The Detroit times., 1910-04-22
NUMBER THIRTEEN
A Powerful Serial Story.
BY F. M. WHITE,
.p,hor Weight OF
"N'"N' - - be

Il know that | shall cut but a sorry
figure when come 10 tell my story,
but | have reckoned up al; that. But
II come out of this thing badly, what
OF yourself? Everybody will know
your story, you will fad every door IN
London closed upon you. All your
little schemes for getting rich at the
expense OF other people will fall TO
the ground.
The speaker paused and looked az
the resplendent figure in the chair OPP
posite. Lady Altamonts face was
white with anger. and her eyes were
cleaning like living Goals. She was
holding herself well in hand. but the
hidden fire below burned holly.
Il see, | had underestimated your
strength" she said. Let me admit
freely that | looked upon You as a
boy whom could treat as | pleased.
At the same time | feel sure tha
there is somebody behind YOU in the
matter So. unless | give YOU the
jewels you are pledged TO ruin me
socially? ,"
1T is not a thleat-it is an act Of
Isclfdefense'
Very we'll Call il by any name
YOU like. Ii is ali the same To me. |
have listened with great patience 10
all you have To say. and now | VIII
ask you TO hear my side OF the ques'
ton admit that have obtained pos
session OF your mothers gems. What
then?
Wanless shrugged his shoulders: he
did not quite understand what was
coming next.
There is a confidence for you"
Lady Altamont smiled. Il stand Dc.
fore you thief, selfconfessed and
self-condemned. If you had a witness
now you could condemn me TO a long
term of penal servitude. Are YOU SAT
lsfed, or do you desire to hear more
# can see that there is more to
come, said WanleSs. Pray continue.
Thank you very much. Mr.. Wan
I less. Those jewels came into ms
hands owing TO your own folly and
vanity But you cay that You are quite
prepared 10 admit that when the time
comes 10 give evidence against me
/ Very good Doubtless YOU have a vivid
recollection OF thu night i'm question
/ An important part in the transaction
was played by one Ronald Braybrooke
who had fancy AT that time for call
/ ing himself John Stern. All the same
We knew who he was Sir Charles
land myself and enc member OF the
I yachts crew couiI tell the rest of the
story You might say that the drown
I ing OF Ronald Braybrooke was an acct
dent; on the other hand. We could
prove that il was either manslaughter
a
drift OF my remarks II am to SUI
fer you shall suffer, too. If lgo ID
jail. you accompany me. Perhaps you
may be hanged At any rate your pun
,shment is likely To be heavier than
mine And that is why ! can stand be-
fore you and cyrically admit posses
sion OF your mothers jewels. and AZ
the same time defy You TO do your
worst. Have you anything more -
say?"
Z The last words rang out in a strain
OF triumph. But If they were intended
ITO bring Wanless to his knees they
singularly failed in their effect.
II am not afraid. the young man re
piled. with a quicS smile. Let us fight
/ t out TO the bitter end, seeing that W.
have gone SO far. iii tell my story n
one police court. and you can tell yours
in another And as this painful inter
view has already lasted long enough
| propose for ii to come TO an end.
shall have the pleasure OF seeing you
in another place in the course OF few
hours, unless you like 10 comply with
my request and give back my mothers
property
The woman was moved at last. She
was obviously frightened and i'll at
case. Here was a quiet determination
that nothing could break down. AnI
after her last declaration she had
quite expected TO see Wanless grovel-
ing on his knees before her On the
contrary. there was quiet smile on
his face that looked as if he were
amused about something.
You had better take care Lady
Altamont said between her teeth. 1t
is evident TO me that you do not realize
the seriousness OF your position. A
word from me"