El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-04-15
(By A. G. GreenwOOd.)

= WALKED from Sloane Square sta
ton trying accurately to remem
= Der my sisters directions. L mad
never been to her new fat. tut wnei
she had kindly met me at Euston tha
evening she had given me full instruc'
tions and a latch key.
Dismally 1 tried to recollect the ex.
act directions. incidentally 1 recalled
the name of the f1ats-Royal Court
and heaving a sigh of relief, inquired
of policeman.
Armed with full information, sci
forth boldly; to my surprise l hit on
ROYAL Court mansions without the leasl
difficulty. congratulated myself
opened the outer door of the building
and disdaining my sisters directions TO
switch on the lights by the hrst
switch in the second row" Git sounded
too complicated), walked up in the
dark.
Second fioor-door on the left, she
had told me, so huggfng the banisters.
I crept up so as not to wake her, and
slipped my key into the lock After
bachelors dinner one is always apt to
imagine ones relatives being some
what suspicious about the state one
returns in. The lock annoyed-it was
stiff. 1 bore on the key. twisting it
With a report like a pistol shot 1t
turned, and 1 stepped into the hall.
Very softly 1 shut the door and locked
I'D, and, then, looking critically about
me, considered my bearings
First door on the right if you want
a drink; straight on round the corner,
third on your left, for your bedroom,
my sister had informed me.
Drink" thought 1 eve had honestly
been abstemious). and crept across the
carpeted passage, noiselessly opening
the door There was a light in the
room, which let me see what strange
place it was. The walls were hung
with tapestry, the floor was parquet
with few huge Persian rugs and
dotted Moorish stools. A great easel
stood in one corner with picture. half
finished, leaning against it, while on
Uttered table stood the remains Of a
meal. There had evidently been one
diner. My uneasy glance went around
the studio.
'Old Jim-dry as dust Jim, the solic-
itor, to take up painting in his old
agew I reflected. cit can't be Ida"
(my sister,; she couldn't paint the leg
of a table,"
Then my startled eyes fell on
young man dressed in rather outre
evening dress. velvet collar and frilled
shirt, lounging in the only arm chair
before a huge Dutch blue china stove
Even as 1 stared at him he opened MS
eyes. An expression, what emotion 1
can't say. f1ickered across his face, and
he jumped out of his chair.
How did you get in?" he dena nded.
I've been waiting for your knock.
You didn't expect to see me. eh::''
He paused, took up a commanding
position before the fire, and pulled
revolver from his dresscoat pocket.
Rather got you, eh?" he went on,
smiling grimly. 81 wondered If you'd
be fool enough to fall into my little
plot"
TT seems I've fallen into Bedlam."
I retorted. who are you, and what're
you talking about?"
Now. then, cards on the table," he
replied easily. TIN armed-and by
God 1 won't hesitate to stretch you
stiff If you put up any resistance. Cards
on the table-skeleton keys and all, or
whatever means you employed to get
into the fat. Now, tell me- he added
grinning. evidently well pleased,
you're bit surprised to see me; that's
so?"
Look here" said heatedly, ''elther
you're mad or you're playing such a
laundering bad joke that"
Gently" he demonstrated. You've