The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-09-11
 } A WOMAN'S {
 1 ENCHANT MENT 2 By William Le Queux Copyright, 1909, by ( William Le Queux
(ContiDued.) CHAPTER XXV.

reveal the conditions under which Winch would guarantee his future safety and immunity from arrest. He seemed to be in fear of the very man who had so mysteriously given me warning that the police were in active search of him.
 Through those long summer days we passed together in the sultan's capi- tal-scorching days, when the city Of mosques palpitated with the blazing heat, when the Bosphorus shone like mirror beneath the monday sun. and when it was only possible to venture out of the hotel ! after sundown-we often discussed the situation, but no ray of light was thrown upon the actual drama that had been enacted in Radcliffe Gardens.
 I reflected upon the past-upon all l knew of Granny Cough.
 One afternoon. as we sat together, the room half darkened by the closed sun-shutters, I gazed upon his burly figure seated back in the shadow.
 We had been speaking of the past, and, with a broken catch in his voice, he had said:
 N'A- bear this position. I'm sponging on you like thfs! Here you are. out here with me, paying my hotel bill and giving me a few louis now and then for pocket money. I-well. old fel- low" he added with emotion, 'I never believed that I could have such a friend as I have found in you.'
 Granny" answered, quietly, linen denounce you and call you ugly names have never done so.'
 "why not 2" he asked, bitterly. "I've observed all I've got. I've sometimes slipped from the path of honesty, but only of dire necessity. I think I-'
 "I know" interrupted. quickly. 'I recoIlect some of your actions-how that cold December day in Paris when I met you in the Place vendome with out an overcoat. you laughed, declar- ing that you were not cold. That night you and left Paris for London and you still had no overcoat. Then you admitted to me that it was Christ mas: that you had no money. and that you had pawned your coat in order to send little Gertie present. You. pre- ferred to go cold and hungry yourself rather than the child should not be made happy like other children"
 ooh, why recall those tf1ings?' he cried. inpatiently, starting up and pacing the dinaJy lit room. I believe that tears were in the eyes of the big, burly fellow. but could not discern them. "You know how I adore the child" he said. 'Ive lived only for her. and. thank heaven. Providence has now provided for her future. My anxiety is relieved. But look here, PhiI,'' he said, halting suddenly before me with fists clenched in desperation, 'I shan't be able to stand living on your charity much longer. I know that you believe in me and all that. But I'm a bore. nuisance and an ex- pense to you. I see no way out of this hole-except one"
 And what's that?"
 "A very simple one-to steal"
 s'Rubbish!'
 "Oh but meant it,' he declared. 'I've tried to lead as honest a life as I could. though I've been compelled often to mix with tough crowds and crooks of the worst class. I could to- morrow join one of the little crowds who work the International game, pinching sparklers and other valuable trifles. and earn quite a good living at it. I've lost Myra already-so what have I now to care for? I've got no reputation to study in future.''
 "Oh!'' I said. 'Then you would risk little Gertie knowing, when she grows to be woman, that her foster father was thief. eh?''
 He did not answer for some mo- ments.
 "Well. what matter?" he asked, bit terly t'Is not her foster father all ready branded as a murderer?'
 Denounced by man who is .ad- mittedly a scoundrel." I said quickly. "A man who has secret motives in in- forming Myra and her father of your real position"
 "Yes. secret motives he echoed pensively. ''I wonder what they really are. Phil? I wonder who that man really is? Do you know he went on, "that fellows actions are character ized by a boldness and an ingenuity that make me suspect him of deeper motives than those we believe. The manner in which he worked old Soutzo in Roumania, with the aid of that ter rible woman Popescu as his screen was clever to degree, and shows me that it was not his first hand in a game of that sort. He played his cards we'll. That must be admitted" :" Would that I could at that moment have explained all that Elfrida-the girl with the wonderful eyes-had tol6 me. But I had unfortunately given my pledge. I was powerless. He played his cards so well that he holds you in his hands as the ace o1 | trumps, it seems.'' "Yes.'' he murmured. "He does" And is there no means of escape Granny? Do be frank with me, old fellow. Teu me. straight out. the
 whole story! Surely you can rely upor | my secrecy-even if''-and I lowered
 my voice-"well even if you are l guilty"
 "Guilty!" he echoed in a voice scarce l above a whisper. Why need I tel you, Phil. anything further than what | vO11'Ua already Pathered2 Chilly