The Washington herald., 1911-01-01

80 e0AoA09
life. the abhorrence Of the girl who now
loves you, a ruined life for her. ana
neither father nor lover spared to her,
said Clifford. speaking in . quiet, de-
tone.
'I would rather she abhorred me for
what have not done than that. having
her fathers blood on my hands. she
should regard me with love. 1t would
be unbearable to live with her under
such conditions said Paul.
Then you have counted the cost!
said the other man grimly.
Yes; have. II I did what you asked
me to do 1t would cost me my soul. You
are older than I am, yet you would force
me to do that which could damn my
sould through all eternity"
Paul Clifford's eyes blazed with fury.
Man. what have I got to do with
your soul? I've a soul. but I'd lose it a
thousand times over to get my revenge.
and you-a man who cannot keep his
oath-think to balk me. but 1 tell you
no one in heaven or earth shall do
that he said in q tone that scarcely
rose above whisper of concentrated
fury.
You think not. but there is a power
that can bring your schemes Of ven
SSdhCc " uOtHluS, SAUO dS IOT Ily Oolus
might have kept 1t to my eternal sor-
row if 1 had not become friendly with
the Shenstones. You want me to be-
come second Judas, and l refuse said
Paul.
Then co. replied Clifford, pointing to
the door. and Paul passed out and into
the darkness of the night that seemed to
wrap him round like a mantle, but the
starless sky was as nothing to the black
darkness that rested on his soul as he
thought that unless he succeeded in warn
ing Judge Shenstone there would be muir
der. and it would be laid on him.
This thought reused Paul and made
him resolve to go at once to Arlington
Hall and rouse the judge, and then con-
f1de in him. Perhaps the latter would re-
gard him as insane, but he dare not run
any risks. He would go home first and
tell them that he should probably remain
the night at the Hall. Having come to
this decision Paul strode forward at a
rapid pace.
No sooner had Paul left the room than
Clifford locked the door. Then he went
toward the fireplace, and adroitly touch
ing panel at one side it moved, reveal
ing an aperture large enough to admit a
man.
Clifford passed through this opening and
stood on a broad stone slab. from which
a flight of long, uneven steps descended.
Listening intently he heard footstep.
and. waiting until the step drew nearer.
called out in subdued tone:
rs that you. JOSH
"YeS, govnor,' and a big, thick-Set
man with gray hair. but active and evil
IDENTIFY Of great strength. came slowly up
the steps.
BE quick. Josh. have work for you
to do said Clifford impatiently. His
usual calm seemed to have forsaken him
"AH right. gov'nor, and the man
Quickened his steps: then. on reaching the
little square where Clifford was standing.
| he followed him through the aperture into
what was known as the masters sitting
room.
The existence of the sliding panel that
led to flight Of steps and from there
to an underground passage. from which
another flight of steps gave egress to an
unfrequented corner of the garden. was
| not generally known. The agent who haC
sold the house had evidently not been
aware of the fact. which Mr.. Clifford hac
discovered by accident. and the knowl.
edge had been of value TO him in many
ways, particularly after the advent oi
Clelland as il had enabled the man called
Joshua TO leave the house unknown to any
one This man knew about Clifford's pas
! life. though TO all he appeared only hi:
masters valet and confidential servant
But Josh was more than that; he knew
what had caused the bitter thirst for re
venge. and he sympathized with it.
| Hes been. and ne has absolutely re
fused to keep 20 Lhe bargain, SO ther'
! is only one thing 10 be done-you mus
! go back. II you cut across the fields
| you'll be in time to catch him in tina
lonely stretch of lane between here an,
CaStlesteads. I've put the stick ther
ready for yoU," and Clifford glance'
| through the aperture.
Give him one blow. a blow that vii
mean conclusion of the brain. and peopl
will think he Is silly if he talks an.
nonsense; then take his watch and purs
and come back here They'll say it wa
r. thief who assaulted him. Now GO
! there's other work to be done befor
morning said Clifford.
Josh did not move.
IF that's what you're leaving tha
panel oren for you can smut it, he salt
in d stolid tone
Clifford looked at him in amazemen,
Are YOU going to fail me. too" h
asked in husky tone.
NO. gov'nor. tnlts not in my reck
oning. but all the same. there's no nee
for me to follow that young chap. an
I'm glad there isn't
Speak out! What do you mean?" de
manded Clifford.
We'll, Mr.. Clifford. this here matte
has been taken out of your hands, bu
before I say any more I'll shut tha
panel and crossing the room JOS
touched .: sprinf, and the panel slid int
place. Then he turned and faced Nj
Clifford.
''Gov'nor. you told me to take a loo
at the Hall, to get acquainted with tn
lay of the rooms. SO I went down t
have a look. calculating l should b
back in time to receive my orders
was quite dark, and the lights WEI
out in most of the rooms. but the smok
room was lighted and the blinds wer
up. SO I managed to peep in at one G
the windows. that open like doors. Wha
! do you think ! saw" ST..
81 don't know" and there was a rim
of impatience in Clifford's voice.
Josh drew nearer and spoke in a whis
per:
Il saw Judge Shenstone lying on n
face on the floor, and there was bloc
on his clothes and all about. He wa
dead, and he died a violent DEATH
TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW.
Copyright. 1909. by The North American Company
Some Peculiar Titles.