The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-02-01

| that the questions which I am asking
YOU am asking in the interests OF your
master and the hotel. 1t Is the situation
down at the villa which interests me-"
said Mr.. Laxworthy. "Tell me, VINO
waits upon Mr.. Poignton and Mr.. Len
feld?"
"No one, sir from the hotel Mr.. Len
field got NJ. Helder's old cook to look
| after them, and the waiting is done by
| Mr.. Poignton's valet. Both gentlemen
| declared that they were very anxious
for an absolutely quiet time. Mr.. Poign-
ton, as you know. sir, was always lit
| tie eccentric
quite 80. So really no one from the
hotel goes down there at all?"
NO, one. sir. We see Mr.. Poignton
and Mr.. Lenfield sitting outside some-
times. but as matter Of fact they seem
to he leading an extraordinarily Sc
Guided life"
"Mr Hamar has gone to London.
beleve?"
THAT is so. SIR
} MIR Poigntons secretary is. l think
you said. at Marscilcs?"
Yes, sir"
THANK you" Mr.. Laxworthy con-
cluded. You see, the information ] re-
quired is not very serious, is it? That
is all. Fritz"
Mr.. I.axworthy descended to dinner
more than ordinarily thoughtful. At the
conclusion Of the meal he summoned
sydney.
We are going" he announced. for a
short stroll. Miss Chambers will ac-
company u.s."
Miss Chambers was waiting for them
in the hall. They all three stepped out
. together.
Are We going anywhere in particu-
lar?" sydney asked cheerfully.
We are going to the villa" Mr.. Lax
worthy replied. 1T Is just possible that
We may have little trouble there
They approached the front door. Mr..
LaNworthy tried the handle softly. The
door was fastened with a safety lock.
From one Of his pockets he produced
"a key.
Come" he said
They followed him into the hall. Mr..
Laxworthy opened the door of the sit
ting room. Freezing Pognton was there
alone. reading. He looked up with a
frown at their entrance. Mr. Laxworthy
said nothing. 1t seemed as though his
silence was purposeful
What do you WANT" the man In
the easy chair asked sharply.
"You understand it moderately we'll. e
Mr.. Laxwopthy said cooly. "Rv the
bye. let me tell Won at once that IL You
raise your voic" there will be trouble
Keep quiet. and your shar" in this little
affair may be treated lightly II you
take sides at all you VIII suffer with
those who lose
Il don't know what you mean" the
| other muttered.
Mr.. Laxworthy shrugged his should
ers
"You know very well. Mr.. Hastings -
he replied. "Remomhor that I saw you
when You gave that little performance
ut the Paradise Hotel the other night.
heard You offer. after your few I'M
presentations Of celebrated people. %
imp"rsonate any one in the audicnc"
with nv" minutes preparation. You
have certainly managed. for the last
fow days. To nllay all ANXIETY ne re-
cards n" whereabouts If Feeding
roiGnton. ana want YOU To undcrst1 nj
1ow th7t tn" game Is up.
Sit down in VOW chair. 20 back Ia
'our book. and keep your m 'uth shut.
That Is the only way You VII 10 all"
~ escape a little from the trouble that
H. coming"
N'rv quietly he did exactly as he was
hidden. sydney was shaking his head.
"i'v love. though" he muttcred. its
n clever imitation Why. I've seen
him half a dozen times sitting about
outside the villa, and I've never doubted
COR "A moment but that it was Freezing
roiGntou."
They aSccnd.d quite quietly To the
first landing. outside the door of the
front room they paused. Then what
little color remained in the girls cheeks
suddenly faded away. They heard dis
tinctly the low. terrible moan Of a man
in pain.
Mr.. LaNworthy hcsitated for barely n
second. lie tried the handle of the
door. II yielded To his touch. All three
uassed the threshold.
The room was lit by single lamp.
In shirt and trousers, with untidy hair.
a spot of burning color upon his cheek
bones. Lenfeld was standing with both
, arms outstretched, as though he had
been interrupted in the middle of a
speech. Below him stretched ON IA long
settee stripped of its cushions. tied
with a hundred pieces Of rope-tied at
, the ankles. the knees, the legs, the chest,
cverywhere-lay the figure Of man.
deathly white. Even as they entered
the room they heard his piteous APP
peal.
Let me go" he moaned. You shall
have another millon--.ten, il you will
Let me go-I am dying, All. What's
that -
He tried to turn his head toward the
u door, but the ropes prevented him.
Leniield looked up, and recognized
them with II howl OF rage. He stepped
( between them and his victim.
Get away" he cried. This is nc
0 affair Of yours. BE on Laxworthy
5 YOU rat, YOU miserable, scheming, cursed