The Washington times., 1912-09-09
By J. S. FLETCHER
Copyright. 1912. Frank A. Munsey CO..

YOU cali him? How do you know?
do retSrtsd y0mns
I'm in this get-up for? They collared
me at the hotel. curse 'em, and / only
got of by giving solemn promise to
help them to find Caye. They know
Sergeant Davidson's idea. that. and you
see he isn't far wrong
"Oh. he isn't. isn't ne?" replied Mr..
place on the lookout. did you?'
Il saw you in Sackville street" said
Mr.. Baxendale. "and I recognized you
as Joe Kilner that used to keep the
followed you just OUT or curiosity-I
hadn't a notion that you were the pro-
prietor. or whatever you are. OF this
place. And then l saw Claye:
fall in with your arguments" said Mr..
Kilner. "Supposing that don't see my
way to go into partnership with you In
thl, this p, matter of the diamonds what
Young Mr.. Baxendale smiled -.
why, then" said he. I'm afraid
you'll have q visit from the police-in
search OF gentleman with a false
mustache and a lame arm (Which isn't
lame) in a sling, and whose right hand
Is tattoed at the wrist and is minus
half OF one finger. That's whatll hap
pen."
Mr. Kilner nodded his heavy head.
LAS for the police" he said, they
made no difference to me. What they
might have to say to friend or
lodger of mine as happens to be stay
| Ing in my house Is no concern of mine"
Young Mr.. Baxendale reverted his
original line.
Look here. mister" he said wheed-
lingly, "those diamonds are worth every
Clayes staying IN your house. what 8
easier than for you and me to get them
, from him?''
There weren't any of the police with
You when you came In here?" asked Mr..
dubious glances. Nobody waiting for
| you outsider"
You bet" replied Mr.. Baxendale With
obvious belief in the truth of his own
statement. "No-not a soul in the world
knows I'm here. l want to work this
on my own hook mister, / don't want
to help Davidson unless I'm forced to
Mr.. Kilner seemed to think hard for
"If you're not pressed for time" he
said presently, ''Il just think things
over and see what l might do. I'd like
to know If Ciaye has the stun on him or
II he's put 1t away"
TITS on him, you bet" replied Mr.
Baxendale quickly and with great con-
Well. I'll think 1t over a bit." said
doing it Quietly, % might Sss be S inclneS meS TO TO
| go, in with you. Look here" he con-
tinued, rising from his seat, Its not
safe for you to be here. Claye might be
! In any minute.
IF you'll come with me Ill put you
| In room where you can be quite safe
until we can talk again. Here, take a
cigar or two out of that box; you may
| as we'll be comfortable while you wait !"
Mr.. Kilner himself picked up a de-
canter of whisky, a siphon of soda
water, and a tumbler, and carried them
In front of his guest, who eyed these
Quoted Mr., Baxendale along some mar
row and dirty corridors to a small
room, lighted by one dirty window
looked into narrow yard. and there he
1t was then about 2 o'clock in the
afternoon. and for two hours young Mr.,
axendale was happy with his liquor
end his cigars and the newspaper;
of waiting, and he tried the door with
the notion of going out.
| The door was locked-he was a pris-
oner.
He went to the window; that, too, was
| barred. He suddenly began to realize
! that he was trapped
1t was nearly dusk when he heard
footsteps outside the door, then the key
turned, and he looked up to see Claye
standing in the doorway and Kilner be-
hind him.
And he saw something in their faces
that turned his heart sick-deadly sick
His lips, suddenly parched, tried to ar
ticulate.
Get 1t over, JIM" said Kllner in q
husky whisper.
Then young Mr.. BaXendale saw the
gleam OF a revolver and a cruel, steady
eye behind 1t, and he felt as II all the
world had suddenly gone to pieces about
him, and he spun round and fell across
the boards at his murderer's feet, sho
through the brain.
A Continuation of This Story VIII
BE Found In TOmOrrow's
Issue of The Times.