Evening star., 1912-11-20

trolled her anger and somehow gained a
little time? Perhaps a day would have
been enough. If Miss Thompson came at
once by the morning train she would be
at Ipping House soon after luncheon, and
an hour later Hester Storm might have
been free. speeding toward London and
New York, with all the trouble left be-
hind.
Whereas. now what would happen? Sup
pose Anton had carried out his threat and
posted the letter to Scotland Yard? He
was just fool enough and drunk enough
to do it-perhaps. And perhaps not. 1t
might have been all bluff, the letter and
his talk. Anyway. she was glad she had
called him down. He was beast. all
right.
But suppose he had posted the letter?
Suppose a detective came prowling
had seen her in Charing Cross station that
day of the robbery, and who knew all
about the Storm girls record? Then
what?
In snatches of tortured sleep Hester
dreamed that she was trying to escape
from room with two doors, at one of
which she met the cold. gray eyes of
Grimes. and at the other the twisted
smile of Anton. She rose soon after day
break, unrefreshed. ard, having dressed.
she spent an hour packing her things. so
that If the chance came she could leave
at a moments notice. Then she knelt
down at her bedside and said the prayer
that Merle had taught her.
A few minutes later Hester's attention
was caught by sounds from below, the
unbolting of heavy doors, then an echo
of footsteps and low voices. She looked
at her watch and saw that 1t was a
quarter past 6. Anton was opening the
house. 1t was Friday morning The
great day. with it's promise of mOmen-
was shining.
Lightly the Storm girl descended the
stairs. and, pausing at the first landing,
listened to the chauffeur, who was talk
ing to telegraph boy.
Yes. this is Mr.. Baxters house. Let
me have it, he was saying.
Whereupon the boy searched in his cap
and produced the familiar yellow envelope
of telegram or cablegram.
There srumbled the chauffeur as he
signed the boys book. Here's six
pence for YOU
Thanks. guv'nor." and the youth went
off whistling. while Anton stared at the
sealed message.
Hester leaned over the railing and
watched her adversary. who evidently
thought himself quite alone. With a few
careful movements he opened the envelope
and drew forth yellow sheet.
In cipher." she heard him mutter.
Then he moved into the library. while she,
cautious and silent. followed him.
Anton went directly to Betty Thomp-
sons desk, and. taking from his pocket
a bunch of keys. he proceeded to unlock
the upper left-hand drawer and drew out
a small. red. leather-covered book. in
which he searched eagerly, consulting the
cablegram from time to time as he did
So 1t was Hiram Baxter's private cable
code book.
With absorbed interest the chauffeur
continued his work of translation, writ
ing down the words hastily as he de-
ciphered them. And presently. Hester
saw by his face that the cablegram must
contain news of the utmost Importance.
Good God!'' he exclaimed, frowning
and looking about him doubtfully. He
glanced at his watch. took few steps
toward the door and listened intently,
then he went quickly to the telephone.
Hello! Give me the Ritz-CarltOn Hotel
London. In great hurry-please." He
spoke in low tone and drummed ner-
vously on the desk while he waited.
Hello. The Ritz-Carlton? l want Mr..
Henderson. room 147. Yes, Henderson.
Quick, please
And presently, with sort of uncon-
scious cringng. Hello. Is that you, Mr..
Henderson? This is Anton Busch. I'm
sorry to disturb you. sir, but it's urgent.
A cablegram has just come to Mr.. B. 1t
will pretty we'll spoil everything if he gets
1t. / know he's in Brighton. sir. but Mr..
Robert is here. Yes, it came in cipher.
I've just translated it. Shall l read it,
sir?'
He held before him the paper on which
he had written, and was about to repeat
1t when the creaking of Hester's shoe as
she leaned forward near the door caused
him to turn suspiciously. ''fll have to
be quick, Mr.. Henderson. I'm in the IL
brary. Yes. I'm using the house tele-
phone. II I'm interrupted. sir. you'll un-
derstand. Don't ring up. I'll call you
later. All right, sir, here's the cable
gram
CTo be continued tomorrow