Omaha daily bee., 1916-10-23

gotten the envelope left by the yelled
lady. but seeing II on the table he had
the curiosity to open. Within was a
smaller envelope, and this contained,
in lieu Of check or bank note, five gold
soyereigns. Miss Poinsett's generosity
combined itself apparently with q wish
to preserve her privacy as carefully as
she hid her face. Several letters had
come by Npost, but one, arriving by
district messenger in Christopher's
absence had been laid on top Of the
others. Opening it, his blood rushed
tingling to the roots of his hair as his
eyes travelled down the neatly type
written page.
circumstances have put the writer
into possession Of secret which con-
science compels him to reveal. II you
would save the life of Sir Gordon Race,
20 back,to him instantly. Say that in
| the antique watch sent him this morn
ing is an explosive strong enough to
kill six men. Even II the case be
opened, spring must be touched
which will mean destrpction."s
This was all; but it brought Chrlsto-
pher Race to his feet and set his
heart humping. The anonymous let
ter might be practical joke--it
might be the work of mailman; but
[ II might also be the truth, and. without
stopping to dwell upon probabilities,
Christopher bottled downstairs, tucking
the sheet OF paper and envelope into
his pocket.
Off again sped Scarlet Runner like
a red arrow, the silent chauffeur Won
dering at Races tense face and reck-
less driving. Ludgate Hill was crowded
and many precious minutes wer wasted
before Christopher. could leap from
the car near the entrance to that grim
haunt Of lost hopes the Old Bailey.
/ Each approach was guarded by bur-
/ ly constables; but Christopher wrote
hastily on visiting card: u must see
you instantly on matter of life and
death, 1t concerns the ladies who WIS.,
tied you this morning." This he gave,
with sovereign, to the most intelli-
gent-looking .of the policemen. and
told him that somehow 1t must be got
Immediately to Sir Gordon Race,
Chrstopher's face forbade argu-
ments and challenged interest The
policeman vanished, to return present.
| ly followed by a legal-looking person
with the precise side-whiskers of a
lawyers clerk Sir Gordon would see
Mr.. Race. He was to come this way
by the eounsel's entrance, please"
This picture was painted on his
brain when hush fell upon the court,
save for the rustling as people got to
their feet while the Judge came in and
bowed gravely to the counsel. II was
as the Judge sat down and the murmur
swelled again that Christopher reach
ed a seat exactly in front of Sir Cor
4 las N.xr. DO Ia tra
4 great man fixed the newcomer, with
ness, something Of apprehension in It;
and silently he pointed to the pencilled
words onsthe card.
For reply Christopher handed him
the anonymous letter. and watched
the elder mans face change as he
read. Would he disbeleve the warn
ing? Christopher asked himself.
i Not for an instant had Sir Gordon
accepted the supposition that the writ
er OF the anonymous letter was mad
or testing grimly What fool
was not to suspect" he said. There's
one person on this earth--in this court
now-who has everything to gain by
putting me out Of the fight today
Great Heaven! II l had any heart
left In me. what could make out OF
this for Lady Mendell, How l could
break her enemies if---but this has
broken me. Nothing matters hereS
must get out OF this--I must follow
Nora--Miss Collingwood--and save
her"
Send me instead. | beg OF you,
broke in Christopher you cam
! go. You'll realize that when you're
yourself again. II you desert Lady
Mendell now you'll condemn her tC
, death. and | promise you I'll do al
to save Miss Collingwood and her peo'
: Pile that you could. Trust me and tel
: me where to go with my motor"
You're righ&' said Sir Gordon. tbs
: blood slowly flowing back to his white
, face. II can't play traitor. More thar