Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-20
500 Bath Robes, S2.o5.
Csc for SIoo Silk Knitted Accordion Ties.

ders the burden of contempt and ridicule
which the press and the general public
would presently be hurting at him and at
his department for their hopeless incom-
petence in allowing a. murderer to escape.
Therefore, he was putting the case
against Luke more clearly and with a
greater wealth Of detail before his
bfother-in-laW than the conscientious dis
charge of duty should have allowed. In
fact, we see Sir Thomas Ryder-a hard
dfsciplinarian. Neutrality-suspicious. Off
cial-freely transgressing the most ele-
mentary rules which duty prescribes. He
was sitting in his private Office with his
brother-in-law, giving away secrets that
belonged not to him. but to his depart
ment. conniving through the words which
he spoke at the fleeing from justice Of a
criminal who belonged not to him but to
the state.
He was making the case against Luke
de Mountford to appear as black as It
was i'm effect, SO that Col. Harris and
Louisa might take fright and induce the
unfortunate man to realize his danger in
time and to shrink from facing the con-
sequences Of his own terrible deed.
But Col. Harris-with the Obstfnacy of
those who throughout life have never led,
but have always been ruled-wOuld not
see the case through his brother-in-law' S
spectacles. He chung to his own repudia-
ton Of the possibility of Luke de Mount
ford's guilt. He behaved quite uncon-
wished him to behave. had she been
present here to prompt him.
To Sir Thomas most convincing expose
of the situation he lent an attentive ear.
but the shrug Of his shoulders when the
other man paused to take breath was in
itself testimony Of loyalty to Luke S
cause.
Hang it all. man." he said, "you are
not going to sit there and tell me that
Luke de Mountford-the man whom l my
<~E- cnvr 81, Iux
had Lou not forestalled me-that Luke
would commit a deliberate murder? In
the name of common sense, Tom, why
it's unthinkable! Do you mean to say
that you actually believe that Luke. after
he left that God-forsaken club, joined his
cousin again as if nothing had happened;
that he got into taxicab with him, and
poked him through the neck while the
man was looking another way
Roughly. speakins. assented Sir
Thomas, Il believe that's what hap
pened."
"And you call yourself shrewd detec-
tive!' exclaimed Col Harris hotly. And
you hold the lives Of men practically in
the hollow of your hand! Why. man!
have you forgotten one thing?" he con-
tinued, his grun voice assuming a note
of triumph. 1.-The most important in all
this damnable business?"
What have l forgotten. WHIP" asked
the other, not at all ruffied by the gallant
COlOneIS sudden tone Oh contempt
1.-THE weapon. Tom!'
81 haven't forgotten the weapon" re-
Joined Sir Thomas, calmly.
"Oh, yes, you have! Do you mean to
tell me that Luke de Mountford habitu-
ally walks about the streets OF London
with an Italian stiletto in his trousers
pocket? for 1 am told that it was with a
thing of that sort that the murder was
committed Or. according to you, did
Luke escort Louisa to dinner party with
the avowed intention at the back of his
mind of committing murder later on if
occasion offered? Did he bring an Italian
stiletto from home when he came to meet
his fiancee at the Langham Hotel, or did
he buy one on the way to the Veterans
Club? Which Of these cock-and-buil
theories do you hold. Tom?''
Neither" admitted Sir Thomas, with
a placid smile.
temptuously, you think that Luke was
as I said-in the habit OF carrying an
Italian stiletto in his trousers pocket"'
NO." rejoined the other, still unruf-
fled, "but / know that Luke de Mount
ford is in the habit of carrying q snake
wood walking stick. which he once bought
years ago-somewhere abroad, and the
dagger. which fits into the body of the
stick. And what's more. you know that
stick too. Will: you have often seen it.
Are you prepared to swear that Luke
hadn't it with him last night:''
HE hadn't 1t with him."
you are prepared to swear to that?''
insisted the other. earnestly.
Col. Harris was silent. For the first
time since the beginning OF this long In
terview he felt as IL all the blood in his
body was Teceding back to his heart
causing It to heat 30 wildly that he