The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1907-12-28
CHAPTER XXXVIII
(COnJinued)

Really, you are a man of amaz-
ing audacity," Walter retorted
Now, don't you know that the law
Furnishes people severely for this
kind of thing?'
"And what kind of thing do you
allude to-"
why should you assume ignor-
ance? You have made three at
tempts on the life of Lord Raven
spur, and even that does not seem
to be sufficient. Last night you
managed to lure Miss Vera Rayne
away from London, and she is in
this house at the present moment"
"Oh, indeed" sneered Silva.
would you like to search the
house? If give you permission to
go over the premises, will you be
prepared to apologize and go away
without further delay?"
A cold chill crept up Walters
spine. The man spoke with such
an air of confidence and triumph
that Walter began to feel that the
mission had failed. Had Silva dis
covered the plot and already man.
aged to get Vera out of the way?
1--WE need not say anything about
apologies" Walter said; "but if you
can prove to me that Miss Rayne is
not in the house, why, then, for the
present at any rate, will not trou.
BILE you"
THAT is very good of you," Silva
| sneered. He rose and paced up and
! down the room. You have seen
quite enough of me, sir, to give me
credit for not being altogether a
fool. I am suspicious by nature.
| regarded it as more than coinci-
dence that three strangers should
| come and make free with my gar
den. / followed these gentlemen
and by the time l returned home
had a pretty shrewd idea who they
were and what they were after
How my suspicious are justified is
proved by your presence here this
evening. Did you come alone?"
THAT you must discover for your
SELF" Walter said.
| The Italians features suddenly
darkened. He paused so close to
Walter that the latter could see the
dilation of the pupils of his eyes
He shook with spasm of fury.
81 have no quarrel with you,
Silva said hoarsely. You are a fine
fellow, and give you all the credit
for your courage. But if you persist
in bringing yourself within the
sphere of danger, then you must
take the consequences.
do not suppose for a moment
that l am afraid of my own life. A
man is to be removed, and when he
Is out of the way my task is done
If you stand In the way, | shall
have no hesitation in sweeping you
aside. Now go away and trouble me
no more. You go away for you will
never see Miss Rayne again. In a
Il few hours from now she will be in
the custody of the proper person
to safeguard her interests-hel
mother
A retort trembled on Walters
lips, but re restrained himself.
Il am going to give you every op
portunity." Silva went on. 81 trust
to your honor. See here"
He whipped a knife from his
pocket, and just for second Wal
ter's courage was tried high; but
the Italian meant no harm. He ad
vanced and cut the cords so that
a moment later Walter was free.
Walter did not kno what a sud
den inspiration had come to Silva
Though he had suspected his visit
ors Of the early morning, he was
lying to Walter when he declared
that he had discovered their iden
tity. 1t was easy to be wise after
the fact. In his heart of hearts he
really had not expected anything
quite so prompt as this. He could
now see his danger.
! If Walter was alone, then so far
so good; but if there were others
outside the house, then Silva was