Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1913-01-26

|
proceed on your way, treasuring up rather
novel experience"
STAY here all night" exclaimed Ryker,
now absolutely sure of his man.
| Exactly. You shall want for nothing.
There's plenty to eat and drink, a comfOrta-
BILE bed. and | shall be here at your call to
minister to your wants. Or, II YOU don't
care to sleep, here are some excellent books.
We can have a delightfully."- intellectual night
of it, a charming Conversations, as 1t were.
| Ryker was silent while his glance swept
| the room. The pistol was still leveled at
| him. He could see no means of escape.
| what is to prevent me from letting out
a yell for help" he inquired abruptly.
at would not avail in the least, my boy.
We are on the top floor of an old-fashioned
place. This is the only apartment up here
| that is occupied. Your voice would not be
heard. Besides, the noise of your cry would
only serve to drown the report He
tapped the barrel of the revolver.
"Oh, you wouldn't shoot, said Ryker.
"YOu re not that kind.
Chappelle assumed an air of pensiveness.
"Perhaps you are right, he rejoined. Il
| have vein of tenderness in me. | should
not shoot to kill; but, if you will pardon the
egotism, am rather a good shot, and could
good behavior"
Il suppose the same thing would happen
| if made run of it
Exactly. You perceived, doubtless, that
| did not lock the door, That was for two
reasons. First, it would have reflected upon
my hospitality to turn the key on you. Sec
ondy, did not wish to arouse any suspicion
until had my bearings
Ryker shrugged his shoulders with an air
of annoyance. This is quite the most as
tonishing experience | ever had, he said
presently. Because you, of whose per
SOnality or antecedcntS have not the faint
est knowledge, mistook me for someone
else, | am obliged to remain prisoner here
all night, instead of being able to go to my
home and my wife, enjoy my rightful sleep,
and be fit for work in the morning"
at is too bad, replied Chappelle, shaking
his head "But YOU will be quite comfort
able, and if it should come down to a piece
of money or something like that we'll have
no difficulty either.
"To blazes with your money!" exclaimed
Ryker, with a sudden access of rage. put
down that gun and let me depart in peace!
| don't care a rap who you are! | don t
want you! | want to go home!"
(Which you shall do tomorrow, remarked
Chappele imperturbably; though not with
out {; sharp glance at MS companion GU
will depart not in peace but in pieces if you
make a move toward that door. Now, let S
forget it. Here's an excellent first edition
of Brant6me." He placed the revolver on
the table very close to him and picked from
the litter a worn old volume.
Ryker waved it aside. "LOok here!' he
said. "Why can't we compromise? l see
that you won't let me go. Very well, I'll
make no attempt. But at least be fair.
| There's honor, you know, among
| My wife is nervous, anxious little woman,
| and I've never been away from her a night
since we were married two years ago. Let
me phone to her, telling her I'm suddenly
sent out of town on business until tomorrow,
or something like that.
| TT had come to him like flash, and he re-
lied upon its very audacity to help him
out He knew, of course, that Chappelle, or
Malverson, would recognize the round num-
bers of the telephone calls of "The Star" Of
| flee 5000 john, or police headquarters
800 Spring.. They would be out of the
question But McClntock, the city editor,
had phone in his home, and its number
was one of the general run of numbers. 1t
might easily be in Ryker's home. There
,,,oc % c1,,,co +bo+ ,,,o,,1J not no