The Washington herald., 1914-06-14

surprise. MI. MontreSsor was taken
aback. His daughter sat up in her chair.
Good old Algy." she murmured. II
always knew you were all right" she
added, smiling at him.
Mr.. Montressor recovered himself quick
iy. Mr.. Knox" he said, 'T am obliged
to you. Mr.. spendler. I presume. will
have no further objections?''
"Oh, I suppose notr' Leonard an
swered. Have IT your own way, then. 80
He sat down and wrote the few lines
which Mr.. Montressor dictated. The lat
ter then took up his hat. Perhaps we
Fad better leave the young people togeth-
er. eh. Mr.. Knox" he suggested. "I'u
just call round at the newspaper Of
fees myself with this"
III follow you directly" Knox prom
ised. as he paused to say good-by to
Leonard on tho threshold Of his rooms.
Look here. old chap he added, in an
undertone. I'm sorry, but so far as 1
can see-its the only chance"
suppose You know" Leonard re-
Piled. Seems to me the end of every
thing"
Not at ALL" Knox whispered. IT shall
have a contradiction put in every papetr
the day afterward. Lucky that Liiy's
in Cannes,"
Hanged if I can see this"
It's bit far fetched, perhaps" Kno,
admitted. "and yet, / honestly beIiev,
II the only chance. Cut 1t short with
later"
Inc announcement of Leonard's en-
Gasement appeared in the Morning Post
on tuesday On Wednesday morning
hhox, who had slept soundly after an
exceedingly busy day. was disturbed as
ne SAT at his late breakfast by a pro-
longed ringing OF the telephone bell
Mr.. spendler to speak to you. sir,
his servant announced.
Nnox took up the receiver. II was
teonard's voice at the other end. For
heavens sake, Algy, come round, Old
Montressor's just rung up. He's on his
way here with his daughter and a law
Yer. Did you put that contradiction in
mis- morning-'not the slightest founda-
tion?""
That's all right" Knox replied. "Iu
De round in ten minutes"
Knox finished his breakfast ut a
cigarette. and strolled into st. James
street Leonard, who was walking up
and down the room. welcomed him with
a little cry of relief.
Algy, old chap" he demonstrated. lit
isn't right to keep me in suspense like
this. First Of all. YOU agree to those
people showing in an announcement of
my engagement to Rose, and then YOU
90 and stick in a fiat contradiction the
iay afterward without a word of ex-
planation- What's it all mean?"
Calm yourself, Leonard" Knox
begged him. Il agreed to old Montres-
'ors putting that notice in the paper be-
cause 1t semed to me to be the only
>hance OF finding out whether the whole
hing was fake or not. Old Montres-
sor was an adventurer. right enough.
and you know what 1 think of the girl.
The doctor. when I tried to get at him.
rode the high horse and left me. as
We say. plante la That bothered me for
4 bit, and the only really interestins thing
discovered, when I set about making
4 few more inquiries. was that the fell
low Jules was really madly in love with
Rose. That's why let you insert the
notice"
Go on-go on Leonard implored.
The door was suddenly thrown open.
Mr.. Montressor, with a newspaper in his
land. burst in. He was followed by his
laughter and a legal-looking parsonage.
Now, SIR" Mr.. Montressor exclaimed,
With his finger upon a certain paragraph,
be so good as to explain this at once
Ind in the presence of my solicitor. Did
fou or did you not authorize me, two
II yourself to my daughter
Leonard glanced at Leonard. Il did,"
Ie admitted.
And is this contradiction also on
your authority" Mr.. Montressor de-
handed fiercely.
1T isl
You hear that. sir" Montressor
shouted. turning to the lawyer You
lear that! You have my instructions
o proceed with the case at once You
hall pay such damages for this Mr..
stop a minute" Knox interrupted.
I'm glad you've brought your lawyer
With you. Pity you didn't bring a po-
iceman, too"
"wha: do you mean, sir?" Mr.. Mon
ressor dema nded.
Il mean that 1 can now prove"
knox said. what was absolutely -ap-
aren't from the first. The whole thing
vas a fake. The man Jules is in lodg-
ngs in Camberwell street, waiting for
lis share of the plunder. I'm glad
'ou've brought a lawyer, Montressor.
here never was a clearer case of con-
piracy"
Mr.. Montressor swayed upon his feet.
iG face had gone a most unhealthy
olor.
Inc One weak point III your SCneIIle,
inox continued. was that you didn't
are tell Jules that you meant to marry
our daughter here TO Leonard. That
5 where you were wrong. That is also
Thy I advised Mr.. Spendler to allow
hat announcement of his engagement
o be inserted in the newspapers Yes
erday your house was watched for
elegrams or callers. You received a
elegram fairly early, Mr.. Montressor.
nd afterward you went to the Cam
erwell road. A pretty lively inter-
lew you had with Mr.. Jules, 1 dare
ay. You managed to keep him quiet.
ut 1 saw him later, and he had a good
cal to say. Then your little doctor.
oo-he wasn't quite such a blackguard
$ you'd like to make out. He came to
lie last night. He's been worrying.
Ie confessed that when the thing oc-
urred he was dead drunk. He had no
lea what happened. He had nothing
D do with your little scheme.
Now, Mr.. Montressor," Knox conclud-
d. standing up, "out of this room within
hirty seconds you and your daughter
nd your lawyer, and never let any of
s see your faces again. That's all I
r my friend Spendler have got to say
D you. If there's the least trouble, mind.
touch this bell for a policeman. There's
ne outside"
Mr.. Montressor turned slowly away.
he girl gave one look at Leonard. Even
that moment an appalling thought
rossed her brain. My sablesr' she
asped.
You can keep en-" LeczAd said
hortly, and everything else I've given
ou.''
The door slammed behind them. It
nc n N a awkward moment Enox glanced