Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1910-05-27

4SIeeleS Blduce swung
around. played brightly on the noble
man.
The latter's face remained .mpas-
sive. He lifted his foil carelessly and
swung it. The hiss that followed
might have been construed as a chal-
lenge. John Steele tossed aside his
coat.
Ronsdale's eyes suddenly narrowed.
Expectancy made itself felt in his
manner. Aren't you going to roll up
your sleeve?" he asked softly. "Usu-
ally find it gives greater freedom of
movement myself"
Perhaps you are right" Steele said
coolly, and, following the nobleman's
example, he pushed back his sleeve.
The action revealed the splendid arm
of the perfectly trained athlete, mark
ed, however. by a great scar extend
Ing from just above the wrist to the
elbow.
bad jab that. Steele!" cried Sir
Charles. Looks as if it might have
been made by an African spear!'
NO" John Steele smiled.
Lord Ronsdale breathed quickly.
Recent wound, I should say"
Not very DID," said John Steele.
"If there's a good story back of 1t
wen have 1t later" Captain Forsythe
remarked.
Their blades crossed. Ronsdale's
suppleness of wrist and arm, his cold
steadiness, combined with a knowl-
edge of many fine articles, had al
ready made him a favorite with those
of the men who cared to back their
opinions with odd pounds.
'Ten to five!' one of the men a
her called out joyially. "Odds on Rons-
dale! Any takers?"
"Done!'
Jocelyn saw John Steele draw him
self back sharply just in time. She also
fancied a new, ominous CLEAN in his
eyes. His demeanor underwent an
abrupt change. If Ronsdale's quick
ness was catlike the others movements
had now all the swiftness and grace
of a panther.
"Hello!' Through the swishing of
steel she heard again the man at her
side exclaim, make some laughing re-
mark, Perhaps I'd better hedge
But even as he spoke, with a hercer
thrusting and %parrying of blades, the
end came. A sudden irresistible move
ment of John Steele's arm and the no.
bleman's blade clattered to the floor.
"Egad! l never saw anything pref
tier!'' Sir Charles came forward quick
ly. Met your match that time, Rons-
dale"
The nobleman stopped for his foil.
THAT time, yes!" he drawled.
Steele found himself walking with
Jocelyn Wray toward the window
Across the room a footman now APP
preached Lord Ronsdale and extended
a salver.
John Steele's glance flashed toward
Ronsdale. The telegram. then, had
been for He saw .AQn Nv Ht2ble
smile cross the nd
A door closed al
dale Went outW
The afternoon of that same day there
arrived at the village of Strathorn
from London a discreet looking little
man who, descending at the Golden
Lion. was shown to a private sitting
room on the second story. In about
an hour he was joined by Lord Rons-
dale.
"Welr"-he spoke quickly-"I fancy
you have a little something to tell me,
Mr.. GillettY'
ga little s~omething!" The latter
rubbed his hands. More than a lit
tie! The special inquiry which your
lordship mentioned just as he was
leaving my Office proved for a time
most Elusive"
"You mean the object of John
Steele's visit to the c%ontinent?"
Exactly. And. the object of that
visit solved. l have now a matter OF
greatest Importance to communicate,
SO important it could only be impaired
by word of mouth" The police agent
spoke hastily and moved nearer.
Indeed! You have reached a con-
clusion, one that you sought to re-
ject perhaps, but that wouldn't be dis
carded?"
Mr.. Gillett looked at him earnestly.
"You don't mean-it isn't possible that
you knew all the while?
"Let us start at the beginning"
"True, your lordship." Mr.. Gillett
swallowed. las your lordship is
aware, we were fortunate enough in
the beginning to find out through our
agent in Tasmania that John Steele
came to that place in a little trading
schooner, the Laura Deane of Ports
mouth; that he had been rescued from
q tiny uncnarted rect, or isle, or Dec.
e sepeg three years before. The spot,
by longitude and latitude, marks,
fhrnnoh an odd cnincidnnca the nlnoa