The Spectator., 1916-04-28
CHAPTER VIII.
The Wiles of a Woman,


 After the affair of the auto bandits three of whom were killed-a luli fol- lowed. If you're a sailor you know what kind of lull mean-blue-black clouds down the southwest horizon, the water crinkly, the booms wabbling. Suddenly a series of accidents" began to happen to Norton At first he did not give the matter much thought. The safe which fell almost at his feet and crashed through the sidewalk merely induced him to believe he was lucky. At another time an automO- bile came furiously around a corner while he was crossing the street, and only amazing agility saved him from bodily hurt. The car was out of sight when he thought to recall the number
 Then came the jolt in the subway Only desperate grab by one of the guards saved him from being crushed to death Even then he thought noth- ing. But when new box of cigarettes arrived and he tried one and found it strangely perfumed, and. upon further analysis, found it to contain Java nese narcotic, a slow but sure death, he became wide awake enough. They were after him. He began to walk carefully, to keep in public places as often as he possibly could.
 He was not really afraid of death. but he did abhor the thought of its coming up from behind. Except for the cigarettes they were all "acci- 1 dents;" he could not have proved any thing before a jury of his intimate friends.
 He never entered an elevator with out scrupulous care. He never passed under coverings over the sidewalks where construction was going on. Still, careful as he was, death con- fronted him once more. It was his habit to have his coffee and rolls he rarely ate anything more for his | breakfast-set down outside his door | every morning The coffee, being in a { silver thermos bottle, kept its heat for hours. When he took the stopper out and poured forth cup it looked oddly black, dscolored. It is quite probable that had there been no series of "ac- cidents' he would have drunk cup and died in mortal agony It con- tained bichloride of mercury
 Very quietly he set about to make inquiries. This was really becoming | serious. In the kitchens downstairs nothing could be learned The maid had set the thermos bottle before the door at 10:30. Norton had opened the door at 1:30--three hours after The outlook was not the cheerfuest He knew perfectly well why all these things "happened;" he had interfered with the plans of the scoundrels who were making every possible move to kidnap Florence Hargreave.
 One afternoon he paid Florence a visit. Of course he told her nothing. They had become secretly engaged the day after he had rescued her from the auto bandits. They were secretly i engaged because Florence wanted it so. For once Jones suspected noth- ing. Why should he? He had trou- bles enough. As matter of fact,
 
 sense as boy is afraid of a police 1 man.
 But on this day when the time came, he accosted the butler and drew him into the pantry.
 Jones, they are after me now"
 You? Explain"
 Norton briefly recounted the delib- crate attempts against his life.
 You see, I'm not liar enough to say that I'm not worried. l am, dey- ilishly worried, I'm not worth any ransom. I'm in the way, and they seem determined to put me out of it."
 ''To any other man I would say travel. But to you l say when you leave your rooms don't go where you first thought you would-that is, some usual haunt. They'll be everywhere. near your restaurants, your clubs, your office, You're a methodical young man. become cratic. Keep away from here for at least three days, but always call me up by telephone some time during the day. Never under any circumstance, unless I send for you, come here at night. Only one man now watches the house during the day, but five are proving around af- ter dark. They might have instruc- tions to shoot you on sight. can't spare you just at present, Mir Nor ton. You've been a godsend; and if 1t seems that sometimes I did not