El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1911-04-15
The Herald's
Daily Short Stsry
The Mysteries OF No. 1O2

! got the packet with you? How mucf
will you take?"
'Oh. go to the - 1 began, but
he cut me short.
$50 you won't trader" he qusried
I'VE shall see. You've gone too far
my friend. Either you trade or we
prosecute. Blackmail is a nastv
weapon. Own up, you fool-out with
the packet
strobe towards him, but he raised
the revolver, saying softly, No nearer
no nearer, please"
I'm not the man you take me for
I said almost gently. for I guessed
had lunatic to deal with. He smiled
as I spoke, and 1 could see he didn't
believe me. Where's Ida-in bed?"
Ida" he echoed. and scratched his
cheek. staring at me thoughtfully.
my sister. Good God, This is 81.
isn't it?"
denly pulled himself together. A CLEAN
shone in his eyes. and 1 knew he had
come to some determination.
This is 1922" he replied. I'm afraid
you've come to the wrong block. This
is Mrs. Abbotts fat" He looked at me
keenly as he gave the information. It
staggered me. I began to apologize.
Il only hope you catch your man." 1
concluded. ''Blackmail, as you said, is
a nasty thing. The brutes who use 1t
deserve your threats-and your revolt
YER"
He laughed. quite so-quite So" he
agreed.
Then. I'll say good night and wend
my way to the other block 1 declared.
Il hope my entry hasn't spoiled your
trap
"Oh, don't gor' he begged. Have a
drink? I must apologize, too. You
must have thought me a maniac. By
the way, what name did you say at
21?'
Mrs. Leslie-my brotherinlaw's a
solicitor 1 answered, feeling some sort
Of explanation was due to him.
'1 see- see," he unused thought
fully. Just sit down, only half a min
ute. while I get the whisky. That's
right-there's a good fellowX
1 was foolish, for 1 was curious
curious about the blackmailer and the
methods which awaited his arrival.
My host went to the door, closing it
behind him.
Then obtruding from screen which
stood at the side of the window I-saw
a shoe. 1t was small, Of patent leath-
er. Staring at it. my heart stood still.
for silk stockinged ankle. covered by
a white silk petticoat, which in it's
turn was surmounted by white satin
dress. met my Mortified eyes.
Ny back had been turned to what 1
saw now. 1 had had no suspicion. I
crept forward, my heart bounding. In
the shadow of the screen as I peered
round it lay woman, face downwards,
her head beneath a small table, the
skin of her arms and of her back (she
was in evening dress), white-almost
yellow-in the dim light which was
reflected behind the screen.
The silent, terrible thing lying there
dazed me. Mute, dead it had lain
while the stranger had spoken to me.
A lunatic-yesi A maniac, homicidal
who, haveing committed one murder,
contemplated another!
Three long strides took me to the
door. I turned the handle, tugging at
1t, the sweat breaking out on my fore
head when I realized 1t was locked.
1 saw all the plot then. No wonder
he had pressed me to stay. No won
der! When I provided the part that
was his-the murderer
1 put my shoulder to the door,
crashing at it, dreading the mute thing
lying there, fighting to leave the ghast-
ly room, longing to tell my story, how
ever Incredible 1T might seem. When
again I heard a sound in the passage.