South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1916-07-17

was, that ladder"
"Humphl"
For a second peither spoke. The
revolver still covered Duff, steady
as a rock.
Like to clear out that way?" in
quired the other, in a conversational
tone.
"Only give me the chance!"
breathed Duff fervently.
Its compounding a felony" said
the other, with slow hesitation.
Gall it anything you like. but let
me go just this once" entreated Duff
Quick march" commanded the
man. Step by step he followed DUFF
down the hall, the revolver held in a
cold ring on the back OF his neck
Duff scrambled hastily down the lad
der. and shot out of sight through the
courtyard and disappeared, tearing off
his mask as he went and reshaping
his soft-felt hat.
Then he adjusted his eyeglass. un-
bottoned the front OF the coat. from
beneath which a stiff white shirtfront
cleaned, and making his way round
to the front Of the flats. strolled into
the vestibule and inquired Of the
sleepy night porter if Mr.. James Hea-
den had returned.
Just come in, sir. replied the
porter, and whisked Duff up TO the
second floor.
Left alone, Dur smeared some oil
over a small key. slipped the latter
in the lock Of No. 80 door, and turned
it soundlessly. The light still blazed
in the hall; a golden rod Of it glowed
on the parquet flooring bereath the
aperture Of the draw wing room door.
Duff pushed the door open.
Beneath the shaded electric lights
Mr. James Headers figure bent over
the bowl OF tulips on the oak table.
on which several of the plants lay
prone.
Doing a bit Of gardening?" said
Duff. in a quiet drawl.
The bent figure swung round as If
electrified.
Duff levelled a cleaning automatic
and held II steady as a rock.
The tables are turned, I think"
he said pleasantly Don't move an
inch. or I'll shoot. and rarely miss"
Mr.. James Headen's lips parted
over set OF gold-stopped teeth
Who the deuce are you?" he
Kissed, darting a frenzied glance at
his revolver, which lay on a small
table in the centre Of the room.
Dun crossed over 20 the weapon
aud pocketed It,
Major Derwent Duff is my name"
he said in a drawl Don't novel"
hrr CT h. Z
the oak table.
You're a clever sort Of person"
he remarked conversationally. 1--WE
searched every inch Of your fat for
possible clues to the various bur.
glaries which have puzzled Scotland
Yard Of late, but without a glimmer
Of success. I'll own up I overlooked
the tulip bowl"
As he spoke he swung his gaze
for a second from the mans fear
stricken face 10 the disturbed bowl
Of flowers Among the peat litter
there cleaned diamonds, pearls. en-.
eralds, rubies. all unset.
Quick as lightning the cornered
man thrust out a twining foot and
hooked Duf's right leg, jerking MIN
OH his balance on the polished floor
and bringing him asprawI with a
thud.
For some seconds the two fought
life-and-death struggle. which
ended abruptly by Duff thrusting up
an irOn-hard fist clenched on the
butt OF his revolver. which came into
contact with the others chin. The
mans head fell back and his body
rolled over.
Duff struggled 70 his knees. trussed
up his antagonist neatly with a thin
coil Of rope which be took from his
pocket, and leaving mis- visitor in
stiff bundle, crossed 10 the telephone