Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-21
CHAPTER XXXII.-Continued.

Arthur Morrison was crouching in a
corner Of the room. his evil face turned
upon his aggressor Laverick took quick
stock Of his surroundings. There was the
tall, fair young man-Adolf kahn-whom
he had seen at the Milan a few hours ago
the man who had unsuccessfully forged
his name. There was Iassen, the man
who. under pretense of being her man
ager, had been spy upon Louise. There
was Streuss, with blanched face and
hard features. standing with his back to
the door. There was Zoe and. behind.
her brother. She held out her hands tim
idly toward him and her eyes were soft
with pleading.
II did not want you to come here. Mr.
Laverick,' she cried, softly tr1eo
SO hard to stop you. 1t was not VINO
sent that message"
He took her cold little fingers and raised
them to his lips.
Il know it, dear" he murmured.
Then movement in the room warned
him and he was suddenly on guard. Las
sen was close to his side. some evil pur-
pose plainly enough written In ms pdsty
face and unwholesome eyes. LaVeI1ck
gave him his left shoulder and sent him
staggering across the floor He was angry
at having been outwitted and his eyes
cleaned ominously.
We'll, gentlemen" he exclaimed. you
seem to have taken unusual pains to Sc
cure my presence here Tell me now
what can I do for your
1t was Streuss who became spokesman
He addressed Laverick with the consid-
GRAFTON of one gentleman addressing an
other His voice had many agreeable
qualities. His demeanor was entirely
amicable.
Mr. Laverick," he answered, 'let US
first apologize IL we used a little subter-
fuge to procure for us the pleasure OF
your visit. We are men who are IN
earnest and across whose path you nave
either willfully or accidentally strayed
An understanding between us has become
necessity
Go on" ,Laverick interrupted. Tell
me exactly who you are and what you
want"
'.As to who we are" Streuss answered.
docs that really matter? I repeat that
we are men who are in earnest-let that
be enough. AS to what we want. II IS q
certain document to which We have every
claim and which has come into your pos
session. fiatter you somewhat, MT. Law
erick, IL I say by chance"
Laverick shrugged his shoulders.
LET that co. he said. Il know all
about the document you refer to ana the
notes. They were contained in pocket
into my possession. Prove your claim to
both and you shall have them.
Streuss smiled.
"You will admit that our claim. since
we know Of it's existence" he asked,
suavely, 'is equal to yours?"
certainly" Laverick answered. but
then I never had any idea of keeping
either the document or the money. That
your claim is better than mine Is no guar
antee that there is not some one else
whose title is better still"
Streuss frowned.
"Be reasonable. Mr.. Laverick, he
begged. 1--WE are men Of peace-when
peace is possible. The money OF which
you spoke you can consider as treasure
trove, If you will. but it is our intention
to possess ourselves Of the document. 1t
is for that reason that we are here In
London. I. personally. am committed to
the extent of my life and my honor to Its
recovery"
A declaration Of war, courteously yelled
but decisive. LAverick looked around him
ders.
you know very we'll that do not carry
1t about with me-" he said. THE gentle
man on my left" he added. pointing to
"Quite So" Streuss admitted. I'VE are
not doing you the injustice to suppose
that you would be SO foolhardy as to
trust yourself anywhere with that docu-
ment upon your person. 1t Is in the safe
at the Milan Hotel. may add that
change your quarters, it would have been
in our possession before now. We are
hoping to persuade you to return to the
hotel with one of our friends here and
procure it,
GAS it happens" Laverick remarked,
that is impossible. The man who set the
combination for that particular safe has
gone off duty and will not be back again
at the hotel till tomorrow morning.
But he is to be found" streuss an
and his address are known to us. He lives
with his family at Harvard court. Hamp-
stead. We shall assist you In making 1t
worth his while to return to the hotel or
to give you the combination word for the
safe
You are rather great on detail!" Law
erick exclaimed.
cit is our business. The question for
you to decide, and to decide Immediately.
is whether you are ready to end this. In
some respects, constrained situation, and
give your word to place that document in
our hands,
You are ready to accept my word,
them Laverick asked.
I'VE have a certain hold upon you"
Streuss continued. slowly. Your part
ner Mr.. MOrrison's position in connection
with the murder in Crooked F'riars alley
is. as YOU may have surmised, some
what unfortunate one. Your own ! Will
not allude to. | will simply suggest that
ure of publicity, in fact, as regards this
little affair-weuld not be desirable"
Laverick hesitated. He understood all
that was implied. Morrison's eyes were
fixed upon him-the eyes Of a craven cow
ard. He felt the intensity of the moment.
Then Zoe turned suddenly toward him.
you are not to give it up!'' she cried.
with trembling lips. ''They cannot hurt
you and II is not true-abOut Arthur
Kahn, who was nearest, clapped his
hand over her mouth and Laverick
knocked him down. Instantly the pacific
atmosphere of the room was changed.
Lassen and Morrison closed swiftly upon
Laverick from different sides. Streuss
covered him with the shining barrel Of a
revolver.
Mr.. Laverick," he said, I'VE are not
here to be trified with. Keep your sister
quiet, Morrison. or. by God, you'll swi-g!"
Laverick looked at the revolver-fasci-
mated for an instant by it's unexpected APP
pearance. The face of the man who held