Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1914-12-24
JOHN ERLETGH-
SCF1OOLMASTER
GRIPPING STORY OF LOVE MYSTERY AND KIDNAPPING


angular face.
"Beggin' your pardon. sir" she said.
what is it?'' he muttered. She closed
the door, came forward and presented
him with dirty envelope
what's that?' he said, taking It from
her hand.
"a man left It for you, sir"
ANY answer7'
NO sir"
"Then what are you waiting for2'
There's that matter OF the bill, sir
! my little account"
"oh. your account, Mrs. Drake-yes. of
course. I've run short of cheques-rl get
book IN the morning"
you told me that three days ago, sir
said the landlady stlffly
! Merlet laughed. "Did II" he said
pleasantly. well. ! forgot to write Ito
the bank till yesterday; but really Mrs.
Drake, you don't think that I cannot
pay your
"oh, no, sir. not for one moment;
but still, we have to live hand to mouth,
so to speak, and we can't walt long for
our money
How much Is lt2''
Two pounds eleven shilllngs and three
pence. SIR"
Merlet put his hand in his pocket and
drew out some money. He counted out
the exact sum and handed II TO the land
lady.
''I wanted this for something else." he
said gently, something cannot very
we'll pay by check, but you can have Il.
l should hate to think l was keeping
you short OF cash.
He smiled as he spoke, and, like all the
Meriets he had a very charming smile.
He seemed hardly like the same man who
had been sitting in the chair scowling
at the hideous portrait of Mrs. brakes
father. This was one of his assets, that
he could seem to be a very pleasant fell
low indeed.
beaming at him; thank you so much,
sir. You have kind heart--I do hope,
sir. that II won't inconvenience you"
Not bit, Mrs. Drake. You're well
come. Can / have little coal?"
Certainly, sir-I'll send the girl up with
it"
She took her departure. and Dick Merict
muttorcd an oath. He felt, however. that
he had acted wisely in parting with
nearly half of his capital. There might
come time when ne would wish to stand
well in the landlady's opinion, when II
might be necessary to ask some little
favor of her.
He held up the envelope between his
finger and thumb and looked at it, 1t
was addressed to "Mr Jerrold" In hand
writing that might have been that of II
board schoolboy. He opened II and read
the contents:
Your house is watched already. You
must be careful. wish to see you to-
night. You must give them the slip IL
possible, and come to 16, Turl-street, Full
ham, whore am staying over Christmas,
about o'clock. Ny place is quite safe,
but take care you are not followed. Give
the name OF Carson
He read the letter through twice and
placed II In the fire. Then no laughed
and helped himself to another whisky
and-soda. He was glad that Vertlgan
had come to town for the Christmas holi-
days Vertigan would have to lend him |
money.
He left the house at half-past 8, and |
saw that the street was empty save for n |
shabblly dressed man who was lighting |
his pipe on the other side of the road |
He glanced at the fellow, took in every |
detail OF his face and clothes, and then
walked quickly away in the direction of
grove. The man made no |
attempt to follow. II was evident that |
for the present the detective had no wish |
TO arouse his suspicious.
When he reached the grove he took /
taxi and arrived at 16, Turl-street, Full |
ham, as the clock stuck 3. II was |
small. neat house. Just the sort OF place |
where respectable schoolmaster who had |
not much money might have been ex-
pected TO take lodgings. He rang at the
door, gave his name as Mr.. Carson. and
was shown up into a sitting room on the
first floor. Nertigan rose from a table
where he was having supper and shook
hands with him.
$50 the brutes have found me out have
they?" queried Meriet.
I'm afraid so. I have passed your
house twice-once today and once yester-
day-and each time there was the same
man lettering In the street"
"a short man-ln a shabby gray over
black beard?'
"Yes, that's the fellow; our friend
Barker. expect. Well, have some Inn
Dortant news for you. Sit down and have
! drink. Had your food, I eypeet2"
Meriet did not answer He seated him
self at the table and mixed himself a
whisky -and-soda.
Good nswsY" he queried, when he had
Iatlsded his thirst
mot altogether-but looking at IT from
me point OF view"
Get TO the point" interrupted Meriet
Iavagely I'm be Judge whether it's
rood or bad"
well. It's fairly startling. anyway
we just heard that an attempt was
made to hdnap young Wimberley last
Iune."
Last Tuneg" echoed Nerlet. my dear
Yertlgan-some one has been having a
,ame with you"
"It's the sort OF game that can't go on;
we only just heard OF 1t. Mrs. Travers
'ot hint OF II from her brother. and
ound a chance OF having a chat with the
10Y. She got the whole story from him
-under oath OF secrecy. as he didn't |
gant It 10 reach the ears OF his mother.
II tell you just what happened"
CONTINUED SATURDAY.
Copyright. 1914. BY the Associated Newspapers.
Limited. u