The Washington herald., 1915-01-31

tnaI am! why uluh guess ~ ~
fore? That stun could be knocked about
until-of course!-" He plunged out OF
the room, and down the steps. until he
got to the line Of policemen.
1T want the man on point duty" he
flung out; then his eyes lit up again as
a tall "Bobbie" stepped forward and
saIuted You, Boyce. is it? That's good.
A man of your intelligence is bound TO
have noted something in this case. How
many houses are there in this square
aItogether-and who live in them? DO
you know?"
Yes. sir, as 1t happens, do" was
the alert response. There are only
eight This is the list"
He handed it to Cleek, who perused
it with a sort of intensified eagerness;
then handed It back to the man.
mo use climbing up that tree, then.
Were there any suspicious characters in
the square this morning-organ grinders
or carts-when the explosion occurred?
mo. sir-only a moving van.
Anybody moving?''
mo, sir: that's what made me look at
1t, not expecting to see one in closed
square like this-that and the funny look
OF the drivers seat. took the name
and address. Here 1t is, sir-'Dallington
& Co., Furnival street But when the
explosion occurred, Of course, 1 rushed
off. and 1 expect the van drove away
for I didn't see it again"
Hmm! And what was the funny part
about the vans appearanceT put In
CIeek pIacidly, twisting up in his fingers
the tiny scrap OF black stun that lay In
his hand.
Boyce gave an apologetic laugh
Nothing much, SIR" said he. But 1t
struck me queer for 1t to be lined
throughout with zinc. I couldn't help
but think how it was pretty cold to sit
upon, and with a door at their back
why, Ior' lunme. what is it. sir?"-for
CIeek gave vent to a little cry Of un-
alloyed delight.
The clever devils!" he raped out
sharply Splendid. Boyce. my lad"
Then he turned to the superintendent
who was standing near. Il know all /
want to know now, Mr.. Narkom," he said
serenely, and straightway made for the
Limousine.
I But at the door of 1t he paused, pulled
out his notebook and scribbled something
on a leaf and put 1t into Mr.. Narkom's
hand Find out II poor Fritz Tarleschen
l.. HpGnffaI and
compare the imprint OF this vaccination
mark with his if he's there. I've got
Just one call to make, and I'll join you
there in half an hour. Also have plain
clothes man trace that van.''
It was barely an hour later when Lieut..
Deland was admitted once more into
the presence of Count Estamar and the
Countess Adela. AS he entered there
came a telephone message for him from
Mr.. Narkom, who had been delayed at
Scotland Yard.
Was Tarleschen there, Mr.. Narkom?'
uueried Cleek, as he went to the instru-
ment.
Good Lord. no." answered Narkom's
voice. ''The Charing Cross Hospital au-
thorities had never even heard OF the
accident, much less seen him. Also, you
were right about the van. 1t was char
tered by the spy known to US as z. X,
and our men are hot on his trail. The
van, which we have seized, contains some
electrical devices like a wireless outfit" ."
Good That's just as thought, but
fear we shall not get 2. x. this time.
found my patient, however. You'll hear
from me soon" As he turned from the
telephone he smilingly went to the door.
Outside there was a confused hubbub of
voices, and in the doorway appeared two
servants half carrying the bandaged fig
ure OF q man.
"Egonl" cried both the count and
countess together; and they sped to him
like two arrows impelled by a single
bow.
Traitor or not, it was evident that af-
fection still reigned in the hearts of both
father and fiancee for this man who had
faced death so shortly ago.
Get him to bed quickly, interposed
SIeeh, VI lne OOClOEs VIII HOl oho"SA
| for his ultimate recovery. See; they are
waiting" He waved to the door. where
appeared a silk-hatted figure and two
hospital nurses, who in a twinkling had
rescued their patient and carried him
of to a room upstairs.
But what does it mean? Who IL that
other?" Count Estamar made a gesture
toward the dead man upstairs.
"who should it be-" gave back Cleek
grimly, but the real traitor, Gustave
MoselIe, alias Fritz Tarleschen, a spy
OF some renown."
FRITZ My God-FrftzI" broke out the
count excitedly. TT is incredible-impos-
sible! Fritz! Then does 1t mean that
Egon. my son. is not, after all
"A-traitor." concluded Cieek softly.
with a tender smile. NO, count, no
traitor comes from your line after all.
No, Countess Won Altburg. you let your
jealousy run away with you when you
fancied 1t was your lover talking to the
head of the Apache gang. Indeed. 1t was
Tarleschen clad in his clothing, and It
was Tarleschen who was followed by the
detective this morning as he went, still
disguised. on the errand that caused his
death"
But he could not speak," protested the
girl. her eyes shining.
That" answered CIeek, was only