The Washington times., 1911-09-07

unique talents, to get yourself mixed
up in an affair of this kind. You are
ruined. And. by Jove. you were a great
man in your own line!'
quickly. that is the truest word you
have spoke this night / was a great
man in my own line. And an: an In
effable fool. Alas!"
He brought his long arms to his sides
with a thud.
why did you do it?'
Il was fascinated - fascinated by
Jules. He. too, is a great man. We
had grand opportunities. here in the
| Grand Babylon. 1t was a great game.
II was worth the candle. The prizes
were enormous.
You would admit these things your
self If you knew the facts. Perhaps
some day You will knew them. for you
are fairly clever person at getting to
ed-hypnotized."
Aid now you are ruiEed."
Not ruined. not ruined Afterward,
In few years. l shall come up again
A man Of genius like me Is never ruined
till he is dead. Genius is always for
given. l shall be forgiven.
suppose AM sent to prison. When
J emerge l shall he no jailbird. l shall
ne Rocco. the great Rocco. And half
the hotels in Europe will want me-
Let me tell you, as man to man,
that YOU have achieved your own deg
1HoEe IS excuse.
know It," said Rocco slowly. Let
Us 60"
Racksole was distinctly and notably
Impressed bv the mainly this master
spirit to whom he vas to have paid
salary at the rate OF three thousand
him ''' -"'
And so, side by side, the captor and
tne captured. they passed into the vast,
deserted corridor Of the hotel
ROCHn he - 81.
first lift
1T will be locked" said RacksoIe.
We must use the stairs tonight
But l have a key. l always carry
one said Rocco, and he pulled one
out OF his pocket and, christening the
iron screen. pushed it open. Racksole
smiled at his readiness and apromb
After you" said Rocco, bowling In
MS finest manner, and Racksole stepped
into the lift.
With the swiftness of lightning Rocco
pushed forward the iron screen, which
locked itself automatically. Theodore
Racksole was hopelessly a prisoner
within the lift, while Rocco stood free
in the corridor.
''Good-by. Mr.. RaSksole," he remark
ed suavely, bowling again, lower than
before. ''Good-by. l hate to take a
mean advantage Of you in this fashion,
but really you will allow that you have
been very simple. You are a clever
man, as l have already said, up to a
certain point 1t is past that point that
my own cleverness comes in. Again,
good-by.
After all. I shall have no rest to-
night, but perhaps even that will be
better than sleeping in a police cell. If
You make a great noise you may wake
some one and ultimately get released
from this lift, but l advise you to
1t will be more dignified. For the third
time, good by"
And with that Rocco, without hasten
ing, walked down the corridor and so
on out Of sight.
Racksole said never a word. He was
too Disguised with himself to speak.
He clenched his fists and put his teeth
together, and held his breath. In the
silence he could hear the dwindling
sound of Rocco's footsteps on the thick
carpet.
1t was the greatest blow of Rack
soles life.
The next morning the high-born
guests of the Grand Babylon were
dent the millionaire proprietor of the
hotel had remained all night locked up
in the lift. 1t was also stated that
Rocco had Quarreled with his new mas
ter and incontinentally left the place.
A duchess said that Rocco's departure
would mean the ruin of the hotel,
whereupon her husband advised her not
to talk nonsense.
AS for Racksole, he sent a message
for the detective in charge of the Dim |
mock affair, and braVely told him the |
happenings Of the previous night
The narration was a decided ordeal |
to a man of Racksole's temperament
"A strange story" commented De- |
tective Marshall, and he could not avoid !
a smile. The climax was unfortunate, |
but you have certainly got some valu- |
able facts"
Racksole said nothing.
Il myself have a clue" added the de-
tective when your message arrived |
I was just coming up to see you. |
want you to accompany me to a certain
spot not far from here. Will you come
now, at once?"
with pleasure" said Racksole.
At that moment a page entered with
q telegram.
Racksole opened It and read: please
come instantly. Nella, Hotel Yelling
ton, Ostend." /
He looked at his watch.
II can't come" he said to the de-
tective. I'm going to Ostend."
ITO Ostend?'
Yes, now"
But, really, Mr.. Racksole," protested
the detective. My business is urgent"
SOS mine" said Racksole.
In ten minutes he was on his way to
Victoria.
A Continuation of This Story Will
BE Found In TomOrrow's