The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-04-08

But why! Can you tell me what
you thought TO accomplish -
You knew WE'LL" Ekstrom NUT
tered. After what happened in Loo
don-it's your life or mine!"
Spoken like a true villain of meIo-
drama! But 1t seems to me you over
looked a conspicuous chance to accom-
plish your hellish design back there In
the side streets"
Would be such fool as to shoot
you down before finding out what
you've done with those plans?"
You might as well have" Lanyard
informed him lightly. For you won't
know otherwise"
With an Infatuated oath the German
stopped short; but he dared not ignore
the readiness with which his tormentor
initiated the maneuver and kept the
pistol trained through the fabric OF bis
raincoat
"Yes?" Lanyard inquired with an ex-
asperating accent OF surprise.
Understand me-" Ekstrom muttered
vindictively; next time III show you
no mercy"
But If there is no next time? We're
not apt to meet again. you know"
That's something beyond your
knowledge
You think SO? But sha'nt we re-
sumo our stroll? People might see US
standing here-you with your teeth
barred like an ill-tempered dog. Oh.
thank you! And as they moved on.
Lanyard continued: Shall 1 explain
why we're not apt to meet again."
If 1t amases you. you may tell me
why you think So
Thanks once more. For the simple
reason that Paris satisfies me; SO here
stop"
"WeH?' the spy asked. with a blank.
sidelong look
Whereas you, mein herr, leave
Paris tonight
What makes you think that?''
Because you value your thick hide
too highly to remain, my dear cap
tain
Having gained the corner of the
Boulevard St Denis. Lanyard pulled
up.
''One moment. by your leave. You
see yOnder the entrance to the Metro
don't you? And here, a dozen feet
away. perfectly abIe-bodied sergent
de Vile! Let this fateful conjunction
impress you properly. for five minutes
after you have descended to the Metro
or as soon as the noise of train ad-
vises me you've had one chance to get
away shall mention casually to the
serge that L nave seen Captain Elk"
Hush!" the German protested in
hiss of fright
Certainly. I've no desire to embar-
rass you-publicity must be terribly
distasteful to one of your reserved and
sensitive nature. 1 know. But trust
you understand me? There's the
Metro; on the other hand, there's the
police; while here. you must admit.
am /, as large as life-and very much
on the job! And inasmuch as I shall
certainly mention my suspicious to
the minion of the law-as aforesaid
Id advise you to be well out of Paris
before daWn!"
There was murder in the eyes OF the
spy as he fingered, truculentIy lower
ing at the smiling countenance of the
adventurer; and for an instant Lam
yard was well persuaded he'd gone
too far, that even here. even at this
busy junction of two crowded thor
oughfares, Ekstrom would let his tenn
per get the better of his judgment and
risk everything in an attempt on tho
life OF his despoiler.
But he was mistaken.
With a surly shrug the spy swung
about and marched straight to the
kiosk of the underground railway, into
which. without one backward glance,
he disappeared
Two minutes later the earth quaked
beneath Lanyard's feet with the crash
and rumble of a north-bound train.
He waited three minutes longer; but
Ekstrom didn't reappear; and at
length, convinced that his warning had
proved efectual, Lanyard turned and
made OF.