Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-01-03
CHAPTER XXI.

To go back for a space to Bennington.
Needless of his promise, he had burst head
long into the dining room whence the cry
came. He had forgotten altogether about
Field The fact half crossed his mind that
nobody knew of the presence OF the IN
spector in the house, so that anyway the
latter's personal safety was not 1eopardlzed.
1t had been a foolish thing to do. as Ber-
rington realized almost as soon as his MIND
cleared. He had been somewhat badly
mauled in the preliminaries, and now II
seemed to him that he was prisoner In
the hands of these people. The only con-
ISOLATION that was left to him was the fact
that Field would come to his rescue IN gooo
time.
But Bennington was by no means done for
yet. To begin with, there was not the
slightest trace of fear in his heart. he mad
been in too many tight places before to
have any emotion of that kind. He fell
back against the wall. painting for breath;
he looked around him again for some ave-
nue. of escape, but he could see none.
1t was a curious scene, altogether, the
elegantly furnished room, the litter OF
glasses and china and crystal IN one corner
the mysterious outlined figure on the taoie.
The glare of electric lights shone on the
faces of the men there, on the lmpudent
features of the woman who had posed as
the Countess de la Moray, and on the pale,
supplicating face of Mary Sartoris. For
1t was Mary Sartoris who was the nrst 10
speak She crossed over to her brother and
held out her hand with gesture OF pas
sionate supplication.
'It is all a mistake she cried Col.
Bennington is under misapprehension He
ina gines that something wrong Is taxing
place here; he has acted on the spur OF the
moment He did not come TO the mousse 10
see anybody but me-"
Sartoris grinned in evil fashion. Just for
the moment he looked half convinced
He comes in strange fashion,, he said.
"All the same, I have not the least doubt
of the value Of Col. Berrngton's friendship
so far as you are concerned. But tnat is
not the point Did you admit your friend
Col. Bennington to the house"
For the fraction of a second bold lie
trembled on Mary's lips. But she could not
utter it. She looked down in confusion, ana
her face trembled. Sartoris grlnned IN the
same wicked fashion. A black rage was
rising in his heart
Good girl y he sneered. always tell the
truth 1t is the proper thing to do, and it
will bring its own reward in the END. Only
it is attended with personal inconvenience
at times, such the present, for instance.
How did Col. Bennington get here!
II will save your sister the trouble or re-
plying" Bennington cried. Il came here.
acting on certain information that had
come to my knowledge. l came here 10 dis
cover if could learn some facts bearing on
the disappearance of Sir Charles Darrylls
body. And 1 am not disposed to think that
my efforts are altogether in VAIN.
1t was bold speech and not without It's
effect The woman called Cora turned
shade paler, and the clean-ShaVen man by
her side WINGED. The only one who seemed
disposed to a mild course OF policy was
Brentwood.
For heavens sake don't let us have any
violence" he said hoarsey. There has
been too much of that already: L mean
there is no necessity for anything OF the
kind. If Col. Bennington knows anything
Of of nS-'
II know everything" Bennington replied.
1t seemed to him that bold course OF ac-
ton was the best to be taken under the CIR
cumstances. For instance, L have a pretty
accurate knowledge of the checkered past
of Dr. Brentwood and the malignant scoun-
drel who calls himself Carl Sartoris. or
Miss Mary Sartoris l will say nothing.
There are others here, too, whose past is
not altogether wrapped in mystery. There
are Gen. Gastang and Countess de la Moray,
for instance. And once 1 am outside these
walls"
Sartoris pushed his chair close to the
speaker He was seething with passionate
rage his face was livld with anger. For
the moment he could do nothing; he only
thrsted for the blood of the bold Berring-
ton.
You are not outside these walls he said.
"You are not likely to be outside these
walls for some time to come. You nave
described us in language that you have
spared no trouble to render abusive. You
know too much. And We have our own
way here of dealing. with enemies OF ours
who know too much.
There was no mistaking the dreadful
threat that underay the hoarse speech.
There was underground murder in the eyes
of Sartoris Bennington smiled scornfully.
II know exactly what You mean," he said;
Indeed l know more than you give me
credit for And 1 will make my suspicious
certanties.
Bennington advanced swiftly to the table
and laid hand on the sheet that covered
Co., tLarn Apnf har In
stant and the whole mystery would have
been exposed. But Sartoris propelled his
chair forward and grabbed Bennington by
the arm.
cursed by these crippled bones Of mine,
would have plucked that fellows heart from
his body. Don't stand there like a lot of
mummies. Pull him back, l say, pull him
back"
The harsh, ringing command seemed to
restore the other listeners to sense of
what they owed to themselves. With
cry, the man called Reggie. was on Berring-
ton, though Mary Sartoris had fallen and
clasped him around the knees. With an
oath, Brentwood darted forward and flung
himself upon Berrington's shoulders. The
struggle was a hot one, for the colonel
fought WELL but the odds were too many
for him. and he was borne at length heavily
to the ground. His head came in contact
with the floor, and he lay there just a
minute dazed and giddy
humiiating part of the business. He had,
at any cost, resolved to make assurance
doubly sure. He could see the grinning
triumph on the face of Sartoris as he
scrambled to his feet: he could see the tears
in Marys eyes. For the personal danger
to himself he cared nothing.
Lets make an end Of it,, Sartoris cried.
Hes too dangerous to live. Let us make
an end of him. Dead men tell no tales
NO" no." Mary cried. You shall not
do it. No, no."
'"Then go and fetch the police" Sartoris
said with a little laugh. Fetch them in,
say. Let them come here and investigate,
and after that you can stand in the dock
and give evidence against your own brother.
My child, you are free to depart as soon as
you like. Go now!
Mary Sartoris stood there trembling and
hesitatng. Sartoris wheeled his chair rap
idly and dexterously across to her, and then
raised his fist In threatening manner.
For a moment it seemed as If he meant to
strike the girl.
CO. now!' He repeated his command
harshly. 'Ge at once! Go out of my
house and never come back again, you
white-faced mewling cat. Pah, you dare
not do anything. You are not to stay in