, 1910-06-23
CHAPTER TX.

Fifteen minutes passed without a
word being spoken. There was deep
question and eyed his interlocutor
closely, as if in doubt as to his identi-
y. In a cockney accent he said
loftily:
i am Ferris, Mr.. Underwood's mah,
sir." Suspiciously, he added: Are
you a friend of Mr.. Underwood's, sir?"
He might we'll ask the question, for
Towards disheveled appearance and
CHASTITY face, still distorted by terror,
vas anything but reassuring. Taken
by SURPRISE, Howard did not know
what to say, and like most people
questioned at a disadvantage, he an
swered foolishly:
Matter? No. What makes you
think anything is the matter?"
Brushing past the man, he added:
It's late. I'm going"
Stop a minute!" cried the man
servant. There was something in
Towards manner tina HI did not like.
Passing quickly into the sitting room.
he called out: Stop "a minute!" But
Howard did not stop. Terror gave
him wings and, without waiting for
the elevator, he was already half way
down the first staircase when he
heard shouts behind him.
"Murderi Stop thief! Stop that
man! Stop that mani"
Their was a rush of feet and hhm
of voices, which made Howard run
all the faster. He leaped down our
steps at a time in his anxiety to get
away. But it was no easy matter de-
scending SO many flights OF stairs. 1t
took him several minutes to reach the
main floor.
By this time the whole hotel was
aroused Telephone calls had quick
ly warned the attendants, who had
promptly sent for the police. By the
time Howard reached the main en-
trance he was intercepted by a mob
too numerous to resist.
Things certainly looked black for
him. AS he sat, white and trembling,
under guard in a corner of the en-
trance hall, waiting for the arrival OF
the police, the valet breathlessly gave
the sensational particulars to the rap
idly growing crowd of curious on
lockers. He had taken his usual Sun
day out n On returning home at
midnight, as was his custom, he a
let himself In with his latchkey. To
his establishment he had found this
man. the prisoner, about to leave the
premises. His name and remarks
were so peculiar that they at once
aroused his suspicion. HI hurried into
the apartment and fond his master
lying dead on the foor in a pool of
blood. In his hurry the assassin had
dropped his revolver, which was lying
near the corpse. As far as he could
see, nothing had been taken from the
apartment. Evidently the man was
disturbed at his work and. when sud
denly surprised, had made the bluff
that he was calling on Mr.. Under
wood. They had got the right man,
that was certain. He was caught red
handed, and in proof of what he said,
the valet pointed to Towards right
hand, which was still covered with
blood.
How terrible!" exclaimed a woman
b~ystander, averting fer face. 80
young, tool"
It's all a mistake, I tell you. It's
all a mistake" cried Howard. almost
panic-stricken. I'm a friend of MIR.
Underwood's."
Nice friend!" sneered IN onlooker.
Tell that to the police" laughed
another.
'Or to the m%arines!" cried a third.
Its the chair for his'n!" opined a
fourth.
BY this time the main entrance nall
was crowded with people, tenants
and passersby attracted by the un'
wonted commotion. A scandal in high
life is always caviare to the sensa-
ton seeker. Everybody excitedly in
quired Of his neighbor:
What Is 1t? What's the matter?"
Presently the rattle of wheels was
heard and a heavy vehicle driven furi-
ously, drew up at the sidewalk with
a jerk. 1t was the police patrol
wagon, and in 1t were the captain of
the precinct and a half dozen police
men and detectives. The crowd
pushed forward to get a better view
of the burly representatives of the
law as, full of authority, they elbowed
their way unceremoniously through