Evening star., 1909-07-17
CHAPTER VIII-Continued.


Wen. one hardly likes to he known
as the friend or accomplice of an ad-
venturer.'
Il choose my friends. and take the
risk was my response.
He shrugged his shoulders and tossed
the end of his cigar out of the WIN
dow.
VERY well. my dear sir. l will say
no more" he exclaimed. Il approached
you friend
And an enemy of Cough l inter-
rupted
"Ah, there you have entirely misjudged
me-" the stranger said. Cough is my
friend though his friendship is danger
ous-very dangerous-to me-
I'm what way
THAT'S a question we cannot enter
into now. 1t is outside this present dis
cusson / simply tell you that Cough
is my friend
What proof have I of that?
THE easiest Cough Is in London l
know You will him tonight or to-
morrow See him this very night If YOU
can. and tell him--wel. tell him you've
met Tom WINCH
Winch l repeated; very we'll
shall remember the name.
The strangers attitude puzzled me- he
seemed to he treating me with uncon-
Germ His chief interest was Granny
If YOU know that Cough Is IN Lon
don, and is in the habit OF visiting me,
YOU surely need not have taken the trou-
BILE to follow me to Worthing. Mr..
WINCH | remarked.
Il have reasons for not approaching
him"
NAV I not know them
Il had a motive in speaking TO you
thus privately-because | am Gough
friend Ask him. and he will tell you
whether | speak the truth
Was this man crook, Ike Granny
/ examined his dress. and saw that it
was Just trif1e snowy. Was he an adj
venturer and sharper?
1t struck me that he was. therefore |
grew a little more confidential.
"I'll certainly tell him. Where are
you staying. if he wishes to see you?'
See me- he gasped. Il hope he
won't see me-
But he's your friend"
That's just why l don't wish to see
him
You're speaking in engmas. | said.
why don't YOU tell me openly what
your game is?"
he laughed, we swung through one of
the suburban stations. 1t is to betray
my friend
ITO betray Granny Goughr I cried.
Well, my dear sir. you're at least
frank.
Il told YOU would be if you replied
to my questions Granny Cough lives in
a glass house, and stones are dangerous.
Certain people are now throwing stones.
Do YOU now follow me?"
Not exactly"
Well. then. will speak palmer. I
am here to betray Granny Cough into
the hands of the police
And yet you are his friend,' / cried.
staring at him.
Il repeat what I have said. Mr.. Raj
ston. Because ! am his friend do not
go near him. l have travelled with you
today in order to speak with you and
to warn him..
"Of what?'
of imminent danger" was the man
Winch's earnest reply. See him tonight
soon you get to London. and tell
him that you have met me. and that
urge him to disappear at once. Every
moment brings the peril of arrest nearer.
If YOU are his real friend, Mr.. Ralston,
assist him to get away from London to-
night. Tell him not to try and get back
TO the continent. Better for him to
main in hiding in England
But he's at the Hotel Cecil" | eX
claimed in apprehension. IF the police
in search of him they will easily
find him"
He is no longer at the Cecil. was
the strangers cool reply; I have al,
ready seen to that. This morning /
forged your name to telegram
forgive me for it-telling him to
20 at once in secret to the Queens
Hotel, near the CryStaI Palace. and there
await your arrival at 9:31 tonight. So
as soon as we get to Victoria, take train
down to the Crystal Palace. meet him.
and get him clear of London He only
escaped from the Cecil today just in time.
They are now watching for him there
expecting him to return.
.All this is very alarming" ! declared.
us there real danger? Tell me plainly"
Danger echoed the stranger. why,
there's the greatest danger. BY this time
the whole police of England are seeking
for him. Therefore arrange his hiding
pace in some out-oftheway place in
the country. If he attempts to leave by
any of the continental routes he'll be ar
rested instantly"
For what?'
Upon a terrible charge-a charge of
murder.