The Washington herald., 1908-03-20

Marion's brother. its rather nice to be
In such 4 position. and yet
And yet it isn't all honey to be in his
shoes-eh? No. Max. il isn't" he said
/ know more about old Sam than most
men, and i tell you I'd rather be as
am than stiied by wealth as he is. He's
millionaire in gold, but a pauper il
happiness"
Il can't help thinking that his unhap-
piness must. in great measure, be due
10 himself Max remarked wondering
why Charlie had visited him after this
length OF time Il think il ! had his
money / should try and get some little
enjoyment out of IL Other wealthy men
have yachts. or motor cars. or other hob
bies. Why doesn't he2"
Because he doesn't care for sport. He
told me once that in his younger days
abroad he was as keen a sportsman as
anybody. But nowadays he's too old
for it, and prefers his armchair"
And yet he isn't a very old man, is
he?"
Sometimes wealth rejuvenates a man.
but more often the worry of IL ages him
prematurely." Rolfe remarked. Il OILY
got back from Glasgow again last night.
and 1 thought I'd look in and see you.
Seen Marion lately?"
II was with her at Earls court last
night. She's all right.
Then a silence fell between the pair
Rolfe lit the cigar he hed been slowly
twisting between his fingers. Max looked
furtively into his friends face trying to
read what secret thought lay behind
Charlie. however. preserved his usual
easy, nOnchalant air as he leaned back
in his chair. his weed between his teeth
and his hands clasped behind his head.
Look here. Charlie. Mas exclaimed
at last. in tone OF confidence. Il want
TO ask you something"
The other started visibly. and his
cheeks went Just a trifie paler
We'll. go on. old chap" He laughed
uneasily. What is it?" And then he
held his breath
It's about old Statham."
About old Statham," the other echoed,
breathing freely again.
Yes. Do you know that there are go
ing about London lot OF queer stories
regarding that house of his in Park lane
/ mean lot more stories"
More stories. laughed the private
secretary. We'll. what are people say
ing nOw?"
"oh. all sorts of weird and ridiculous
things"
What is one OF them? I'm interested.
for they never tell me anything"
Because they know you 10 be con
nected with the place." Max remarked.
We'll. just now there are about a dozen
different tales going the rounds. and all
sorts of hints against the old man.
Set about by those with whom he has
refused 10 associate-eh?"
Probably concocted by spiteful gossips.
l should think. Some Of them bear upon
I Of ftrfa
For instance. I've heard that the reason
lights are seen upstairs is because there s
a mysterious Mrs. Statham and her fam
| ily living there i'm secret. Nobody has
seen them. and they never So out"
oh. And what reason is given for
that?"
Because they say she's a Turkish
woman, and that he still keeps her Sc
cluded as she has been ever since "A
child. The story goes that she's a very
beautiful woman, daughter of one Of the
most powerful pashas in COnstantinople.
who escaped from her mothers harem
and got away over the frontier into Bull
garia, where Statham Joined her, and
they were married in Paris
Rolfe laughed aloud The idea OF old
Sam being an actor in such love ro-
nance was distinctly amusing.
They call him Statham Pasha. sup
pose, Well. really. 1t is the very latest.
just as though there may not be lights
upstairs when the old man goes 70 bed. %
"Of course said Max. But the fact
that the old man refuses 10 allow any
body in the house has given rise to all
these stories. You really ought TO tell
/ him"
What shall 1 tell him? Is there any
other gossip?
Yes" replied Max. looking the secre-
! tary straight in the face In suspicion
that he knew more about the mysteries
Of that house than he really did. There S
another strange story which / heard two
or three days ago. TO the effect that one
/ night recently a person was seen 10 go
there secretly. being admitted at once.
/ Then. after the lapse of an hour or so.
! old Levi came forth. signaled to a four
wheeled cab which was apparently lolter-
ing about on the chance of a fare. Then
from out OF the house was carried a long.
heavy box, which was placed on the cab
and driven away to an unknown destina-
ton.
"A box" gasped Rolfe in surprise,
bending quickly across 10 the speaker.
What do you mean-what do you sug-
gest2'
We'll. ths natural suggestion is that
the body OF the midnight visitor was
within that box,''
Charlie Rolfe did not reply. He sat
staring open-mouthed, as though Max
story had supplied the missing link in a
chain OF suspicious which had for a long
time existed in his mind-as though he
now knew the terrible and astounding
truth
TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW.