The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-06-13

 nothing ever happened to you. And now you've got it thick and strong and he began to laugh very pleasantly.
 By love, yes! Just think of 1t! What a story ito tell at the club! Real ly, MT. Hannay, I suppose I should be angry, to show my innocence, but it's too funny I almost forgive you the fright you gave me. You looked so glum I thought I might have been walking in my sleep and killing peo- pie"
 It couldn't be acting. It was too confoundedly genuine.
 My heart went into my boots, and my first impulse was to apologize and clear out. But I told myself must see 1t through, even though I was to be the laughing stock of Britain.
 The light from the dinner table can dlesticks was not very good, and to cover my confusion I got up, walked to the door and switched on the cleo tric light The sudden glare made them blink, and I stood scanning the three faces.
 We'll, I made nothing of it. One was old and ha1d, one was stout, one was dark and thin. There was noth- ing in their appearance to prevent them being the three who had hunted me in Scotland, but there was nothing to identify them.
 simply can't explain why I, who as a roadman had looked into two pairs of eyes and as New Ainslie into anoth- CT pair-why I, who have a good mem ory and rcasona ble powers of obserya- tion-couId find no satisfaction. They seemed exactly what they processed to be, and could not have sworn to one of them.
 There in that pleasant dining room, with etchings the walls and pic ture of an cid lady in a bib above the manteIpiece, could see nothing to con meet them with the moorland despera- does. There was a silver cigarette box beside me. and I saw that 1t had been won by Montague Appleton, Esq, of the St. Regis club in a golf tourna- ment. I had to keep firm hold of Pc ter Pfenaar to prevent myself bOlting out of that house.
 We'll said the old man politely, fare you reassured by your scrutiny. sir?''
 couldn't find word.
 ''I hope you'll find 1t consistent with your duty to drop this ridiculous busi- ness, I make no complaint, but you'll see how annoying it must be to re- spectable people"
 shook my head.
 ''Oh,'' said the young man, "this is a bit too thick!''
 'Do you propose ito march US off to the police station?'' asked the plump one. That might be the best way out of 1t, but I suppose you won't be con- tent with the local branch. I have the right to ask to see your warrant, but don't wish to cast any aspersion upon you. You are only doing your duty. But you'll admit it's horribly awkward What do you propose to do?''
 There was nothing to do except to call in my men and have them arrest ed or to confess my blunder and clear out felt mesmerized by the whole place, by the air of obvious innocence not innocence merely, but frank, hon est bewi1derment and concern-in the three faces.
 ''Oh, Peter Pienaar!'' I groaned in ward1y, and for moment I was very near damning myself for a fool and asking their pardon
 'S1eantime vote we have game of brtdge,'' said the plump one. "It will give Hannay time to think over things and you know we have been wanting a fourth player. Do you play, sir P
 accepted as if it had been an or dinary invitation at the club. The whole business had mesmerized me We went into the smoking room, V<here a card table was set out, and was of fered things to smoke and drink.
 took my place at the table in q kind of dTeam.
 The window was open, and the moon a. .ae.. a great tide of yellow light. There was moonshine, too, in my head. The three had recovered their composure and were talking easily-just the kind of slangy talk you will hear in any golf clubhouse.
 must have cut rum figure, sitting there knitting my brows, with my eyes wandering.
 My partner was the young. dark one. play fair hand at bridge, Tut must have been rank bad that night. They saw that they had got me puzzled, and that put them more than ever at their ease. I kept looking at their faces, but they conveyed nothing to me. It was not that they looked different; they were different. I clung desperately to the words of Peter Pienaar. Then something awolze me- The old man laid down his hand to light . cigar. He didn't pick it up at once, bul sat back for 8 moment in his chair with his finger tapping on his knees. 1 It was the movement I remembered 1 when I had stood before him in tho moorland farm with the pistols of hiF l servants behind me.
 1 A little thing, lasting only second | and the odds were a thousand to on' that might have had my eyes on m, ] cards at the time and missed it. But didn't, and in a flash the air seemed l to clear. Some shadow lifted from ID, brain, and I was looking at the thre men with full and absolute recogni ] ton.
 The clock on the mantelpiece strucl 10 o'clock