Putnam patriot., 1914-08-14
DAY OF
 DAYS
By LOUIS JOSEPH VANCE
Copyright, 1912. by the Frank A. Muusey Co.

MT. Shayuout" the little man de manded sharply.
 MT. Bayard Shaynon 'as just gone not five minutes ago. sir" Gone whereT'
 ''To his apartments. presume. sir" ''Then I'll see Mir. Brian Shaynon."
 I'm afraid. sir. MT. Shaynon is ard ly likely to see any one at this hour"
 Hell see me" replied P Sybarite "He hasn't gone to bed, I gather?"
 Not yet. sir, but 'e's goin' imme- diate"
 Very well. You may as well let me in"
 Suspicious. but impressed, the serv- ant shuffied aside. and P Sybarite brushed past him into the hallway
 Where is he?"
 "Tf you'll give me your mime, sir. I'll tell him you're ere"
 r. Sybarite hesitated. He was in no mood for joking. yet a certain dour humor in the jest caught his fancy and persuaded his better judgment.
 Nemesis" he said briefly.
 "Mr.-name-what? Beg pardon. sir
 Nemesis" P. Sybarite artieulated distinctly And don't mister it. He'll understand"
 "Thenk you" muttered the servant klankly and turned.
 On impulse P Sybarite strode after him.
 ..Op Saoond tbouohtS vou naadn't announce me I'll go up with you"
 I'm afraid can't permit that sir observed the butler. mortified. If wss to permit that. sir, it might cost me my position"
 "WelI"-
 P. Sybarite drew back. relenting.
 But at this tuncture. from a point d. rectiy over their heads. the voice of Brian Shaynon interrupted them.
 "Who is that. Soames?" he called lmpatisntly. without making himself visible Has MT. Bayard returned?"
 No. sir" the butler called. distress ed. "It's-it's person. sir-insists on seein' you-says is nime's Nemmysis. !" There WAS a sound of heavy. drag ging footsteps on the upper landing, and Brian Shaynon showed himself at the head of the stairs: now without his fGrred great coat. but still in the evening clothes of Elder Responsibility Responsibility sadly rumpled and maltreated
 'l don't seem to know you" he said slowly. with weary shake of his h..nA the hour, fear you must excuse me"
 His accents quavered quernlously and P. Sybarite, with a flash of scorn. put his condition down to drink.
 Far from it." he retorted ruthless ly. What have you done with Marian Blessington:"
 "Mar-Marianr the old voice iter- ated Why. she"-the man pulled himself together with a determined eff fort-"she's in her room of course Where should she be?"
 'Is that true?" P. Sybarite demand ed of the butler in a manner so perem. tory that the answer slipped out before the fellow realized it.
 Miss Marian 'asnt returned as yet from the ball" he whispered '.E-'e's not quite 'imself. sir Els 'ad bit of a shock. as one might s'y. I'd go easy on i'm. if you'll take word from me"
 But P. Sybarite traversed his advice without an instant's conslderatio
 Brian Shaynon." he called. you lie. The police have caught Red November. I'll worm the truth ont of him within twenty minutes. if l don't get 1t from you now. The games up. Come. What have you done with the girl?"
 For all answer. a low cry. like the plaint of a broken hearted child. issued from the leaden. writhen lips Of the old man. He seemed suddenly to lose the strength of his limbs His legs shook beneath him as with palsy; and then knees buckling he tottered and plung ed headlong from top to bottom of the staircase
 Kneeling beside the body of Brian Shaynon. where 1t had lodged on a broad. low landing three steps from the bottom of the staircase. the butler turned up to P Sybarite fshy. unemo tiona eyes in pasty fat face.
 Els gone" he announced.
 The little man said nothing.
 Resting a hand on the newel post. he looked down unmoved upon the mortal wreck of him who had been his llfe's bane
 Dead" the butler affirmed releas ing the pulseess leaden wrist and ris- ing q presoom I'd best call Is doc tor. adn't I. sir? He'd ad bit of shock before you come in. sir"
 .Yes?" murmured P. sybarite ae- sently.
 "Yes. sir. bit of a shock. owin' to Is 'avin' quarreled with Mir. Bayard- sir"
 P sybarite interrosated with his eyes alone
 "It was a bit odd. come to think off the ole affair. sir Must ave been over an hour ago. Mir shaynon ere. p come 'ome alone from the dance 'adn't more than got inside the house, sir. wen a lidy called on i'm Properly sneakin' she wasn't a lidy at all-but woman. mean to s'y. bit fash
 q understand you Go on.
 well. sir. didn't ave chance to over'ear wat 'er business were. but | seemed to work on Mr. Brian there somethin' 'orrid. They was eloseted Tn the library upstairs not more than twenty minutes. and then she went and e rung for me and 10 bring 'im brandy and not delay about it. 'E ,,grIv amptied the decauter. too. be