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

bring me no proof OF the fact. nor. in any
case, am I disposed to treat with you.
You must allow me to wish you gool
afternoon"
Iassen shook his head
Mr.. Laverick'' he declared. you ara
too impetuous. You force me to remint
you that your own position as holder nf
that document is not d very secure one.
ing today for the man who killed that un-
fortunate creature who was found mur-
dered In Crooked Friars alley. II the
could find the man who was I'm possessiots
of his pocketbook. who was In possession
Of twenty thousand pounds taken from
the dead mans body and with II Ia
saved his business and his credit. how
then. do You think? l say nothing ~
the document"
Laverick was silent for a moment lie
realized. however. that tn make terms
with this man was impossible. Besides.
he did not trust him. He did not even
trust him SO far as to believe him tho ac-
credited envoy OF mademoiselle.
my unfortunate position" IavericlI
said. has nothing whatever to do with
the matter. Where you got your informa
ton from I cannot say. 1 neither accept
nor deny Il. But 7 can assure you that
am not to be intimidated. This document
will remain In my possession until som"
one can show ME very good reason for
parting with It..
I.assen beat the back OF the chalr
clinched fist.
"A reason why you should part will,
it," he exclaimed. fiercely. Man. Il
stares you there In the face. II you d.
within twenty-four hours for the murder
or completely In the murder of Rudoipa
Won Behrling. That I swear! That
shall see to myself"
1.-THE document will fall into the hands or
the English police"
The shot told. I4averick could have
laughed as he watched it's effect upon his
listener. Mr.. Lassen's face was black
with unuttered curses He looked as
though he would have fallen upon LAYER
ick bodily.
What do you know about its con-
tents?" he Kissed. why do you s,irpos
It would not suit my purpose to have II
Il can see no reason whatever" Tav-
erick answered. why I should take you
into my confidence as TO how much
know and how much I do not know.
wish you good afternoon. Mr.. Lassen.
shall be ready to wait upon Mile. Idiale
at any time she sends for me. But In
case 1t should interest you TO he made
aware OF the fact" he added. with lit
tie bow. Il am not going round with this
terrible document IN my possession"
He moved to the door. Already his
hand was upon the knob when he saw
the movement for which he had watched.
Laverick. with single bound. was upon
, his would-be assailant. The hand which
had already closed upon the butt OF tho
small revolver was gripped as though I'm
wise. With scream OF pain Lassen
dropped the weapon upon the floor. Law
erick picked II up thrust II into HIS
coat pocket. and, taking the mans col a
with both hards. he shook him till the
eyes seemed starting from his head and
F! his shrieks of fear were changed into
means. Then he flung him into a corner
You cowardly bruter he exclaimed.
| You come OF the breed Of men who shoot
from behind. II ever l lay my hands
upon you again you'll be lucky II You
| live to whimper about it,
He left the room and rang for the lift.
He saw no trace OF any servants in the
hall. nor heard any sound OF any one
moving. From Dover street he drove
| waiting. he knocked at the door She
opened ii herself ut once and her eyes
glowed with pleasure.
How delightful" she cried. PLEASE
come in. Have you come to take me TO
He followed her into the parior and
closed the door behind them.
Zoe" he said. Il am going to ask you
me a favor?' she repeated. 'I think
you know how happy 1T will make me II
there is anything-anything at all in t-.e
world-that l could do
"A week ago." Laverfck continued, II
was an honest but not very successful
stockbroker, with natural longing for
adventures which never came my way.
Since then things have altered. l have
stumbled In upon the most curious little
chain of happenings which ever became
entwined with the life Of q commonplace
being like myself. The net result. for the
moment, is this. Every one is trying t.
steal from me a certain document which
have in my pocket. l want to hide II
for the night. I cannot go to the police.
1t is too late to go back to ChancerA
lane, and | have an instructive feeline
that my nat is absolutely at the mercy
OF my enemies. May hide my document
In your room? ! do not believe for mo
ment that any one would think of scare
ing here"
"Of course you may" she answered.
But listen. Can you See out into the
street without moving very much?"
He turned his head. He had been
standing with his back to the window
and Zoe had been facing 1t.
Eyes, can see into the street" he as
scented.
Tell me-you see that taxi on the other
side OF the way?" she asked
He nodded
1T wasn't there when l drove up, he
remarked.
Il was at the window. looking out. when
you came" she said. 1T followed YOU
out from the square into this street pi-
rectly you stopped saw the man put ON
the brake and pull up his cab. 1t seemed
to me SO strange. just as though som"
one were watching you all the time
Laverick stood still. looking out of the
window.
Go be continued tomorrow