The Washington herald., 1912-06-23


B C." Hefferom declared. Can't you
see that Deane has given himself into
our handsl Of course Rowan stole the
deed Of course Deane has i'll He
will have to pay for our silencel By
God, he will have to pay"
The girl looked up from her seat on
the leathern couch, looked at her COM
panion long and critically. do you
think we can hold our own against a
man like Stirling Deane?"
at depends upon. the cards, and they
are in our hands. We must go back to
his Office. Then / will see him. You
can leave the thing in my hands now.
/ shall know how TO approach him.
He cannot deny his friendship with the
Rowans. They are occupying, even at
this moment, his own cottage. Very
likely ! shall be able to discover other
things connecting him with them. The
newspapers you showed me spoke of
great influence which was brought to
bear on the granting OF the reprieve.
We may find that Stirling Deane was
at the back of that Anyhow, he is
connected closely enough with them.
/ am here, ready to swear that when
Sinclair left Africa he left with the
original title deed of the Little Anna
Gold Mine in his pocket think that
the friendship between his murderer
and Stirling Deane, who sold that mine
for close upon a million pounds, is a
thing that will need a little explana-
ton"
"And in the meantime" said the girl
bitterly, we are starving.
Not quite" he answered. I'VE have
thirty-eight shillings. That will take
US back to London, and find US rooms
somewhere for the night. We must
scrape along somehow until can get
to Deane's Offices"
you are not forgetting" the girl re-
marked, that the thirty-eight shillings
you are speaking of is my property"
we are partners" Hefferom declar-
ed. you shall carry the purse If you
will. but there is no object in it"
You seem to do most of the spend
ing" she reminded him. IF you think
that we can afford it," she added. glanc-
ing at his empty glasses, q should like
a cup of tea"
He ordered it at once, and sat down
by her side Look here" he said, Il
don't see what you want to be so bloom
ing stand-off for. Times are a bit
rough with US just now, but, mark my
word, We shall pull through all right.
This man Deane is in the hollow of
our hands. He has been Rowan's ac-
complice. No one who knows the facts
could possibly doubt it. A word from
US would ruin him"
The girl sighed. She had drawn a
little away from the man. DO you
believe, then" she asked, that Mr..
Deane has the deed?"
Either that, or it is destroyed" an
swered Heferom. But don't bother
about that. Whether the deed is still
existing or not we know enough to
make il worth his while to buy US. even
though it costs him half his fortune"
In the meantime" the girl said,
please get the tickets. The train will
be in. in a few minutes"
Come with me" he said suspiciously
Remember, we're partners"
"Oh we are partners right enough"
she answered, rising and following him
out of the place. You needn't be
afraid that ! am going to let you go.
Just now you are all that stands be-
tween me and return to Rakney"
On the way up to town he began to
build castles He was optimistic, san
yuine in the extreme. The girl listened
almost stolidly. Her companion had
begun to dep1ess her. He was badly
dressed, his linen was soiled, his imi-
alton jewelry was hideous. He sat Op-
oosite her in the train, and there were
hings in his face from which she
ihrank. She was more than thankful
hat they were not alone.
Are you tired or what?' he asked
It last, little sullenly. Surely made
I all plain enough? You don't doubt
hat there's money in this for us?"
There should be-" she admitted
slowly. "And yet"
And yet what?"
Il have seen Mr.. Deane before" she
aid hesitatingly. Il have talked with
lin once or twice. Somehow or other,
when / think that it may come to be
struggle between you and him"
He interrupted her with a brazen
augh. You think won't be able to
stand up against him! Well, you shall
Zee. There's good deal in holding the
;ars, you know"
You haven't the decd" she reminded
lin.
81 don't want it." he answered. 'T
am not afraid of Stirling Deane I
lave known him a good many years,
md he knows me. We are up against
one another now, and you may fancy
lis chances; but l tell you my backs !
against the wall, and his isn't. He's !
here fighting in the open. I've got him,
tell you-got him"
She half closed her eyes. This was |
Tot the way in which she had hoped |
o come into her fortune. In her heart, |
he could not believe a word he said. |
Oeane was a strong man; Heferom,
he was already beginning to discover, |
vas nothing but a bully and a craven.
f It came to a duel between the two, |
he found it easier to believe that Heff- |
rom would be worsted.
At Kings Cross Station they separ-
ted. Hefferom, little sulkily, accept
d his dismissal, and parted with half
# the money which he had
'You can go where you choose" she |
aid. you can come back to Mrs.
Towsleys, if you like, but l tell you
rankly that except while we are on
BUSINESS think it better that we should
tay apart"
Il can't see why" he muttered.
For one thing" she said, I'VE might
e taken for adventurers I do not
now much about the law, but it seems
o me you won't be very far out of its
lutches when your negotiations with
Ar. Deane begin"
Il can take care of myself" he an