere in the
room. for recollect seeing it. But unless you
understand that kind of work -
"Oh, soldiers understand something OF every
thing" said Bennington cheerfully. Il shall be
able to manage no doubt. / won't detain you
any longer"
Mary slipped away. and Bennington commenc-
cd to make a careful search of the room. He
found what he wanted presently, in little blue
cup on the overmantel, and in few minutes he
had fixed the switch to the wall. As he pressed
the little brass stud down, the room was food
ed with brilliant light.
ss'Thare'a some comfort being able to see. at
any rate" Bennington reflected. "It's ten chances
to one that my little scheme does not come off,
vet the tenth chance may work in my favor I'll
wait till it gets dark-no uses trying it before. "
Bennington dozed off in his chair, and soon fell
into a profound sleep. When he came to him
self again. a clock somewhere was striking the
hour of eleven. There was no stream of light
through the little round ventilator in the shut
ter, so that Bennington did not need to be told
that the hour was eleven o'clock at night.
''By Jove, what time I've slept" the soldier
muttered whats that?"
Loud voices downstairs voices of men quar-
reling Bennington pulled the whistle out of the
tube and listened Someone had removed the
whistle from the other end, or else it had been
left out by accident, for the sound came quite
clear and distinct
It was the voice of Sartoris that was speaking
voice like snarng dog.
81 tell you you are wrong" Sartoris said "You
tried to fool me, and when We make use Of you
and get the better of you, then you whine like q
cur that is whipped. Don't imagine that you
''My wife has nothing to do with the case" the
other man said, $50 leave her out"
Berringtons heart was beating a little faster
aa he Glued hiq ear m tha tuha He did moi