The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-02

 } A WOMANS { { ENCHANTMENT} } { By William Le Queux Z Copyright, 1909. by 2 William Le Queux }
 v
(Continued.)
Copyright, 1909. by William Le Queux

the withdrawal to pay your hotel biIls''
 eff you dared to tell lies about me as you are doing concerning Granny I'd knock you down-so I tell you that!'' I cried. angrily.
 The man laughed in open defiance, placing his stick behind his back and linking his arms over it.
 "You come here" I said "and en- deavor to poison that poor girls mind against her lover-against the man who adores her! You're an internal blackguard-that's my opinion of you!''
 He regarded me with fierce resent ment. but next moment his fsee re- faxed into a sickly smile as- he ar- swered:
 Surely it is scarcely worth while for us to quarrel? I have acted as I judged right for. the protection of my friends"
 And for the furtherance of your own schemes"
 'I don't follow you.''' he said. glanc- ing at me quickly.
 I smiled at his pretended ignorance, and said:
 "Come. MT. Garshore, two of us can play at the old fashioned game of bluff We are enemies-you and. I. I have taken the side of the defenseless man whom you are seeking to ruin in the eyes of Stapleton and his daugh- ter Good. You have already had your innings. Mine are yet to come.''
 i.1what do you mean?'' he asked in surprise.
 T mean that you must at once with draw all your slanderous imputations -at once-to-day-you understand!'
 q shall do nothing of the sort, was his firm reply.
 Very well. I ann glad to have your assurance on that point. as it leaves me with a perfectly free hand-and tongue" said.
 My coolness apparently caused him considerable apprehension. He detect ed that beneath my determination lay some secret Knowledge in which lay my power. I saw that he had become puzzled by my statement that he was no stranger to me. yet I myself was mystified as to the real motive of his 
 Granny in the eyes of Stapleton and Myra.
 T give you one chance to retract what you said,'' I exclaimed firmly. as I took my watch from my pocket. Its now Il. By o'clock this evening you will convince both father and daugh- ter that your allegations were based upon insufficient grounds and were merely the outcome of hearsay.''
 1T shall do no such thing"
 Then you will take the conse- quences. MT. Garshore." I said. The Stapletons are friends of mine, as they are friends of yours. I will not allow them to be misled by any lies uNered Moreover you will leave the Grange within the next twelve hours.''
 T thank youa MT. Ralston, for your. confounded inlpudence.'' he cried in anger T shall certainly not leave the Grange until it suits me-
 But it will suit you to go-and that quic<ly-when nave spoken.
 His eyes flashed quickly, as he raised them to mine. I saw a distinctly evil light in them. but I did not fear him. for by what I already knew had be- come forearmed.
 You may speak what you like, so long as it is within the bounds of tr,1th,'' he replied in defiance
 Never fear" I said. tThe truth concerning you is more condemnatory tran ever fiction could be- Mr Gar shore Therefore I would urge you to reconsider your decision regarding the retraction of your islanders. other wise"
 otherwise you intend to islander me in rethrn?'' he interrupted.
 q shall act as I think proper" I said. It was upon the tip of my tom que to refer to his alliance with the notorious Roumanian woman for the purpose of stealing the valuable con cession from Granny. But. for one reason, I hesitated. I hoped to get from him the distinct charge of nur- der against Granny.
 'eYou are endeavoring to shield an of murder. and has fled. Surely it is but right that these people should know. We are their guests
 q have no proof of the truth of such an allegation. Whom. pray. has Gran ny been guilty of killing?'
 "A woman-a woman who was an enemy" was the mans quick response.
 ''Who was she?p I asked eagerly.
 "A foreigner. She had threatened him with exposure. and he killed her in order to close her mouth''
 You allege that he killed her. How?"
 How can tell? All know is that she .died-sudden1y Have you not seen the case in the papers-the mys- tey in Radcliffe Gardens?"
 bit my lip.
 "Yes. have seen some case, but haven't taken much notice of it. re- piled with affected carelessness. DO you allege that he is the assassin?''
 Most certainly
 But you have no proof
 "If have not. there are others who have. Hence the warrant for rhis ar rest upon that charge-and another.''
 What was the woman's name?'' asked. still eager for further details.
 That you must discover for your