Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-09-13

Mrs. Merrees had instigated the smuggling swlndle
that you invented-to blind me. Even Mrs Merrlees
pretended in the goodness of her heart And was de-
ceived until-this Mrs Ellsworthy locked in, and
so gave me chance to think from true point of de-
parture Then understood | thought it all out
realized that you had stolen the necklace-that you
were associate of criminalsthat was the daughter
of common thief!
Croaning Craven covered his face again.
aNow," said the girl @let me go. don't know what
action they to take against you, but as for me,
ask nothing better than to be permitted to go and for
get you
4You mean you won't appear against me?'
"Not if can manage to lose myself-another name
perhaps
at won't be necessary" Craven interrupted in
voice of chill despair He stood staring at her with
eyes deep sunken in sockets that had been suddenly
followed out by despair am done for!'
A CERTAIN simplicity in that declaration convinced
and struck fear into heart that had been i'm
pregnabe to all other appeals
what do you mean? Father what do YOU
mean?'
3You remember the Knave of Diamonds Knave
of Clubs? There's knave in the series,-
Spades,-and that spells-Death!'
@Father!"
aIt's an old story-too long to detail. The Knaves
are warnings haven't had Spades yet but I'll get
it within six hours unless produce the necklace to be
sold and shared And that's now removed forever be-
yond my reach!'
4Father!" the girl reiterated witlessly She caught
the of chair to steady herself unconscously sank
into it, and sat staring and terrified.
3The trouble said Craven in broken voice, "the
trouble is I've always wanted straight-aways.
guess every crook does, down deep. And when saw
a chance to marry money l shook Smith and Gordon.
Only they wouldn't be shaken. And then ran short,
and to keep up appearances until after the marriage
made up my mind to turn last trick,-the neck
ace,-and then, he laughed bitterly, 3vrtue But they
on the job. And then you turned up. Other
wise could have through with the loot and saved
myself Now"
He paused instant, profoundly speculative. Il
may have chance yet for getaway. They don't
know where am though they may suspect. If only
/ can get an hours lead out of town"
The sound of sobbing disturbed him. What lies had
conjured up-fear, disgust, contemplate truth had
exercised the rags and tatters of her chdhoods love
for him alone remained. Spent, broken in heart and
spirit hubed and torn with the horror his confession
inspired, Lydia sat huddled in misery racked with
tearing sobs.
Craven moved to her side, touched her hair with
hestant fingers. well, wel' he said huskily. 1--WE
were fond of each other, weren't we, while it lasted,
little girl? And your mother loved her. Well
we'll"
He turned and without her knowledge gained the
door, paused for single, prolonged backward glance;
shook his head uncertainty shrugged deity inserted
key in the slit in the doorknob; and let himself softly
out.
Only the muf1ed jar of the closing door made her
understand that she alone
CHAPTER XIV
TO the right of the hallway, entered, stood
conventional mahogany hat and coat rack framing
a mirror. On this Peter noticed the raincoat Craven
had His hat lay the floor the foot of the
stairway Immediately opposite the mirror arch adj
mitted to the drawing room, in darkness tenn
pered by the glow from the hallway.
Just within the arch lay the body of Thaddeus
Craven, supine, limp, with outstretched. Kneel-
ing beside the body, Quoin looked up at Mrs. Els
worthy and demanded in irritable voice. Light.