The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-12-16

Meanwhile, Walter Lance has
Host no time in reaching the studio.
1t was absolutely empty, and the
full blaze of the electric lights dis
closed no danger.
Watching eyes were probably not
far off, and it behooved him to be
circumspect. He switched off all
the lights and shut the door Of the
studio, at the same time affecting
to turn the key in the lock. If
Waldo were hiding close at hand, he
would take this for an indication
that the studio was locked for the
night.
This being done, Walter crept
back again and took up a position
at the foot of an acacia tree in the
center of the room. If Waldo en-
terede the studio he was bound to
come that way.
A quarter OF an hour passed and
no one came; but at length Wal
| ter's patience was rewarded. He
heard a slight swish and sway in
the branches of the acacia over
head. He could hear deep and reg
ular breathing coming nearer and
nearer to him. Then, presently, in
the darkness, he discerned the 1.-THE
figure of the Italian. A moment
later and the intruder was caught
below the elbows in a grip that
made him fairly grunt. He strug-
gled just for a moment, but the
steady grip seemed to crush the
life out of him, and he desisted.
Walter bore him back until his left
hand shot out, and the whole stu
do was bathed in flame once more.
Walters search for weapons dis
closed nothing more dangerous
than a small sheathknife, which he
swept into his pocket. He was
quite calm and self possessed now.
He coolly indicated chair into
which Waldo flung himself sullenly.
Now l should like tot have a
little conversation with you," he
said. "You will recollect that we
have met before.
81 have not forgotten the fact,
Luigi Silva said sullenly. 1T was
at the Imperial Palace theater."
"Quite correct" Walter said. 81
came to see that remarkable per-
Torrance of yours. I was very
much interested, and l must con-
graduate you warmly. At the
same time, it seems to me that
yours is a dangerous kind of en-
tertainment."
A contemptuous smile f1ickered
over Silva's face.
| There is no danger whatever"
he murmured; anybody could do it
If they had arms like mine"
81 am afraid you don't quite take
my meaning Walter murmured.
ITO tell you the truth, since your
| last visit here"
"That is not true" Silva cried. 81
have never been here before!"
"Why play with me'?" Walter
| asked contemptuously. at is some
days since you were here last. To
refresh your memory, | am abiding
to the night when you came here by
way of the ventilatOr in the home,
and made murderous attack
upon my uncle, who owes his life
W lllC IoCl IlldJ l. w DO nv WI iui
away. 1t is no use your denying
this, because l am in a position to
prove it.
81 had fancy to play the detec-
tive. I looked around for some sort
of a clew and at length | found one.
All, | see you are interested
"Only in my own safety Silva
muttered.
well, that is the same thing. On
the floor close b where you are
seated | found a shabby yellow
playful, advertising the perform
ance of Waldo, the flying man, at
the Imperial Palace theater. Draw
ing my own conclusions from this
made up my mind to come and see
you, and ! did. have only tot place
this information, together with my
testimony, in the hands of the po-
lice. After that you would not be
likely to give us any cause for