The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-18

Frinet. II, indeed. the darkeninG way
were lined with ghosts no signs of their
near pr. sence seemed to trouble or dis
compose him.
He drove on toward his goal as one
might PASS To his home after the days
", rk. II was the end to which he
M we'd. Before night was done he meant
to rid himself of the two remaining per-
sons on earth still possessed of his
secret.
1t was barely dusk before he flew up
the last descent Below him was the lit
tic bay and the villa. \ single light was
fiickering from one Of the top rooms
He looked at II for moment thought
fully. He could picture Rachel lying
there bound and gagged according TO
his orders. watched over 10y Gassiat-
tho man who had never failed him.
Slowly and with firm fingers he
guided the car down the hill. Under the
shadows II the trees which frnged the
villa gardens he brought it to a stand
still and glanced once more at his
watch. He still had plenty of time.
lie vaulted lightly over the wall and
stood for moment looking around linn
at the edge Of the lawn. still no one
moved, no sign of life came from the
villa. Gassiat should have been on the
alert Nevertheless he had no thought
of evil as he rounded the veranda.
Arrived on the seward side of the
villa he stopped short. He looked down
at the landing stage with surprise. The
launch which he had expected to FIND
fastened there was missing. II. stepped
back and pcered into the boatshed on
the landward side. 1t was empty. save
for a small. rickcty dingy.
queer little prcmonition of evi
seized him for "a moment only To bt
brushed on one side impaticItly. IL,
had made his plans. 1t was not likel,
that anything had gone wrong. If Lax
worthy or any other had interviewed the
lives of twenty men lay within the
weapon upon the butt of which his
fingers We're already clasp-d.
/ He retraced his steps To the from
door of the villa and stepped boldly in.
side. At first he could hear nothing
Slowly he mounted the stairs. lie had
directed that Rachel was to he hount
and left In her bedroom to await hi.
coming.
He pushed open the door. There wa,
no trace Of her there. He tried all tn,
|
There was no sign of Gassiat, there wa.
no sign Of Rachel.
Still unfalteringly. he descended
What this thing might he which hat
prevented Gassiat from obeylng hi.
orders he could not tell. but he YEA,
prepared to face 1t. He looked in a
the little sitting room. II was empty.
Last OF all he opened the door of tn,
dining room, and he began to under
| stand. He stood there upon the thresh
| old. and his fingers were stiff upon tn
| barrel of his murderous weapon. Iii
| hand, however never moved. For tn
| moment II was useless.
The curtains of the room We're closet
| drawn. Seated at the small round tahl,
| on which were the remains Of wha
| seemed to have been an excellent din
ner, were Rachel. Mr.. l.aXworthy, NJ,
Forrest Anderson and Sydney. Eut tn
thing which interested him most wa
the unfaltering and steady pointing q
the revolver clasped In Mr.. l.axworthy'
right hand.
My dear Paul. you are "A welcom
guest" Rachel exclaimed. turning he
head a little. Take on your coat an
sit down. I have done my best to IN
terrain these gentlemen until your con,
ing"
raul Graycs stood still upon tn
threshold, and while he stood his brai
was working like lightning. Who wa
this man LaxwOrthy? An enemy? ON
who had been on his track from tn
first? Was he to be bought or was thI
indeed the end?
Fortune had always been with him
fortune side by side with his indom
table courage. Was this the last trio
In the game? He refused to believe /
He shrugged his shoulders ever $
slightly and advanced into the room
He did not. however. at once remove hi
coat