The San Francisco call., 1910-01-02

and continued to the end of the block then
the other pavement and back again There was side
entrance and it occurred TO him that the girl prob
ably would leave by that. In any he must watch
from an angle that would command both doors. He
crossed Fifth and took up his position at a
point diagonal to the Woodbne mansion.
1t was chilly, but when he hugged himself in his
it more the result of excitement than of the
damp wind. A Holmes officer passed and glanced at
him curiously. He unbuttoned his coat and looked
his watch in the light of the lamp. The officer
reassured by that fash of conventional shirt BOSOM
resumed his way. A quarter after o-nearly time
for something to happen, he thought. Beyond the
downtown corner the shadowy figure still stand
ing facing the front door of the house Evidently the
conspirators had their watcher on the ground
Down the side street he caught the glare OF two
head lamps, rejecting along the wet asphalt The
grinding check of gasoline engine sounded and
ceased An automobile had halted at the end of the
block, near the Madison avenue corner and on the
side toward the Woodbine house Carter waited a
moment to whether the watcher madea move.
Apparently he had not heard and could not see the
machine. The Virginan moved slowly toward Madi-
avenue. >
The automobile was an ordinary affair apparently
hired from garage. The rubber coated driver had
left his seat and was tinkerng the farther side
of the hood. Carter drew the curb as he
of the interior of the limousine 1t showed Jimmy
Hope, sitting on the edge of the seat and peerng
through the forward glass in the direction of the
Woodbine house. He had seen the thin, dissipation
weakened face too often in the newspapers mis-
take it. He glanced toward the chauffeur and saw
that the had not noticed him; then took the
situation two handed, slid up beside the door and
opened it half foot.
Hope jumped nervously back into a corner with
a startled exclamation Carter thrust his head
boldly within.
at loss to how to begin. II should not intrude
if this not serious matter
go away please go away" pleaded Hope incoher-
emily. And then, probably from force of habit, "I
haven't anything for you."
In spite of the tension Carter smiled at the word
The before him was so obviously helpless, so
pitifully incapable of grasp and management But
every minute counted now. The conspirators might
start the wheels of their plan whatever 1t was be-
fore he could get grip on this weakling
Listen" he said sharply. Some of your good
friends to whom you confded your plans have fixed
a scheme to head you of. Please understand me,
Miss Woodbine's brother knows all about 1t and he's
got others to help him. l don't know their names,
except that two are Scofeld and Stuyver Don't
waste any time asking questions. Do what say I'm
playing your side"
Hope moved toward him, seeking to make out his
face. Carter saw his purpose and moved so that a
ray from the lamp fell athwart his face. 1t
was well that the should have his image fixed
clearly.
REVEALING THE PLOT
mo, you don't know me-" he said. anticipating
Hopes objection. MY is Robert Carter. Re-
member that when this is You have the
girl as you have planned If you follow my advice.
Otherwise you've gone to smash, for 1 tell you by
some means these friends of yours will get you and
Miss Woodbne in situation that will turn her
against you She Is to be compromised and then
they are to offer her an alternative"
Hope seemed to recover hold upon himself
under the torrent of crisp, startling sentences.
How do you know" he cried.
Never mind. The point is, will you do l tell
you?'