Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-08-22

appearance-he might have been srr.
prised, but he would never have guess
ed the evil that this man would accom-
plish. and in some measure accomplish
unconsciously.
He was not In his club five minutes
when friend tackled him for con-
cert subscription.
"Anson, you are fond OF music. Here
is new vlollnlst, n Hungarian, who
wants start. heard him in Buda-
pest last autumn. He is a good chap.
Take some tails"
Philip glanced at the programme.
"Eckstein at the piano. ! sec. He
must be star. Who Is the soprano?
have never heard her name before"
"Miss Evelyn Athcrloy," read his
friend over his shoulder. II don't
know her myself Dine with ME here
tomorrow night. We will go and hear
the performance afterward."
"Can you Distribute stalls among
your acQuantances"
"My dear fellow. I will be delighted.
Sorry can't help Jowkacsy a bit my
self"
"You are helping him very well. I
will take a dozen, two for You and me,
ten elsewhere for the clanuc"
"You are n good chap. Hello. there's
Jones Jones is good for couple.
Don't forget tomorrow night
And tho good natnred enthusiast.
who was n terror TO many OF his
fricnda, ran off to secure another vic
tim.
Philip had sent his hanson home.
Shortly hcforc II he quilted the club,
intending to walk TO Park lane by a
clrcuitous route long enough to con-
sumo big cigar
lie CHANGED to pass the hall in which
the concert was 70 take place A few
people We're hurrying from the stage
door. Evidently rehearsal had Just
taken place. 4 short man with huge
cluster Of flowing locks that offered
abundant proof of his musica! genius
ran out with n violin case in his hand.
He was about to enter n hanson
waiting near the curb, but the driver
said
Engaged, SIT
The man did not seem to understand,
so the cahby barred his way with the
whip and shook his head. Then the
stranger rushed to ncighboring cab
rank -cvidently an excitable gentle
man. with the high strung tempcra-
ment Of art.
A lady quilted the hall few seconds
later.
care you engaecdT" Philip heard her
ask the cahman.
"No, miss"
"Take me to No. A Mazda Crescent,
Regents park" she said. After ar
ranging her skirts dantily she entered
the vehicle.
THAT is odd" thought Philip, who
had Witnessed both incidents in the
course of n six yards walk. He
glanced at the cabman and fancicd the
man gave n peculiar look Of inteli-
gence toward couple of fashionably
| dressed loungers who stood in the
| shadow of the closed public entrance.
The two men, without exchanging a
word to Philips hearing. went to a
| hrougham standing at some little dis
tance. They entered. The coachman,
who received no instructions. drove off
in the same direction As the hanson,
and as If to make sure he was being
| followed the cab driver turned to look
behind him.
| Once in Naples Philip saw man
! stealthily following a woman down an
unlightcd alley. Without moments
hesitation he went after the pair and
waa Just in time to prevent the would
/ be assassin from plunginC an upllte1
! stilptto into the womanS hack The
! recollection of that little drama flashed
| into his mind now. There was Il sug-
gestion of the Ncapolitan hravos air in
the manner in which these men stalk
ed gin who was quite unaware OF
| their movements.
RE asked himself why cabman
should refuse one fare and picl; up an
other in the same spot. Tho affair was
certainly odd. He would see further
into it before he dismissed II from his
thoughts. Tie distance 10 Mazda Cres
cent was not great.
While thinking he was acting, lie
sprGnG into the nearest hausom.
"A brOugham Is following n hanson
UP Langham place." he said TO the
driver. Keep behind them. If they
separate, follow the brougham. Wher
It stops. pull UP at the best place Il
avoid notice"
The man nodded. Nothing surprise;
London cabman. Soon the three We
hicles We're spinning along the Outer
circle.
1t was not very dark night, the Sky
being cloudiess and starlit. Away II
front at point where the two lines
Of lamps curved sharply to the righ
and vanished amid the trees a row OF
little red lights showed that the roat
was up.
The leading hanson drove steadily
on. There was nothing remarkable II
this. When the driver reached the oh
struction, he would turn out of tn,
park by the nearer gate; that was all.
But he did nothing of the kind. Their,
was a sudden crash Of wood. a won
ans scream, and the horse was strug
Cling wildly amid pile OF loose wood
en- blocks. while one wheel OF the cal
dropped heavily into shallow trench.
simultaneously the brougham pullei
up, and its two occupants rushed to thu
scene of the accident.
Philips driver Of course obeyed In
structions, hut he shouted to his far
| int hf