Atlanta Georgian., 1913-02-27
The Conspiracy

hair and gray eyes, dressed like a pros
porous mechanic, walked slowly In, and
glanced at the young people, then sat
down at the reading table. The girls
back was to him. so he dropped the book
he was pretending to read. She turned
with a start
Uncle Mark" she exclaimed, and as
he made a gesture of alarm, went on
quickly. IT'S all right, uncle; you can
speak before him."
"Uncle! exclaimed Howell. in an un-
dertone. Il get it,
rs he your friend?" demanded Uncle
Mary, eyeing the reporter coldly.
Howell bore the scrutiny coldly.
The Scarlet Bands Threat.
That's your best little bet he assured
the uncle
Did you bring it?" demanded Margar-
ct, breathlessly, as the man rose and
came toward her. He nodded and handed
her an envelope With trembling fingers
she tore it open and glanced at the first
words
IT'S from theml" she gasped. The two
men sprang to her side and read over
her shoulder as she glanced fearfully
through the singular communication
'"To Miss Margaret Holt" it ran, I'VE
know you now and why you killed James
Morton. The paper left in Mr.. Morton's
room is gone. Place that paper like you
found it, unopened, in a book on last seat
right hand side, in the - church be-
fore 10 o'clock tonight. If this you do
not do your brother is dead. He is safe
so long as nothing is known. But if you
go to the police, beware!'
There was no signature.
IT'S a bluff" grunted Howell, con-
temptuously. The Anglo Saxon is not
prone to take blackmail seriously.
"No-noH' exclaimed the girl, in low
voice. Il know therh"
They've got him-that's sure"' frokn-
ed Uncle Mark. And they'd do anything
you know that You do what they say"
he advised. Get that list back to them
Howell looked to Margaret. 1t was up
to her.
There's only one thing to do" she
said drearily I'VE must get the list back
to them at once"
Where is it?" he demanded. Her hand
touched the fullness of her wrist.
Here"
Let me see it." She gave it to him
without comment.
"Why. IT'S sealed" he cried in sur
prise
Yes" said the girl After they got
Victor l didn't dare break the seal. 1
was afraid of what they might do"
But you are sure it's the Hst?" in
sisted Howell turning the envelope over
and over in his hands and eyeing it
hungrily.
"Oh, yes. Elsse, why would they be so
anxious to get it?'
That's so. But. 1 say if you send
them this without seeing it, all your work
is gone for nothing!
"Oh, it doesn't matter" protested
Margaret but her voice was dull with
grief and despair. Il must get Victor
back and then Wen begin over again
II can do-nothing alone
But if you send this Howell pro-
tested, they've got what they want
What's to prevent them from killing
your brother, them"
NO" interposed Uncle Mark "They
won't do that as long as she's alive"
The Precious List.
mo" agreed Margaret. 'T know too
much. See" she pointed to the letter
" Your brother is safe so long as moth
ing is known
But is he?" insisted Howell.
Yes" the girl was equally determined,
for they know | would tell all"
Howell gloomily turned his attention to
the envelope again.
isn't that the limit?-the Iimt?" he
growlcd as he touched the fat seal. II
wonder if | could pry that off,
Margaret and her uncle rushed to him
with eXclamations of alarm.
"Oh, all right, l won't! | WON'T" he as
sured them. But gee, It's a shame to
give that up He felt Of the contents
carefully and held it up to the light.
Its on a piece of cardboard" he grum
bled. cant see a thing" He NUT
tered and swore under his breath for a
few minutes and suddenly broke out in
yelp of delight that startled the other
eve got it! I've got it, he chanted.
dancing Trust your Uncle Dudley,
win you trust me? Win you?"
"Oh yes said Margaret instantly;
"but what"
Now never mind" Howell interrupt
ed "You leave it to me. How much time
have | got2 Hour and a half, Good!
Now" he declared with the manner of a
commanding officer. I'm take this thing
to the church myself"
"No, no!" cried Margaret a note of
alarm in her voice that was like a hal
lelujah to Howell. 1T would be risking
your life That man at the ROssamano-
he might come and he would know you"
To Be Continued Tomorrow.