The Washington herald., 1912-05-19

silence as he crossed the room seemed
a little ominous He looked over his
shoulder. They were all three standing
in their places, looking at him. He
reached the door and turned the han
die The door was fast. He shook IL
gently at first, and then violently. Sud-
denly he realized that it was locked.
He turned sharply around
What games this :" he exclaimed.
fercely. Let me out of here, or I'll
break the door DOWN.
Sir Richard Dyson came slowly to-
ward him. There was something in his
appearance which terrified Masters. He
raised his fist to strike the door.
Mr. Masters" Sir Richard said
suavely, "the truth is that we cannot
afford to let you go-unless you agree
to do what we have asked. Change
your mind, Mr.. Masters. Take those
notes Well do our best to meet them"
I'll do nothing of the sort" Masters
answered. I'll have cash-nothing but
CASH."
There was dull, sickening thud, and
the bookmaker went over like a shot
rabbit. His legs twitched for a mo-
ment, then he lay quite still. Sir Rich
ard bent over him
1--WE done itP he muttered, hoarse-
ly. Zone biowl Thank heaven, he
didn't need anotherl' His skull was
as soft as puddingl UghP
He turned away. His trembling fin
gers went out for the brandy decanter
It's nervous work, this, you fellows"
he said, hoarsely.
"It's hellishp Dickinson answered.
LET'S have some air in the room. My
God, it's closet"
Dyson looked at him sharply.
Look here" he exclaimed, Il hold
you both to our bargain! | was to be
the one he attacked and who struck the
BLOWN self-defensel Remember that
it was in self-defensel Andrew, you
know your task. Be man, and get to
work."
Dickinson rose to his feet unsteadily.
YES" he said. What was it! !
have forgotten"
you must get his betting-book from
his pocket" Sir Richard directed. Then
you must help Merries downstairs with
him, and into the car. Merries is-to
get rid of him"
Merries shivered.
1T is easy" Sir Richard declared.
You have only to keep your nerve, and
the thing is done. No one will see him
inside the car, IN that motoring coat
and glasses You can drive somewhere
out into the country and leave him"
Leave HIM" Merries repeated,
trembling. Leave him-yes.
Neither of the two men moved.
Il must do more than my share !
suppose" Sir Richard said, oontemp-
tuously. Come 7"
They dragged the mans body on to
chair, wrapped huge coat around
him, tied motoring cap under his chin
fixed goggles over his eyes. Sir Rich
ard strolled into the hall and opened
the front door He stood there for a
moment, looking up and down the
street. When he gave the signal they
dragged him out, supported between
them, across the pavement, into the car.
Ugh! His attitude was so natural as
TO be absolutely CHASTITY Merries start
ed the car and sprang into the drivers
seat. !
so long, Jimmy" Sir Richard called
out See you this evening" --..'-
Right OF" Merries replied, with a
brave effort
Peter Ruff, private Investigator, sum-
moned by telephone from his sitting
room, slipped down the stairs like a
cat-noiseless, swift. The voice which
had summoned him had been the voice
of his secretary voice shaken with
fear. Fear? No, it had been terrorl
On the landing below, exactly under
meath the room from which he had de-
scended, there was a door upon which
his name was written upon a small
brass plate-Mr. Peter Ruff
He opened and closed it behind him
with a swift movement which he had
practiced in his idle moments. He
found himself looking in upon a curl
Gus scene.
Miss Brown had risen from the seat
in front of her typewriter, and was
standing facing the door through which
he had entered, with small revolver
clasped in her outstretched hand. The
object of her solicitude was, it seemed
to Peter Ruff, the most pitiful looking
object upon which he had ever looked
The hours had dwelt with Merries as
the years with some people and worse
He had lost his cap; his hair hung
over his forehead in wild confusion
his eyes were red, bloodshot, and alb
soiutely ahame with the terrors through
which he had lived. His cheeks were
livid save for one burning spot. He
was covering back against the wall.
And between him and the girl, stretch
ed upon the floor, was the body of a
man in huge motor coat, limp, inert
mass. No wonder that Peter Ruff
looked around his Office, whose serenity