The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1909-01-01

"My name for the present is
Seth Halford, Sir Charles. / shall
not deny that it is liable to fire.
quent change" I smiled-"but
l defy you to detect it's transmit
tations, sir, or follow it's vicarious
possessor to his lair. AS for my
price, I have no object in with
holding that-it is 100000.
"And is 1t not subject, like your
name, to changer"
mot by so much as one far
thing, Sir Charles.
He nodded and got languidly
to his feet. 81 came here pre-
pared to sacrifice five hundred"
he said quietly. 1.-TWO in cash,
the balance tomorrow. / am not
sure that I am not pleased to save
the money"
"Unhappily, Sir Charles, that is
utterly impossible.
mot by calling in the police
and arresting you for attempted
blackmail?"
I broke into soft ripping
laugh. SO" I muttered, "you
only value your neck at G5OO!
Such fine and delicate vertebrate
they are, tool"
my neck Is In no danger" he
retorted angrily. what can
you prove against us, you fool,
except that 1 performed a wonder
full operation in the cause of sci
ence, in the ardent hope of saw
ing a mans life, and in the sure
trust of benefiting the whole hui
man racer"
But the man died, doctor, and
he was one of 10! The coroner
will shortly have a harvest, 10
autopsies, Sir Charles! Think of
them! Nineteen autopsies!"
"You fool!" he repeated In
tones Of repressed passion, eff
there were even 90-what of it?
But enough of this! Choose be-
tween $500 and the lookup.
Choose quickly!"
His hand was already on the
latch. Perhaps there was a po-
liceman in the passage. 1 thought
1t unlikely, but still-possible
At all events, 1t was time for me
to cease trifling with my adver-
sary.
"Yeu appear, Sir Chas. venner,
to have forgotten the matter of
Cavanagh's DEATH" I Kissed out.
"He killed himself at the hospi-
tai and his body was discovered
at the studio!"
THAT can be explained" he
retorted; but his hand fell softly
from the latch. 1--WE have plenty
of witnesses who saw his suicide"
"Suicide!" sneered. "What of
rule three, you one of seven MUIR
derers!"
Sir Chas. Venner recrossed the
room and quietly resumed his
chair. His face was still as ex-
pressfonless as a mask, but all
the luster had departed from his
eyes.
what do you know of rule
three?" he asked in lifeless tones,
after long, intense pause.
I knew so little that it seemed
necessary to lie. Enough to hang
you," I murmured, smiling pleas
ant1y. II should tell you, per-
haps, my dear Sir Charles, that II
have impersonated Sir VIM. Dag
mar more often than I have fin
gers and toes-during the past
IL months. Ha! you start!" II
laughed wickedly.
He bit his lips and eyed mel
sternly. 81 shall need better
proof than your word" he said.
I nodded, got to my feet and
strobe to the door. / threw I'll
open and with an elaborate bow
pointed to the passage.
"You shall have IT," cried,
"but only in the police COURT"
bluff" he sneered. "Bluff!"|
He did not move from his chair.
"Oh!" said I. But you are|
wrong!" walked to the electric
bell and pressed the button.
Sir Chas. Venner's impassivity
disappeared like magic. His facet
turned scarlet and he sprang in
stantly afoot.
Five thousand!" he Kissed.
yawned.
Seven then, though it will ruin
us!" he cried distractedly.
/ took out a cigaret and struck
light. Then a servant APPEAR
ed in the doorway.
you rang, sir?" he inquired.
"Yes!" I looekd at the fellow
approvingly. He was a much
stouter man and perhaps an inch
taller than I, and he had largel
feet. He was attired in the hotel
uniform. He wore a dragons
mustach and he looked like AMI
old soldier. 81 wish you to bel
good enough to show my dearI
friend. Sir Chas. Venner, to thel
street" I turned to Sir Charles,
and Immediately perceived that
M t.al III