The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-12-29

TO you, old boy--sleep well-and be
good till we meet again,b
| fancy Sir Chas. Venner had never
been submitted 10 a more intolerabls
piece OF degradation. To be COM
manded TO shake hands with ones
blackmailer. His eyes were simply
murderous, but he obeyed. II was
only a form-of course, for our fingers
barely touched. but his involuntary
SILVER OF repulsion was communicate
ed To my frame even in that swift
contact.
Five minutes after he had gone
left my room and strolled to the head
of the stairs. As I had expected
gentleman was seated upon the lounge
that faced the door of the elevator.
His face was concealed behind a
newspaper But | marked one incon-
gruous circumstance in his apparel.
He wore evening dress and ordinary
street boots OF black leather. I am
afraid I was so vulgar as to permit
myself the indulgence OF a wink.
passed him and leisurely descended
the first flight OF stairs. OF sudden
| stopped. and turning about ran up
stairs again at the top OF my speed.
taking three steps at a time. My
gentleman had already begun 10
descend the stairs. passed him with
out a glance, swearing in a low but
audible key at my forgetfulness. In
another moment | was back in my
! room pressing the electric button:
So" thought /. they have employed
detective TO shadow me. Well. we
shall see."
1n1 m a
door and the waiter entered who had
shown Sir Charles out.
Shut it," said. He obeyed.
Look here" said l. my old friend
Sir Chas venner had just bet me a
hundred pounds that I cannot succeed
in getting ont of this hotel In some
disguise without his suspecting me,
during the next half hour. Now he rs
waiting In the vestibule. is be not?'
The waiter grinned. mo. sir, just
inside the coffee room door. was
wondering what he wanted. He gave
me half a crown. sir"
Half crown" I sneered. Look
here. Martini | selected two brand
new e5 notes. when ! was young
man. before | made fortune out OF
mining. | was on the stage. With
your help. my man, I'll do Sir Charles
IN. do him brown--and these notes
will be yours for helping me-"
Martins eyes almost burst out of
their sockets. "All right, sir! he
cried excitedly. What do you want
me TO dor
Exchange clothes with me for 10
minutes. All I'll have to do to win my
bet Is 10 slip out OF the house and re-
turn. Hurry up"
But he had already begun to slip of
his coat. The bank notes were tightly
clutched between his teeth, so he
could not reply. I induced him to re-
move even his boots and In five min
utes was to all appearances a hotel
waiter.
| then strobe down the corridor and
turned the corner with the brisk step
and manner OF a waiter going on an
urgent message. NV gentleman spy
was again seated on the lounge that
faced the elevator and once more In
trenched behind newspaper.
He threw at me one quick glance
over the edge OF the journal and his
face vanished. Running down the
stairs 7 reached the vestibule. which
10 nv delight was thronged win
guests. A moment later. having
given the coffee room a wide berth,
nassed through the open hall door
and gained the street. A gentleman
was standing on the footpath paying
off cab from which he had just
aIIghted. sprang into the vehicle
and drove to Piccadilly circus. A sec
ond took me to Marble arch and q
third to Bruton-st. Feeling assured
that had not been followed | shipped
unstairs and into my room.
An hour later Brown, Sir VIM. Dag.
mars discreet valet. stepped out OF
an omnibus before the general post
Office. letter in hand. addressed to Sir
Chas Venner. The letter, In printed
characters. contained these words;
tomorrow afternoon. at 4:30. In
or,re al BolIngbroke hotel, Piccadilly.
/ for DR.. Rudolf Garschagen. Bank OF
England notes alone acceptable. Dag
mar IT,"
/ slept that night at Bruton-st
1To he Continued.)