Middletown transcript., 1907-06-08
rconrrNttrn pRoM LAST WEEK.

box, said Meredith, who was not
to be caught mapping on such q
night.
Here, take it said the other,
in a naughty tone, thrusting the
mfssive through the half opened
door.
Meredith recognized the writ
ingat once, ,soinyited the stranger
in, closing the spring lock care
fully behind him. Then he open-
ed the letter. When he looked
up with white face and anguish
ed eyes, he was covered with a
revolver, as poor Maggie had
been, and stood defenseless and
helpless.
NV name is Spine, said the
stranger, and your wife is OF
present under the watch and
ward of Cotiswode, my partner.
If YOU care to put the Hamburg
diamonds in your pocket know
they have reached you-and ac-
company me to her present
whereabouts for a few hours, you
both go free, unharmed. If not,
I shall take leave of you, ,and you
will find your wife sometime,
under the influence of drug adj
ministered by Cotiswode, who,
when thwarted,is about as pitt
less as an old Spanish Inqniiitor.
Is that all?
No. As you must knew, ! could
demand the stones, under threat,
mosO, or drop you and take them
if you refused; but that's not my
way. l wish you to accompany
me without attempt on my liber-
ty or person in any way, and give
me your honor that no alarm
shall be raised till partner and
self are clear-say, half an hour.
It is your best course. IL ! am
arrested, or prevented from join
ing Cotiswode by any circum-
stance, your wife-Well, ! will
not pain your feelings. Men have
paid a bigger price for a worth
less woman, while Mrs. Mere
dith is fawless jewel with
which your entire stock is incom-
parable.
Is this some stupid masquer-
ade ?
No; dead earnest. Why do
you ask? said Spine, suspicious
ly. No tricks for time, please.
It's no trick for time. You
are artificial, somehow. Under
other conditions, should have
= taken you for-well-plainly
gentleman.
For the second time that day
the telltale flush rose to Spine's
forehead, but he replied shortly,
Desperation knows no order, add
ing, as If in paIliation, moreover,
the diamonds are insured, doubt
less, and you have all proofs OF
coercion to save your reputation.
Pocket the stuff and come along.
No tricks, mind; sudden death if
thwarted.
The fog was now very dense,
but under the rogue's careful
plotting they reached the Strand
without very great difficulty.
= AS they stepped onto the curb
stone, slender figure suddenly
Jumped against Meredith's COM
panion, and whispered in his ear.
without a moments hesitation
4 Spine turned and fed, and was
swallowed up in the fog.
Meredith stood alone, a prey
to the most poignant emotions
that could try human heart.
He was alone, and the knowledge
of Maggie's hiding place had
gone with the rascal who had
taken himself like a shadow to
the shadows. A wild idea to
rush after Spine caused him
!. to wheel around suddenly; but
at that moment a pleasant voice
said, Don't follow him, Mr..
Meredith, follow me.
He turned in amazement to see
o slight, boyish figure walking
slowly ahead, and he followed
with throbbing heart and quick
ened spirit, hope and thankful.
ness urging him on. a hundred
PAGES further on his guide stop,
ped and waited for him to come
up.
My names Hemming, said
the young stranger, and
fetched Mrs. Meredith here
in a cab this afternoon
Another errand d didn't take SC
long as expected, SO ! Wenl
round to your place to see Il your
absence had caused anxiety.
Just as I got near the dool
I heard Spine say he'd got q
message from your wife, and