The Washington herald., 1912-06-23


not Peter, and / have no idea Of shoot
ing anybody. As for that lady against
the wall, ! don't know her-neyer saw
her before IN my life. As for you," he
added, turning to John Dory, you talk
about arresting me-what for%
Mr. John Dory smiled.
There is an old warrant" he said,
which ! have in my pocket, but / fancy
that there are few little things since
then which We may have to inquire in
to-"
This beats mel" the little man de-
clared. who do you think ann"
Mr.. Spencer Fitzgerald, to start
with" John Dory said. 1T seems to
me not impossible that we may find an
other pseudonym for you"
You can find as many as you like" "
the little man answered testify, but my
name is James Fitzgerald, and / am an
actor employed at the Shaftesbury The
ater, as ! can prove with the utmost
ease. / never called myself Spencer;
nor, to my knowledge, was / ever called
by such a name. Nor, as / remarked
before, have ever seen any one Of
you three people before
John Dory grunted.
1T was Mr.. Spencer Fitzgerald" he
said, who leaped out of the window of
Daisy Villa two years ago. It may be
Mr.. James Fitzgerald now. Gentlemen
of your profession have a knsck of
changing their names"
My professions as good as yours,
anyway the little man exclaimed. We
aren't all fools in it! Ny friend Mr..
Peter Ruff said to me that there was a
young lady whom I used to know who
was anxious to meet me again, apd
would / step round here about 8
o'clock. Here l am, and all l can say
is, if that's the young lady, I never saw
her before in my life.
There was a moments bresthless ST.
lence. Then the door was softly opened,
Violet Brown went staggering back like
a woman who sees ghost. She bit her
lips till the blood came. Il was Peter
Ruff carefully dressed in evening
clothes.
Dear me-" he said, you don't seem
to be getting on very we'll Mr.. Dory."
he added. with a note of surprise in his
tone, this is indeed an unexpected
pleasureT
The man who stood by the desk turn
ed to him. The others were stricken
dumb.
Look here" he said, there's some
mistake. You told me 10 come here at
5 o'clock TO meet a young lady whom
I used to know Well, l never saw her
before in my life" he added, pointing
TO Maud. There's a man there who
wants to arrest me-Lord knows what
for! And here's another lady telling
me not to shoot! What's it all about,
Ruff? Is it a practical joke?"
Peter Ruff laid down his coat and
hat
Is it possible" he said, that I have
made a mistake2 Isn't your second
name Spencer?'
The man shook his head.
My name IS James Fitzgerald" he
said. Il haven't missed a day at the
Theater for three years
never called myself Spencer, and I new
er saw that lady before in my life"
Maud came out from her place against
the wall, and leaned eagerly forward
John Dory turned his head slowly to-
ward his wife a sickening fear had
arisen in his heart-gripped him by the
throat. Fooled once more, and by
Peter Ruff
1T isn't SpencerT Maud said hu,kily.
John Dory took a step forward, and
laid his hands upon the shoulders of
the man who called himself Mr.. James
Fitzgerald. He looked into his face
long and carefully. Then he turned
away, and, gripping his wife BY the
arm, he passed out OF the room.
Violet Brown crossed the room to
where Peter Ruff was still standing
with a queer look upon his face, and,
gripping him by the shoulders, shook
him.
How dare youl" she exclaimed.
How dare you! Do you know that l
nave nearly cried my eyes out?'
Violet" he said, you have known
ne for some years. You have been my
secretary for some months. If you
,hoose still to take me for fool,
,annot help it"
But" she exclaimed, pointing to Mr..
lanes Fitzgerald
Peter Ruff nodded.
i have been practicing on him for
some time" he said, with an air of
"A thin, mobile face,
rou see, and plenty of experience in
he art of making up. Il is astonishing
NlldI bllC NdU w IL OllC LA4Ces
Mr.. James Fitzgerald picked up his
lat and coat
Il was worth more than FIVE guild"
le growled. When I saw the hand
.uffs in that fellows hand, l felt cold
hiver go down my spine"
Peter Ruff counted out two bank
totes and passed them to his confeder-
Ite.
you have earned the money" he
aid. Go and spend il Perhaps. Vio-
e." he added. turning toward her, Il
AVE been a little inconsiderate. Come
nd have dinner with me, and forget il"
She drew a little sigh
you are sure" she murnured. that
,ou wouldn't rather take Maud ?"
Copyright. 1872 by the associated Eterlry PresAl
Title OF next Sundays adventure
Mrs. BOEnOr's Star BOarder."