Evening star., 1907-10-19

explained. There is one thing l will
vouch for-if you hadn't been coming into
the garden that dog would never have
touched you. 1t is no business of mine
to ask what you doing here. for I
don't suppose you would tell me If did.
However, 1t seems to me-
mo, but 1 can tell you" Venables put
in. This, Lord Ravenspur, is the man
quest on Louis Delahay. He was the man
who saw Mrs. Delahay with her husband
in FftZjohn Square that morning He
knows Waldo exceedingly well, and no
doubt he is down here on the latter's
business If you ask him he will hardly
venture to deny it,
Il don't know what You are talking
about" Stevens stammered.
"Oh, yes, you do" Venables went on.
You will say presently that you have
erous rascal and evidently you are not
In the least to be relied upon. / told you
that 1t would pay you to join me, and I
suppose your idea is to get money from
both parties. This Is no time to waste
on determinations. This man Is a spy of
Valdo's, Lord Ravenspur. Evidently he
Is here to watch our movements. We
can't trust him. We can't let him out OF
our sight. The question is, what are we
going to do with him?'
You just leave me alone or it will be
the worse for you." Stevens clustered.
Il am not the man"
Before Stevens could finish his speech
he was jerked violently backward by
Perks and turned over on his fac,. In
less time than it takes to tell. his hands
were bound behind his back with couple
of straps, and his feet We're fastened to-
gether with the aid OF some handker-
chiers which Perks borrowed from his
companion. The thing was dexterously
done, so that Stevens lay there on his
back. swearing hotly at Perks, and
| threatening him with what was likely to
| happen when his time came.
"Oh, that's all right" Perks said cheer
fully; don't you be a fool, John. 1t will
pay you much better to play the square
game with these gentlemen and to
your threats, why, they don't worry me.
You talk about splitting. Why, you dare
not go within a mile of police station.
And nice witness before magistrates
you would make. No. my lad; there is
no chance Of your doing me any harm
unless you are prepared to stand in the
dock by my side. Now, come along, and
we'll get 1t over"
what are you going to do with him?"
Ravenspur asked.
"Oh. that is an easy one," Perks grinned
cheerfully. We'll just carry him as far
as the common, and dump him down on q
nice bed Of braeken. where he can pass
the time studying astronomy l haven't
any fear that he can get rid of these
bandages. When everything Is settled
I'll come back and fetch him. Then I
can take him home and give him some
breakfast. He won't bear any malice.
That is very good point about John
Stevens, he never bears malice for long.
AS matter of fact, he amt got pluck
enough"
Stevens was dumped unceremoniously
down upon the bracken, and the little
party went back to the house. Lord
Ravenspur had forgotten all about " alter
for the moment His mind had reverted
to the murder in Fftzjohn Square. He
was thinking of Delahay and certain
fresh facts which had recently come to
light. He allowed Venables to precede
him. Then he drew Perks aside for
moment.
II am going to ask you question" he
said. "and l hope you will answer 1t
straightforwardly. 1 will see that no
harm comes to you. And, indeed, in any
case it will be to your advantage to be
candid. Have you had any dealings late
ly with this man Stevens? You know
what mean. Have you bought anything
from him for which you paid without
asking any questions?"
"Only this very morning, SIR Perks ad-
mitted cheerfully. ITO tell you the truth,
that little thing what you gave me a
sovereign for was among the lot. And
now l have said it. l am fool to tell
you this. but you gave me your word
sir
That is all right" Ravenspur said. Il
shall keep it,
(To be Continued Tomorrow.)