The Washington herald., 1908-03-24

asked with sarcasm. Are you expecting
that my enemies intend to kin me in Sc
cret? II so, ] can quickly disabuse your
mind. II would not be TO their interest If
were dead, for they could not then bleed
me- as is, no doubt, their intention.
know Adams and his friends"
80 do T." declared Levi. Whatever
plot they have formed against you is no
doubt clever and ingenious. They are not
men to act until every preparation is
complete"
Then why fear for my personal safe
typ asked the millionaire. II always
have this-and I can use it and he drew
from his pocket something which glls-
tened in the darkness-a neat plated re-
volver
Il fear. because of cate you've acted SO
| inJudiciously."
Through ignorance. I believed myself
TO be more shrewd than ! really am. You
see l admit my falling to you. Levi. But
only TO you-to nobody else. The city
believes Sam Ststham to possess the
keenest mind ana sharpest wits of any
man between Temple Bar and Aldgate.
| Strange. isn't it, how each one OF Us
earns a reputation for something in
which he really does not excel,''
l
remarked Levi outspokenly. "If you be-
lieved that there was some little honesty
! IN human nature you might have been
spared the present danger"
You mean I'm too suspicious-eh2 My
experience Of men has made me so" he
growled. "Of the thousand enemies 1 pos
sess. is there a man among them honest
And Of my friends, is there one I car
trust except Ben and yourself, OF
course?"
What about Roife?"
Sam Statham hesitated It was ques-
( ton put too abruptly-a question not
easily decided on the spur of the mo-
ment. OF late. ever since his failure 10 &c
20 Belgrade, he had entertained some mis-
givings regarding his secretary. There
was more than one point OF fact which
did not coincide with Rolfe's statements
The old man was quickly suspicious. and
| once he scented mystery. II was always
a long time before his doubts were al
layed. Like every man Of great wealth
he had been surrounded by sycophants
who had endeavoredDto get rich at his ex-
| pense. The very men he had helped tC
fortune had turned around afterward and
abused and libeled him. 1t was that
which had long ago soured him against
his fellow-men and aroused In his heart
disbelief in all protestation Of honesty
and uprightness.
! Levi recognized his masters lack OF
| confidence in Rolfe. and IL caused hin
10 wonder. Hitherto he had been full OF
praise Of the clever and energetic young
secretary by whose smart business meth
DDS several great concerns in which he
| held controlling interest had been put into
a f1ourishing condition. But now. quite Oi
a sudden. there was a hesitancy which
/ told too plainly of lack of confidence
Was the star Of Rolfe's prosperity on the
wane?
II so. Levi felt sorry, for he was at
/ tached 70 the young man, whom he felt
! confident had the interests OF his master
so thoroughly at heart. Old Levi was g
queer fish. He had seldom taken TO any
body as he had done TO Mr.. Rolfe, who
usually cracked a joke with him and
asked after his rheumatics.
Levi" exclaimed Statham after a few
moments Of silence, is II not absurd FOL
us 10 chatter here, in the darkness? It's
past i. 1 wish you 70 go downstairs and
leave me alone"
"Why?" demanded the old retainer
Because I have a strong reason IN
opening the door myself I-well prom
ised that my visitor should be seen by
no one except myself. Now. do you un-
derstand?"
Levi did not answer for few moments
Then in that case" he said with re-
/ luctance. II suppose I must do as yoJ
wish. only I'm very much against you
opening the door yourself. You know
that!'
And grunting. his dark figure moved
long the hall. and he disappeared dowr
4 Ia I've rr-frr
night"
Statham. having listened to his retreat
/ ing footsteps. re-entered the library
which was still unlit, and. going agalr
/ 70 the window. peered forth into Park
/ lane.
Rain was falling, and the street lamps
cast long lines Of light upon the shining
pavements. In the faint ray Of igh
that feE across the room from without
| he bent and looked at his watch II wal
1:S0-the hour Of the appointment.
| The old fellow raised both hands TO hi,
head and smoOthed back his gray hair
! Then he drew a long sigh, and waited II
patience. peering forth in eager expec
fancy.
For another ten minutes he remained
almost motionless, until at last his cal
caught the sound Of a fOOtstep cominl
from the direction Of Oxford street. anC
a dark figure. passing the window. stop
ped beneath the porch.
Next second he few along the hall Il
the door, opening T. noiselessly to admit
a woman in a black tailOr-made gowI
and motor cap, her features but half con
cealed by a thin veil of gray gauze
! She crossed the threshold withou
speaking, for he raised his finger a:
though to command her silence. Then
when he had closed the door behind bel
and slipped the bolt into its socket, h,
conducted her along 10 the dark study
without uttering a word
Her attitude and gait was that of feai
and hesitancy; as though she alread,
regretted having come there. and woulC
fain make her escape-if escape wer,
possible.