Five Mile Beach weekly journal., 1910-06-17
COPYRIGHT. 1909. By Il BoBBs-MERRnl
COMPANY

"a - - @Ae ~ 1850
word for it." leaning over and labori-
ously tracing a few letters on the pa
per. you'll do your part. You'll find
me square and aboveboard. although
you did use me a little rough. There
here's your affadavy."
John Steele moved back to a corner
of the room and pulled a wire. In
some faraway place a bell rang faint
~. Archie spoke a woman's name.
obviously a sobriquet, land her daugh-
ter still here?"
"How?"
"Never mind; answerv
Yes; they're here, gov'ner. You'll
want them for witnesses. l suppose
Not long after, the paper. duly wit
messed, lay on the table. The land
lady and her daughter had gone. John
Steele only waited for the ink to dry.
He had no blotter or sand. The fluid
was old. thick. The principal sigma
ture in its Dig strokes, with here and
there a sputter. would be unintelligible
if the paper were folded now. So he
fingered. Both men were silent. a
few tense minutes passed. John Steele
leaned against the wall. His temples
%throbbed. The fog seemed creeping
into the room and yet the door was
closed. He moved toward the paper.
Still maintaining an aspect of outward
vigilance. be took 1t and held 1t before
him as If to examine closer.
The other said nothing. made no
movement. When the women had
come in his accents had been almost
too frank. The gentleman had called
ON q little matter of business. He.
Tom Rogers. had voluntarily signed
this little paper, and they could e
witness to the fact.
John Steele folded the paper anG
placed it in an inside pocket. The
other suddenly breathed heavily. John
Steele, looking at him. walked to the
door leading TO the street. He put hi:
hand or.the keryand-M was abonttn tuEE-
it. but paused. Something without
held his attention-a c%runching SOUND
as of a foot on a pebble. 1t abruptly
revived misgivings that had assailed
him before entering the place.
Involuntarily he turned his head
Tom Rogers sprang behind in a flash
and seized John Steele by the throat
1t was a deadly. terrible grip. The fin
gers pressed harder. The other strove.
but slowly fell. As dizziness began to
merge into oblivion Rogers. without
releasing his hold, bent over.
"You fool. Did you think / would
let you get away with the paper
that l couldn't see you were about
done for?"
He looked at the white face and
started to unbutton the coat. As he
reached in his attention was suddenly
arrested. He threw back his head.
1.-THE traps!"
Voices below resounded without.
$50 that was your camel Well"
savagely, II think 1 have settled with
you"
He had but time to run to the rear
door, unbolt 1t and dash out when a
crashing of woodwork filed the place
and Mr.. Gillett looked in.
When John Steele began to recover
he was dimly aware that he was in a
four wheeler which ratified along slow
ly through streets. At his side sat a
figure that stirred when he did. spoke
in crisp official accents. The police
agent had come well armed and, more
over. had taken the %precaution for
this little journey of providing q cab
in front and one behind. containing
those who knew how to act should
the necessity arise.
Furtively the prisoner felt his peck
ct. The memorandum book contain
ing the paper that had cost so much
was gone. He looked at the agent.
Had it been shifted to Mr.. Gillett's
possession, or (dimly he recalled his as
s~ailant's last words) had Rogers sue
ceeded in snatching the precious evil
dence from his breast before escaping?
In the latter case it had undoubtedly
ere this been destroyed. In the for
mer ii would presumably o 10 be trans
ferred to the police agents employer.
To regain the paper, if it existed.
would be no light task. Yet it was the
pivot upon which John Steele's for
tunes hung. The principal s1gner was
in all likelihood making his way out
of London now. He would in a few
hours reach the sea and after that
disappear from the case.
The carriage suddenly stopped be-
fore an eminently respectable and Sc
date front. and not long after John
Steele, somewhat to his surprise. found
himself In Lord Ronsdale's rooms. The
nobleman sat behind a high desk One
drawer of the desk was slightly open
ed. The police agent he addressed
frst-he should remain in the hall with
his men.
There is no need for many words
between us. Mr.. Steele" Lord Rons
daIe's accents were sharp. Had you
listened to what Mr.. Gillett. on my