Arizona republican., 1910-12-31
THE ADVENTURES 0F
 MIR. PETER RUFF
By E. Phillips oppenheim-"llI Blows the Wint That Profits
 Nobooy."
.,s,S.Oal. IsOs. sY THB PEARSON PUBLISHING CO
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| from his sitting-room, slipped down i the stairs like a cat-noiseless, swift. i The voice which had summoned him i had been the voice of his secretary a voice almost unrecogniZable-a voice shaken with fear. Fear? No, it had been terror
 On the landing below, exactly under meath the room from which he had de scended, there was q door upon which his name was written upon a small | brass plate - Hr. Peter Raf. He opened and closed it behind him with a swift movement which he had prac- tised in his idle moments. He found himself looking in upon a curious scene.
 Miss Brown, with the radiance of her hair etfectually concealed. in plain black skirt and simple blouse-the ideal secretary-had risen from the seat in front of her typewriter, and was standing facing the door through which he had entered, with q small revolver-which he had given her for 2 birthday present only the day before -clasped in her outstretched hand. The object of her solicitude was. 1t seemed to Peter Ruff, the most pitiful- looking object upon which he had ever looked The hours had dwelt with Merries as the years with some people, and worse He had lost his cap; his hair hung over his forehead in wild confusion; his eyes were red. blood shot, and absolutely aflame with the terrors through whichIle had lived underneath them the black marks might have been traced with a char coal pencil. His cheeks were livid save for one burning spot. His clothes, too, were in disorder-the starch had gone from his collar, his tie hung loosely outside his waistcoat. He was covering back against the wall. And between him and the girl, stretched upon the floor, was the body of man in huge motor-coat, a limp, inert mass which neither moved nor seemed to have any sign of life. No wonder that Peter Ruff looked around his office, whose serenity had been so tragically disturbed, with an air of mild surprise.
 Dear me-" he exclaimed. some thing seems to have happenedi My dear Violet, you can put that revolver away. have secured the door,"
 Her hand fell to her side. She gave a little shiyer of relief. Peter Ruff nodded.
 That is more comfortable" he de- clared. Now, perhaps, you will eX- plain-"
 That young man." she interrupted. "or lunatic-whatever he calls him. selt-burst in here a few minutes ago, dragging-that! "-she pointed to the motionless figure upon the floor. " If l had not stopped him, he would have bolted on without word of eX- planation."
 Peter Ruff, with his back against the door, shook his head gravely.
 My dear Lord Merries." he said, " my office is not mortuary."
 Merries gasped.
 You know me, then?" he nut tered, hoarsely.
 "Of course" Ruff answered. "It is my profession to know everybody. Go and sit down upon that easy-chair. and drink the brandy and soda which Miss Brown is about to mix for you. That's right"
 Merries staggered across the room and half fell into an easy-chair. He leaned over the side with his face buried in his hands. unable still to face the horror which lay upon the floor. A few seconds later. the tum- bier of brandy and soda was in his hands. He drank it like a man who drains fresh life into his veins.
 Perhaps now" Peter Ruff sug- gested. pointing to the motionless fig ure. you can give me some explana- tion as to this!"
 Merries looked away from him all the time he was speaking. His voice was thick and nervous.
 There were three of us lunching together he began -" four alto gether. There was a dispute. and this man threatened us. Afterwards there was a fight. It fell to my lot to take him away, and can't get rid of him. can't get rid of himl he added, with something that sounded like a sob.
 I still do not see," Peter Run argued, why you should have brought him here and deposited him upon my perfectly new carpet"
 You are Peter Ruff," Merries de- clared. "' Crime Investigator and Pri- vate Detective you call yourself. You are used to this sort of thing. You will know what to do with it. It is part of your business"
 I can assure you" Peter Ruff an- swered, that you are under a delu- sion as to the details of my profession. am Peter Ruff," he admitted, |" and call myself a crime investigator-in fact, l am the only one worth speak ing of in the world. But I certainly deny that l am used to having dead bodies deposited upon my carpet, and that I make a habit of disposing of them-especially gratis"
 Merries tore open his coat
 Listen" he said. his voice shaking hysterically, must get rid of it or go mad. For two hours I have been driving about in motor-car with-it for a passenger. I drove to a quiet spot and tried to lift 1t out-a police man rode up! I tried again, a man rushed by on motorcycle and turned IL