Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-01-30
CHAPTER XXI.
The End of the Puzzle.

The elder brother tried to push past
George. but old Mortimer caught him by
the shoulders and dragged him back.
LET me go!' he cried, his voice nasal
and high. do you hear me? Let me
go!''
"Mr Mortimer said George. without
turning his head or letting his eye waver.
keep him back. Thanks George step
ped over the threshold. Now. gentle
men, I shall shoot the first man who
makes q movement"
And Ryanne, who knew something
about George. saw that he meant just
what he said. STEADY. every one" he
said. my friend George here can't
shoot: but that kind Of a man is deadliest
with pistol. surrender"
The brother was struggling. "The tele-
phone! The telephone! l demand to call
the police. This is accessory to the fact!
tell you. let me go!'
"Mr. Wordsworth" replied George, IF
you do not be still and let me run this
and your brother and his friends may do
as they bally please. Now, step back and
be quiet. Stop" to Ryanne, whose hand
was reaching out toward the table.
final glass Of wine'' Ryanne calmly took
the slender stem of the glass between his
fingers, lifted 1t and drank. He set 1t
down empty. From his outside pocket he
drew q handkerchief and delicately dried
his lips He alone Of his confederates
had life. 1t was. because he alone un-
derstood. Prison wasn't staring them In
the face just yet. well, Arthur, old top,
how goes It? Nearly got your money
bags, didn't we? And we surely would
Damn you and your wine!' roared the
major. shaking with rage. This adven-
ture had been no joke to him, no craving
for excitement. He wanted the gold. the
gold. With what would have been his
share he could have gambled at Monte
For the first time he saw long. thick
bars Of iron running up and down a win
dow. And all for bottle OF wine!
Damn away. old sport! Ryanne
reached for the bottle and filled his glass
again. 'Percival. I'm blamed sorry
about that olive tree Of yours" He
waved his hand toward the bags. "You
can see that my intentions In regard to
refunding that hundred pounds were
strictly honorable. Now, what's on the
ticket?'
Il suppose your luggage is outside in
the automobiles
"Right-O!'
well. need not explain my reasons
you will understand them: but I am go
ing to give you all two hours time. Then
I shall notify the police. You will have
to take your chance after that time''
The circling faces frightened percep-
tibly. Two hours-that would carry them
Tar into Jersey.
Accepted with thanks said Ryanne.
II refuse to- permit it!' yelled the
brother. "Mr, Jones. you will rue this
nights work. I shall see that the law
looks into your actions. This is felony.
/ demand to be allowed to telephone
"Percival. for heavens sake, let him.
cried Ryanne, .wearily. LET him shout:
It will soften his voice. He will hurt mo-
body. The wires were cut hours ago.
Mortimer felt the tense muscles In his
grasp relax. Arthur Wadsworth grew
limp and reeIed against the jamb OF the
door.
You had better start at once" George
advised. You three first" with a nod
toward Wallace (his dubious nose now
lavender In hue), the butler and the first
man. Forward march, front door. 10
on!''
What about me?" asked Ryanne.
I'm a moment" George could not but
admire the man, rascal though he was
There was q pang Of regret In his heart
as the thought came and went swiftly
what q comrade this man would have
made under different circumstances! Too
To- LynNA IL 49,