The Washington herald., 1912-05-19

am HlillilB 70 W 80 NNA+a -
rupted, brusqueiy. Il guarantees IT. 20
on, please"
Il do not know, of course. where you
got your information FROM, Sir Rich-
ard began, but it is perfectly true that
/ have come here to consult you upon
a matter in which the two people whose
names you have mentioned are con-
cerned. The Disappearance OF JOB
Masters is, of course. common talk
but / cannot tell what has led you to
associate with it the temporary absence
of Lord Merries from this country,
Let me ask you this question. Ruff
said. How are YOU affected by the
disappearance of Masters
1T has been rumored," Sir Richard
admitted, that owed Masters large
sum of money which l could not pay
Anything else?" Ruff asked.
at has also been rumored," Sir Rich
ard continued, that he was seen to en-
ter my house that day, and that he re-
manned there until late in the after
noon"
did he?" Ruff asked.
Certainly not" Sir Richard answer
ed.
Respecting this Inconvenience, !"
asked Peter Ruff which you admit
that the disappearance of Job Masters
has caused you, what is its tangible
side?"
Sir Richard drew his chair a little
nearer TO the table where Ruff was Sit
ting. His voice dropped almost to a
whisper.
at seems absurd" he said, "and yet
what | tell you is the truth. | have
been followed about-shadowed, in fact
for Several days. II is as though,
he continued slowly, people were be-
ginning to suspect me of being con-
nected in some way with the mans dis
appearance" 80
Ruff, who had been making figures
with a pencil on the edge of his blot
ting paper, suddenly turned around
"And are you not?" he asked, calm
ly
Sir Richard bore himself well.
Mr.. Ruff" he said. Il must pro-
test
Stop
Peter Ruff used no violent gesture.
His voice was as smooth as velvet
Tell me as much or as little as You
PACdSNF SlI ENlNlAdAuF a1A0s OdA IT,
that little or that much be the truth
On those terms only / may be able to
help you. ! am not asking for your
confidence. / simply tell you that you
are wasting your time and mine If you
choose to withhold it."
Sir Richard was silent He recog-
nized new quality in the man-but
the truth was an awful thing to tell
He considered-then told.
Ruff briskly asked two questions, In
alluding to your heavy settlement with
Masters, you said Just now that you
could not have paid him-then."
Quite So" Sir Richard admitted
That is the rotten part of the whole
affair. Four days later a wonderful
double came off-one in which We were
all interested, and one which not one oil
US expected. We've drawn a consid-
cradle amount already from one or two
bookies, and believe even Master:
owes us bit now"
Thank YOU" Ruff said. Il thinl
that l know everything now. My fe'
is 500 guineas."
"Whst?" exclaimed Sir Richard.
Five hundred guineas," Ruff re
peated.
For a oonsultation:" Sir Richard
asked.
Peter Ruff shook his head.
! More than that" he said. "YoI
are brave man in your way. Sir Rich
ard Dyson. but yos are going abou
now shivering under a load of fear
1t sits like a devil incarnate upon youi
shoulders. Write your check, Sir Rich
ard. and YOU can leave that little blacL
devil in my waste basket You are un-
der my protection Nothing will hap
pen to you:
Sir Richard sat like a man mesmer-
lied Nothing will happen" he re-
peated. incredulously
Certainly not Ruff declared 81
guarantee you against any Inconven'
fence which might arise TO you iron
this recent unfortunate affair. Isn't
that all you want: ,"
It's all | want, certainly, Sir Rich
ard declared, but | must understand
little how you propose to secure my
| immunity"
Ruff shook his head.
Il have my own methods he said
81 can help only those who trust me.
Sir Richard drew check book from
his pocket. Il don't know why
should believe in YOU" he said, as he
wrote the check,
1t was not so easy to impart similar
confidence into the breast of his friend
Col. Dickinson, with whom he dined
that night tete-e-tete. Dickinson was
inclined to think that Sir Richard had
been tricked.
You've paid a ridiculous fee" he ar