The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-21
The House of Ill-Luck
By BLANCHE EARDLEY.
By BLANCHE EARDLEY.

that check and have il cashed first-or
part of it--and the written agreement
Sir Douglas sat down at the table and
drew a dingy bletting pad toward him.
He knew he was doing a thing that both
Dacre and the detective would call weak.
but far, fear dearer TO him than money
was his mother and the girl who was
lost 10 him forever The three men In
the room were desperate caracters. he
knew. and would stick at no villainy TO
gain their ends. but, come what might
he would do his best TO find out where
his loved ones were
For a few seconds he wrote then flung
a check across the table There you
are. and there Is the promise that. pro-
viding / find you TO be telling me the
truth. 1 viii not prosecute you for imper-
sonating my dead cousin. Stephen Ush-
err"
knight examined the check carefully,
and smiled as he saw IL was made out
To Jasper knight, but ne drowned at
the wording OF the written promise OF
his enemy.
you have left yourself loophole
OF escape" he said. by the putting OF
that word providing.
II am paying a heavy price for 1t,
remember" Sir Douglas retorted. Il
must protect myself In some way"
Perhaps your are right" was Knights
reply; hut there is no occasion why
should not cash the check and make
sure that the money is there" Then he
looked at Craven. you had better take
this now; we viii wait for your return
before give Sir Douglas his informa-
ton"
For hale nm hour tho th-aa nor, 4, +ha
room did not exchange a word. Knight
offered cigar TO Sir Douglas. who re-
fused It CURLY. and sat staring out OF the
window with stern, thoughtful eyes. Once
the man CoxOn moved across the room
and poured out a drink. but no one
else moved.
Suddenly the door opened and. Craven
returned. but not alone: behind him Sir
Douglas saw the cold. cruel face of
Laura Craven She bowed coldly To
/ him. a malignant smile on her red lips.
Sir Douglas glanced from one 10 the
other inquiringly. There was something
he could not understand; an electrical
atmosphere had erept into the room
an atmosphere OF hate and enmity that
the suave smile OF Jasper Knight could
not conceal
Now you have the money. which I
presume you viii divide with your part
neTs in fraud. I am waiting for the in
formation for which 1 have paid in
advance, Mr., Knight" Sir Douglas
said coldly. "As soon as you tell me
where may find Lady Mallaby and
Miss French ] will leave your interesting
company"
1T Is a matter OF much regret to
me-" knight began, smoothly. that I
find I am unable 10 give you the infor-
nation you want, because I do not know
1t myself"
For an instance Sir Douglas did not
realize what his answer meant then he
sprang forward 20 find himself covered
by a revolver
You told me a lie" he said. hoarsely.
knight laughed. why not. my friend?
ANS fair in love and war I wanted
money, and you have kindly let me have
$4,000 In cash"
you Internal thief. you are lying to
mel' Sir Douglas cried. You do know
where those women are: this is only
another lie 20 get more money!
1T is gospel TRUTH the other retorted
IAN my friends here will know that ]
! am absolutely honest when I tell you
that have no more idea OF their where
abouts than you have. though one of the
ladies Is married 10 me-"
Perhaps I can help Sir Douglas,
Laura Craven said, suddenly. coming
forward and looking with insolent eyes
/ OF hate into his face.
You" no said. quickly
Yes. To- she laughed ''Have / not
/ just arrived from Luck House. and don't
/ know what / am talking about?" Then
she went on, In a low, bitter voice, shall
I tell you where the pale-faced girl Is
whom you love so dearly? She is locked
up IN the underground passage between
the tower in the maze and Luck House .