The Washington herald., 1908-04-01
CHAPTER xxXvI.
The Locked Door in Park Lane


girl. IT is not the present that is in
question. but the past.
In these days Of hustle a mans past
matters but little. 1t is what he is. not
what he was. which the public recognize" q"
Personally" she said. I hold Mr.
statham in highest esteem. I have never
met him. it's true. but l have knowledge
OF certain kind and generous actions on
his part actions which have brought
happiness and prosperity 20 those who
have fallen upon misfortune. For that
reason l resolved 70 speak 20 yOu and
warn you Of the plot in progress. Do you
happen TO know a certain Mr.. John
Adams?"
Rolfe started and stared at her. What
could she know Of the Damoclean sword
suspended over the house OF Statham?
Well" he answered guardedly. Il once
met man OF that name. I think"
Recently"
About a month ago"
You knew nothing Of him prior to
thatT'
Rolfe hesitated.
We'll, no." he replied.
nc IldNt EANAGASG VI bEAllb AllNlAuAg
with you?"
Yes. But. 10 tell you the truth, I was
somewhat suspicious Of him What do
you know of sam? Tell me"
Il happen 10 be well acquainted with
him. the girl responded. 1T is he who has
arisen like one from the grave. and in
tends 10 avenge the wrong which he de-
clares that Mr.. Statham had done him"
Recently"
mo. years ago. when they were abroad
togetker-and Mr.. Statham was still a
poor man."
Charlie Rolfe was silent. He knew
Adams; he knew, too, that evil was in
tended. He had warned old Sam Statham
but the latter had not needed. Adams
had had the audacity to approach him IN
confidence. believing that he might be
bought over When he had discovered
that the millionaire's secretary was in
corruptibie, he openly declared his siuis-
ter Intentions.
I had no idea you were acquainted
with Adams" he said, still puzzled TO
know who she was and what was her
motive
Il happen 10 know certain details OF
the riot" she answered
And you will reveal them TO me?" he
asked IN quick anxiety.
Upon certain conditions"
And what are they? l am all atten-
ton"
The first is that you will not seek TO
learn the identity Of the person who is
associated with Mr.. Adams in the forth
coming exposure, and the second is that
you say nothing to Mr. Statham regard
ing our secret meeting
''Why?" he asked. not quite under
standing the reason of her last stipula-
ton I thought you wished TO warn
Mr.. Statham?"
NO warn you. You can take meas
ures Of precaution on Mr.. Stathams be-
half without making explanation"
Mr.. Statham has already seen John
Adams and recognized him. He is al
ready forewarned."
And he has not taken any steps in
self-defense?" she cried. quickly.
Why need he trOuble7'
why because that man Adams has
sworn 10 hound him 10 self-destruction." -"
ROlfe shrugged his shoulders, and re-
piled:
Mr. Statham has really no apprehen-
sion of any unpleasantness, Miss Lorena
II is true that in the old days the two
men were friends. and. apparently, they
quaTreled. Adams was lost for years to
oAl VIII hAlNW AAAlAls anu INV SAAutll4g lt-
appears 20 find his old acquaintance
wealthy beyond the dreams OF avarice,
and seeks. as many more before him
have done, TO profit by his former friend
ship"
"Or enmity," added the girl, lowering
her surshade a little until for a moment
IL hid her features. Il do not think you
realize the dastardly cunning OF the plot
in progress. II has not only as its OBJ
ject the ruin Of the credit Of the house
of Statham Brothers, but the creation OF
a scandal which Mr.. Samuel Statham will
not dare TO face. He must either fly the
country, or commit suicide
''Wel?"
The latter is expected by the two men
who have combined and are now per-
fecting their ingenious conspiracy. It is
believed by them that he will take his
own life"
Charlie Rolfe reflected for a moment
He recollected old Sans terrible agita-
tion on the day when he recognized John
Adams leaning against the ratings Of
the Park. OF late. the great fnancier
had betrayed signs of unusual nervous
ness, and had complained several times
of insomnia. To his secretary's kaowl-
edge he had spent two nights that very
week in walking the streets of London
do charitable actions 10 the homeless, but
in reality because his mind was becom-
ing unbalanced by the constant strain Of
not knowing from one moment to an
other when Adams would deal his stag
gering blow.
Had there been any question Of black
mail. the aid of solicitors and Of Scotland
Yard could have been invoked. But there
had been no threat beyond the statement
made openly to Rolfc by the man who
intended to encompass the ruin of the
eccentric millionaire and philanthropist
Il think. Miss Lorena. that we need
have no fear of Mr.. Statham doing any
thing rash, he said. But why IS Il
hoped that he will prefer TO take his life
rather than face any exposure?'
Because they will profit by his death
profit 70 an enormous degree
But how can Adams profit? He has
had no dealings with Mr.. Statham OF
late
mot Adams. but his friend The latter
will become wealthy"
And may not know his Manner
mo. That is the stipulation which
make. For the present Il is sufficient that
you should be made aware Of the broad
lines Of the plot and that its main object
Is the death OF Samuel Statham."
"And you wish me 10 tell him ali this?"
Certainly. only without explaining that
/ was your informant"
why do you wish to conceal the
fact. Miss Lorena7' he asked. Surely
he would be only too delighted 10 be able
to thank you for your warning.
She shook her head, saying:
IF II were known that | had exposed
their plans II would place me in peril
They are determined and relentless men,
who would willingly sacrifice a woman