Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1910-08-26

bitterly, "of the fool brute. You lost
no time in making your escape. Little
was said between you and Joe. but he
proved amenable to your suggestion
The way out Of the difficulty was
found. He hated the Pet. who had
once or twice handled him roughly for
abusing this poor creature. You gave
Joe money to have the landlady's tes-
timony agree with his. She never got
that money" meaningly. but gave the
desired evidence. Joe had found out
something"
The speaker stopped. There re-
manned a crucial test II Lord Rons-
dale had the paper what John Steele
was about to say would cause him no
surprise. He would be prepared for it.
The words fell sharply:
THE landlady's son, Tom Rogers,
was at the time in the house, in hiding
from the police. He was concealed
above In a small room or garrett.
Through stovepipe opening, disused,
he looked down into the sitting room
below and heard. saw allw
The effect was instantaneous, mag
ical. Lord Ronsdale sprang to his feet.
John Steele looked at him, ut the wav.
ering face. the uncertain eyes. No
doubt existed now In his mind Gillett
had not secured the paper or he would
have given 1t to his patron when they
were alone. That fact was patent
The document was gone irretrievably.
There could be no hope Of recovering
1t. The bitter knowledge that 1t had
really once existed would not serve
John Steele long. But with seeming
resolution he went on: II had the
story from his own lips" deliberately,
put In the form of an affidavit. duly
signed and witnessed"
This is a subterfuge."
ut Is true"
"Where-is the paper? You did not
have 1t ut Strathorn. II you had you
would have taken advantage of it."
John Steele looked Mt the drawer.
The affidavit was not there. but some
tnlng else was.
Lord Ronsdale sank back into his
chair. you have. out of fancy, con.
structed libelous theory. one that
you would be laughed Mt for advanc-
Ing. A cock and bull story about pa
per that doesn't exist. that never ex-
listed" A sound ut the door caused
him 10 turn sharply. Mr.. Gillett came
In.
"Well?"
II have here paper that one Of our
men has Just turned over to me-"
John Steele started. but neither Of the
others noticed. lie found Il Mt the
last place we We're. Evidently II had
been dropped by the fellow who was
there and who fed Mt our coming" As
he spoke he stepped nearer the desk.
in his hand n paper
''What is it?" Lord RonsdaIc de-
manded testify.
Mr.. Gillett did not at once answer
He looked at John Steele. The latter
stood like statue. Only his eyes were
turned toward the nobleman. to the
thin nristocratic hand yet resting on
the edge Of the drawer.
III your lordship will glance Mt it?'
said Mr.. Gillett. profrering the sheet.
The nobleman did so. III, face
changed. Ills eyes seemed unable to
leave the paper. Suddenly he gave a
smothercd explanation. tore the sheet
once and started up. took step to-
ward the fire.
stop" The voice was John Steele's.
He stood now next to the partly OPEN
ed drawer. In hi, hand that which had
been concealed there-somcthingb bright.
shining. Lord Ronsdale wheeled. look.
ed at the weapon and into the. eyes be-
hind It, "Place those two hits Of pa-
per thereon the edge Of the deskw