The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1916-10-06
HIGEEaIiHH

lie sat down. anu, III MS llutNi
manner. discussed their prepare
tions for the future, and he was
still talking when. g minutes lat
err the door opened and Matilda
entered.
oh" she quavered. the serv
ants bell rang and answered IL
like Id heen told TO do and III
stepped four men~-tNo OF them
the policemen we let Ia that first
night. aud two men | never saw
Beforehand they asked II they
might speak 10 my brother. who
was visiting me- And IL prom.
Used to call HIN down oh. me
Angelica"
MIR. Pyeeroft. what does this
mean" cried Mrs. DE Peyater.
Heaven knows how they've
done Il. he snapped out Hut It
means they've tracked me here -
And II they take you-they
thfy may find me. and"
Nothing more likely" grlmly
responded MIR. Pyecroft
Then escape'" Mrs he Pey.
ster cried Run You still have
time"
Running from the police ia the
snrest way 90 get caught when
got you trapped" he an.
swsred Ia quick. staccato toncs.
They've got every door watched
sure. Anyhow listen They
haven't trusted you. Matilda
they've followed. Angelica. down
with your face to the wall. and be
sick"
Mrs DE peyHter oheyed. Mr.
Pyecroft drew the rooms one
chair up beside the bed. sat down.
picked up a book. and. with the
most natural manner in the world.
began TO read In loud voice The
next moment two policemen came
in. and presently two solid men. In
civilian dress. pushed thru the
door The foremost fixed on Mfr
Pyecroft a triumphant gaze.
Well. Preston. he said. so
we've landed YOU az last.
Mr.. Pyeerof,. his left forotinger
stili keeping the place In the book.
stared at the speaker 10 bewllder'
ment.
Pardon me. sir. but complete
~ fail TO understand what you are
about"
Don't try that con stuff on us:
~e won't fall for u" advised the
"flut II you aIn't sure
y ho you are. III; put You wise
MIR. Thomas prea,on. fnrger 81 the
Jefferson letters. IL gives me great
pleasure 10 introduce you to your.
self"
Mr.. pyecroft continued his pug.
ried stare. Then be laughed.
Gentlemen. you really seem to
be taking this matter seriously
Why. you two officers In uniform
saw me only the other night here
with my two sisters. and any one
In IN. nelghborhood can tell you
my sister. Matilda. has been
In this house Tor 20
years"
That tone was most plausible
THE tao uniformed policemen iools
ed At their superior obviously.
hsver you mind what they
seem the Lieutenant commented
iryly. And never you mind about
Matilda. know you're Thomas
Preston Jim. just siip the nlppsrs
on him. And there's something
queer about these women. Just
slip the bracelets on Matilda. too.
and carry downstairs the party In
bed Wen call tho police ambu.
lance for her. and take the whole
bunch over to the station"
The party in bed suddenly stlf
fened as II from stroke Of some
klsd. and Matilda fairly wilted
away. Mr.. Pyeeroft alone did not
change By so much 40 hair
One moment. gentlemen" he
interposed. before you 10 TO re-
grettable extremes. believe that
an even better witness to my
Identity can easily be secured"
And who's that. Tommiegf
II refer to Judge Harvey"
Judge Harvey" The iieuien.
ant was startled ont OF his ironic
exuitation.
THE same" said Pyecroft
Judge Harvey II ut this moment
IN thls house. Matilda. viii you
kindly ask him to step up here for
a moment"
The lieutenant frowned doubt.
fully at Mr.. Pyecroft. hesitated,
then nodded to Matilda
Presently Judge Harvey appeared
In the doorway.
Lieutenant Sullivan, See here.
what's the meaning OF this7" he
demanded sternly.
Evening. Judge Harvey" be.
gan the lieutenant. ITS like
this
Pardon me-" interrupted Mr.
Pyeeroft Judge Harvey, these
gentlemen here have been upon
The point OF making n blunder that
would be ludlcrous did It not have
its serious side. The fact Is. they
desire 10 arrest me"
Arrest you," exclaimed tho
Judge.
Yes. arrest me-" Mr. Pyecroft
went on. easily THAT would be
bad enough In Itself. But. az you
know. Judge Harvey. my arrest
would unfortunately but necessar.
fly involve the arrest Of several
other quite innocent persons
bring about great public scandal
and create situation that would
he deplorable IN every particular
You see that. JudgeY
Judge Harvey got the covered
meaning. ! see. But what do
they want 10 arres. YOU for?"
"On most absurd charge an.
swered MIR. Pyecroft, smlling-bu but
eyes straight into Judge Harvey's
eyes. They seem to think I am
Thomas Preston"
Thomas Preston" cried the
Judge.
he