The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-11-20

where he Is now is being closely watched
and his visitors Swallowed"
The face OF the young man grew
thoughtful for a moment; then he said
slowly: Look here. you call yourself
Sir Douglas Mallaby on the piece OF
pasteboard. but how am I TO know any
thing about you? Surprising all you say
is right how are you to expect me TO
say anything that VIII get myself into
trouble? Not that could, OF course" he
added quickly. but am not In the wit
ness box, and until then / don't intend
10 give myself away"
Then / suppose must go. Sir Doug"
| las said slowly, hut when / saw you
come out OF that house thought you
looked an honest sort OF boy, In spite OF
your acquaintance with the ruffian who
is living there. and I made up my mind
to appeal 20 your sense or decency, and
ask you 10 tell me any details in Knights
past life that may help me 20 bring an
other charge against him as well as that
OF fraud I ask" he added, "for some
one else's sake; some one whose whole
future might be spoiled by him If this
isn't done"
There Is nothing can tell your was
the logged answer IF the house In
| Harrington street is so well watched
/ should think you don't need 20 drag In
the help OF one of the gang'H
"Then you refuse hnally?" Sir Douglas
said.
'T refuse 20 say that I am sufficiently
acquainted with the inmates OF the house
in Harrington street to tell you anything
about them" the young man replied,
earelessly. "There are quite enough
| sleuth-hounds after the man, and IT'S
not sporting for every one TO join in the
ehasel"
Il agree with your Sir Douglas an
xWered, but / am asking for help that
only a close acquaintance Of Knight
could give me. II / got that / would. so
far as 1 WAS concerned. drop the chase
altogether
The dark eyes of the boy sparkled in
quisitively. what is II you're so keen
on knowing
Whether, TO your knowledge. this man
l-Knight-or Usher, as you might know
him, has ever been married"
There was a moments pause. then the
answer came slowly: He has once-not
! so very long agoF'
Sir Douglas face fell. He had hoped
so ardently that the slim youth might
be a protege In some way Of the man who
had taken HIS cousins place, and would
|
help Rosemary 10 be free from the
shackle that stin chung TO her.
Then. he asked. the Mrs. knight 10
whose funeral he went yesterday was his
mother"
YES" came the surprised answer.
but you appear TO know a great deal;
l wonder you don't know moreP'
II probably shall soon,' he replied
gravely. In the meantime, l must thank
you for having replied 20 my question.
am sorry TO have troubled you. and
hope you will excuse my having entered
this house so unoeremonIouslyF'
AS he went down the steps, he hap
pened to look back at the window, and,
for a moment, his eyes met a quick,
flashing glance OF amusement from the
dark ones OF the young man he had
Just left. A sudden wonder spFang up
in him as 10 whether he had been fooled
or not
Anyway, il doesn't much matter" he
muttered. He did tell me that knight
had been married. and, II course. that
can mean only the wretched marriage
to RosemaFy! Oh, my poor little dari-
ingi" he murmured. how am I 20 free
you from this miserable tie without kill
ing the man? I don't care button for
the money as long as 1 could be sure OF
YOU"
AS soon as he turned the corner he felt
touch on his arm. He wheeled round
sharply and met the mild gaze OF a man
he had never seen before.
Sir Douglas Mallaby?" the stranger
inquired
Yes; who are your
zone OF Mr.. Thaws men," was the re-
. ply Il followed you 10 the house from
I
see. We are shadowing two places at once
and. recognizing you, thought It better
10 be- extra CAREFUL
do you know who that boy is? Sir
! Douglas asked quickly. He is a friend
OF our man, Knight, I suppose?"
The detective smiled. THE house is
owned by a Nine ValcO. who lives very
quietly. She is on the stage. and the
young gentleman you saw come out OF
the house in Harrington street IS sup
pose her brother. / was surprised tc
find him stop at this house; il is the last
We suspected of being mixed up with the
other lot"
Then you nave watched it before p
Sir Douglas asked.
NO. sir; but. of course we shall now
Remember that I don't want any &C.
tive steps 10 be taken Til every detail
is worked out about knights past life.
Sir Douglas went on. Mr.. Thaw ha:
| my instructions"
! Then he sprang into a hanson and wen
! back TO Mr.. Dacre's office. He had beer
away only a couple OF hours altogether
but when he reached the office he lookeC
worn and haggard
: Failed" he said briefly. I only learn
ed that the marriage with Rosemary wa.
the only one. The revolver is no use IN
e less I shoot myself" he added. bitterly
Don't be a fool, mani! Dacre said
5 sharply. Il thought you had more pluck
! Anyway. while you have been away
: something has happened, and you will re
quire all the nerve and pluck you pos
Y | sess."
D Sir Douglas looked up with startled
eyes
What do you nieeL?' he said sharply
l For answer Mr. Dacre put a thin
] orange-tinted strip of paper into hi
hand This came an hour ago" he said
I 1T was lucky you left your address witt
. Keziahl"
: Sir Douglas snatched the paper from
his hand and read:
e Miss French disappeared with he
a ladyship-cannot be found. Come a
I, oncei"
S Good God, nanP' he stammered. wit
o white lips. What does 1t mean-hoy
0 can they have disappeared? We only lef
yes erday m3rning!"
1T Is some further mischief on the par
of your enemy!' Dacre said. graveiy
THE one person 10 answer that ques
ton is Stephen Usher-or Knight"
Sir Douglas crushed the paper in hi
3 hand. His face was Geathly pale, and 4
e hts eyes was a look that meant red dan
o ger. 81 Will go back 20 that hous
[ and find him." he said, "and wiring III
| truth from him. and II she Is hurt-on