Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-16
CHAPTER XXVIII-Continued.

They were almost within sight of Hol-
caused them to look away into the mid
die of the road. Laverick only cast one
glance there and abandoned every in
stinct of curiosity. thinking once more
only OF himself and his own position.
With the constable. however. 1t was nat
urally different. He saw something which
called at once for his Intervention. and
he Immediately forgot the somewhat sim
gular task upon which he was engaged.
A man had fallen in the middle OF the
street. either knocked down by the shaft
of passing vehicle or in some sort OF
tit. There was a tangle Of rearing horses.
an omnibus was making desperate ef-
forts to- avoid the PROSTATE body. The
constable sprang to the rescue. LAverick.
there was no one in front of him, turned
swiftly around. He was just in time 70
receive upon his left arm the blow which
had been meant for the back of his head.
He was confronted by q man dressed ex.
actly as he himself was. in morning coat
ana SILK hat. a man with long, lean
face and legal appearance. such a per-
son as would have passed anywhere with.
out attracting moments suspicion. Yet
In the space Of a few seconds he had
whipped out from one pocket. with the
skill almost of juggler. a vicious looking
life-preserver. and from the other a
pocket handkerchief soaked with chloro-
form. Layerick. quick and resourceful.
feeling his left arm sink helpless, struck
at the man with his right and sent him
staggering against the wall. The hand.
kerchief. with its load Of sickening odor,
fell to the pavement. The man was obvt.
ously worsted. Laverick sprang at him
They were almost unobserved. for the
crowd was all intent upon the accident
in the roadway. With wonderful skill. his
assailant e,uded his attempt to close and
tore at his coat. Laverick struck at him
again. but met only the air. The mans
fingers now were upon his pocket, but this
time Laverlck made no mistake. He
struck downward SO hard that with q
fierce cry OF pain the man relaxed his
hold. Before he could recover Laverick
had struck at him again. He reeled into
the crowd that was fast gathering around
them. attracted by what seemed to be q
fight between two men Of unexceptionable
appearance. But there was to be nc
more fight. Through the people. swift
footed, cunning, resourceful, his assailani
seemed to find some hidden way. LAYER
lex glared fiercely around him, but the
man had gone His left hand crept to his
chest. The victory was with him: the
document was still there.
AT the outside Of the double crowd he
perceived "a taxi Ignoring the storm OF
questions with which he was assailed and
the advancing helmet Of his friend the
policeman at the back Of the crowd, Law.
erick railed 1t and stepped quickly inside
street" he directed
The man obeyed him. People raced &c
look through the window at him. The
other cOmmotion had died away-the mar
in the road Rad got up and walked off
A policeman came hurrying along. but hi
on their way down Holborn. Once more
Laverick had escaped.
A French man-servant, with the sac
face and Immaculate dress Of q High
Church cleric, took possession Of him q.
soon as he had asked for Mile Idiale. H,
was shown into one OF the most delight
full little rooms he had ever even dreamed
Of. The walls Were hung with that re
culiar shade of blue satin which made
moiselle so often affected In her clothes
averick, who was something Of a con
noisseur, saw nowhere any object which
was not. of its sort, priceleSs-French fur
niture of the best and choicest period. q
statuette which ma0S him, for a moment
almost forget the scene from which he
had just arrived. The air in the room
seemed as though It had passed through
a grove OF lemon trees-it was fresh ard
sweet. yet curiously fragrant. Laverich
sank down into cre OF the luxurious blue
brocaded chairs. conscious for the first
time that he was out OF breath. Then
the door opened silently and there en-
tered not the woman whom he had been
expecting. but Mr.. Lassen. Laverick rose
to his feet half doubtfully. I.assen's small,
queerly shaned face seemed to have be-
come one huge. ingratiating smile.
Il am very glad to see You. Mr.. LAYER
ick." he said: very glad. indeed
Il have come to call upon Mile. Idiale.'
Laverick answered, somewhat CURLY. He
had disliked this man from the first mo-
ment he had seen him. and he saw M
particular reason why he should conceal
his feelings.
Il am here to explain" Mr.. Lassen con-
tinued. seating himself opposite to Law
erick. Mile Idiale is unfortunately pre-
vented from seeirg you. She has q severe
nervous headache. and her only CHARGE
of appearing tonight is to remain perfectly
undsturbed. Women Of her position, as
you may understand. have to be exceD-
tionally careful. It would be a very seri-
Gus matter. indeed. II she were unable to
sing tonight"
IT am exceedingly sorry to hear It."
Laverick answered. In that case I will
call again, when Mile. Idiale has recov-
ered.''
by all means. my dear sir!'' Mr.. Las
sen exclaimed. MANY times. let us hone
But in the meantime. there is a little af-
fair of a document which you were going
to deliver to mademoiselle. She is most
anxious that you should hand ii to ME
most anxious She will tender You her
thanks personally tomorrow or the next
day. If she is well enough to receive
Laverick shook his head firmly.
Under no circumstances, he declared
should I think of delivering the doc,i.
ment into any other hands save those Of
Mile Idiale. To tell YOU the truth, had