Arizona republican., 1911-01-24
THE ADVENTURES OF
 MR. PETER RUFF
By E. Phillips Oppenheim-Delilah
 from Streatham.
(Copywright, 1909. by the Pearson Pub
 fishing Co.)
(CsAtinEsI /,e,s ,ssfsyGA,)

make me miserable if there is no need for it. Tell me honestly-do you really believe in this woman?"
 He removed her hands gently, and raised them to his lips.
 " My dear girl" he said. "I believe in every one until find them out. l look upon suspicion as a vice. But, at the same time" he added, there are always certain precautions which one takes"
 What precautions can you take? she cried. Can you sit there and make yourself invisible? John Dory is not a fool. The moment he is in this room with the door closed behind him. it is the end"
 We must hope not" Peter Ruff said cheerfully. There are other things which may happen, you know"
 She turned away from him little drearily.
 You do not mind if stay?" she said. am not working tonight. Perhaps, later on, l may be of use!
 As you will" he answered. You will excuse me for a little time. won't you? I have some preparations to make"
 She turned her head away from him. He left the room and ascended the stairs to his own apartments.
 Eight o'clock was striking from St. Martins Church when the door of Peter Ruff's offices was softly opened and closed again. A man in a slouch hat and oyercoat entered, and after feeling along the wall for a moment. turned up the electric light. Violet Brown rose from her place with little sob. She stretched out her hand to him.
 "Peterl she cried. Peter!
 "My name," the newcomer said calmly, is MT. Spencer Fitzgerald"
 "Oh, listen to mel '" she begged There is still time. If you hurry Think how many clever men before you have been deceived by the woman in whom they trusted. Please. please gol Hurry upstairs and put those things away"
 Madam" the newcomer said, am much obliged to you for your in terest, but I think that you are making a mistake. l have come here to meet"
 He stopped short There was soft knocking at the door. A stified scream broke from Violet Browns lips.
 It is too late! she cried. Peter! Peteri
 She sank into her chair and covered her face with her hands. The door was opened and Maud came in. When she saw who it was who sat in Peter Ruff's place, she gave little cry. Perhaps, after all, she had not believed that this thing would happen.
 Spencer! she cried, Spencer. Have you really come back?"
 He held out his hands.
 You are glad to see me?" he asked.
 She came slowly forward. The man rose from his place and came towards her with outstretched hands. Then through the door came John Dory, and one caught a glimpse of others be- hind him.
 If my wife is not glad to sec you. Mir. Spencer Fitzgerald" he said, in tone from which he vainly tried to keep the note of triumph, can as sure you that 1 am. You slipped away from me cleverly at Daisy Villa, but this time I think you will not find it so easy"
 Maud shrank back, and her husband took her place. But MT. Spencer FitZ- gerald looked upon them both as one who looks upon figures in a dream. Miss Brown rose hurriedly from her seat. She came over to him and thrust her arm through his.
 Peter" she said, taking his hand in hers, don't shoot. It isn't worth while. You should have listened to me-"
 The little man in the gold-rimmed spectacles looked at her, looked at Mir. John Dory, looked at the woman who was shrinking back now against the wall.
 Really" he said, this Is the most extraordinary situation in which l ever found myself!
 "We will help you to realize it." John Dory cried, and the triumph in his tone had swelled into a deeper note. "I came here to arrest Mr Fitz. gerald, but hear this young iady call you Peter Perhaps this may be the solution"
 The little man struck the table with the fiat of his hand.
 Come" he said. this is getting a bit too thick. First of all-you," he said, turning to Miss Brown" my name is not Peter, and have no idea of shooting anybody. AS for that lady against the wall, I don't know her never saw her before in my life. As for you" he added, turning to John Dory, you talk about arresting me what for?
 Mir. John Dory smiled.
 There is an old warrant" he said, which l have in my pocket, but l fancy that there are few little things since then which We may have to in- quire into"
 This beats mel " the little man de- clared Who do you think am?"
 MT. Spencer Fitzgerald, to start with" John Dory said [" It seems to me not impossible that we may find another pseudonym for you"
 You. can find as many as you like" the little man answered testify. but my name is James Fitzgerald, and l am an actor employed at the Shaftes- bury Theater, as l can prove with the utmost ease. never called myself Spencer; nor. to my knowledge. was l ever called by such a name. Nor, as I remarked before. have I ever see1
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