Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-08-08

ward the above explanation applied or he
may have purposed slipping suddenly from
the vehicle and leaving me with the cir
cumstantial evidence of the wounded or
dead man TO identify me with the affair.
lie may have contemplated an incontinent
butchery of the pair of us, the better to
he rid of all witnesses-somethlng which
my unexpected assault may have fore
stalled As TO the revolver, ! had that In
my pocket.
Here It is," concluded, producing the
weapon.
De Netze examined It curiously "Ah,
yes" he nodded. Now I begin to under
stand You observe" He swung his arm
out with remarkable quiclSness and pulled
tho trigger.
The hammer snapped there was no ex-
plosion. VERY fortunately for you, per-
haps," he said Eravely, "one of the car.
tridges is jammed In the cylinder. All. yes
very fortunate, l should say"
II wonder what became Of the knife
spcculated. life would have stuck me had
he had II, I'm convinced. before he made
his escape"
"He didn't have It." affirmed DC Netze.
"fIow do you know"
81 was stabbed before you entered the
coupe. in all likelihood. DO you remember
passing any one as you descended the stairs
of Lady Herberts?"
ut seems to me that l do" assented
doubtfully. When l came to think of 1t,
there was, in fact, n faint and indiEtinct
memory of a figure which passed me, but
to which | then gave no heed. But could
not swear TO the fact
THAT Ia It." lie was positive. MY
frends'-his smile. as he said II, was in.
dcscribably evil and malevolent - were
somewhat thoughtless in their haste One
had forgotten something He returned to
get it. That Ia how YOU became involved
IL is very clear"
You should have no difficulty" I ad.
vanced, 'in determining their Identity"
81 have no doubts az to them Mt all"
You know them?"
Almost to a certainty"
"Then l suppose, you will Mt once lodge
information with the police"
But he lifted Dip one fine and transparent
hand with slight negative gesture. ITO
the contrary"
You will not"
"Seell revenge, Monsieur Trail? But yes,
and in my own way-ln my own good time.
This is not an affair for your brutal and
headlong English police, nor for the edlfica-
ton Of the British newspaper constituency.
on the other hand, promise you that those
gentlemen will meet with appropriate fate
without the news of the matter reaching
the police courts"
He stared contemplatively at the ceiling
for while
"They will be in France by now" He
delivered an expert opinion at length. In
France-yes." He nodded with assurance.
THAT is unless they feel sure of my COM
pete annlhilation and of your remaining
quiet-which Is not conceivable under the
circumstances"
Some time later the door was thrown
unccremoniously open and three men en-
tered. Sevrance's greeting was prompt.
We'll, Gordon Up and fresh, see?"
"And ravenous," I amended.
"Monseur de Netze," he continued, you
see 1 have been successful despite. the
fog"
"I am deeply sensible of your kindness"
said the Russian, tremendously. But, for
tho fog. is it not your native element?" he
added, with smile. And then heard him
say: Good morning, Captain. Fritz
good morning"
Sevrance turned to the man who had
first entered the room. There was twin
lSle in his eyes as he introduced us:
captain Won Holzborn permit me-Mr'
Traill of New York-Captain Won Holz-
born, of the German Embassy
You will understand a certain inevitable
confusion to which I was a prey because
Of this totally unexpected meeting with the
man. Already / had formed an opinion OF
him, based upon thoroughly unwarranted
mental conception. I was now TO revise
this Impression to the final detail
One thing / regard as certain and un-
deniable-he was worthy OF the highest
place possible of achievement, He was
wonderful scoundrel. a rogue OF the nigh
est order OF intelligence. devil of Infinite
ambitions, a man OF splendid aolIlues-
,vhen his due is rendered unto him.
But-his memory is hateful TO me TO this
day. -. ,-,... had
called Fritz" he was Won Holzborn's valet.
| discovered-a spare and active man OF
medium stature, trained in the German
army: with an eager but plnched face, ana
a r,0utb like a steel trap. He never volun-
teered word-never spoke until ad-
dressed.
Won Holzborn gave me civil word OF
greeting II have heard your name before,
Mr. Traill" he added pleasantly.
''From Sevrance?" l said, for the mo-
nent forgetting our position as rivals-of
which. to be sure. Holzborn was not yet
apprised ..,..,
Of you. Your name is not infrequently upon
the lips of my fiancee-Lady Herbert
1--WE are old friends" l said as simply
as / could. II am glad that she has not
forgotten me-"
/ know not in what manner I managed
TO betray myself, but for an instant was
aware that his hard, cold eyes were boring
into my own, like twin gimlets. And then
he turned brusquely away, addressly DE
Netze:
De Netze turned up the palms OF his
hands eNpreSSlNelS'
II must" he said laconically
we will wait until dusk" Won Holzborn
stated
argue.
authority: BE advised, / have made all
arrangements. 1t is best"
l fancied that De Netze resented his atti-
tude he asserted himself oddly.
You shall not lose because OF your
courtesy" he said.
The Prussian nodded shortly.
Il have all the details through Mr.,
Sevrance" he remarked a moment later.
Have you anything to addT"
Nothing of interest 10 you. But still
YOU may as we'll be put upon your guard.
/ was drinking with Sept at the buffet,
remember.
we had two glasses OF champagne He
inquired II l had the information safely
and / told him yes. BY accident some one
brushed rather heavily against me, and put
his elbow in my ribs an envelope per-
sonal note OF no importance-crackled in
my pocket"
De Netze paused for breath. SeYrance
silently handed him a wineglass OF port
for which ne nodded thanks, and which he
slipped from time to time during the re-
unaindar of his stay.