The Spectator., 1916-06-02
Stay where you are!"

out ana caught her arm. Sne trleu to tear herself loose.
 My child, in Gods name, listen to reason! They are entering the hall | and they will have us both" Suddenly Florence knew. She could not have told you why; but there was to her heart.
 You are my father!"
 Yes, yes. But you've found it out just triie too late, my dear Quick; this side of the desk!"
 Braine and his men dashed into the library. Olga entered lesurely.
 Both of them!" yelled Braine ex- ultantly. Both of them together; what luck!"
 There was a sharp, fierce struggle; and when it came to an end liar greave was trussed to a chair.
 "Ah, so we meet again Hargreave" said Braine.
 Hargreave shrugged. What he wanted was time.
 "A million, We have you. Where is it, or I'll twist your heart before your eyes"
 Father, forgive me"
 T understand, my child
 Where is it?" Braine seized Flor ence by the wrist and swung her to- ward him
 Don't tell him, father; don't mind me- said the girl bravely.
 Braine, smiling his old evil smile, drew the girl close. It was the last time he ever touched her.
 Look" screamed Olga.
 Every one turned, to see Jones face peering between the curtains. There was an ironic smile on the buffers lips. The face vanished.
 After him." cried Braine, releasing Florence
 After him." mimicked voice from the hall.
 The curtains were thrown back sud denly. Jones appeared. and Jim and the Russian agent and dozen police men. Tableau'
 Braine was the only man who kept his head. He floored Norton. smashed a window. and leaped out. The blow dazed Norton, but he was on his feet almost instantly and followed Braine through the window. Across the lawn the two sped, with an exchange of shots which emptied both automatics but did no damage. Braine headed for his auto. He jumped in, only to be hauled out again by the furious reporter A handto-hand fight fol- lowed; and the clean life of the re- porter told.
 There. my angelic friend, l believe that the game is up. There is one shot left in this automatic. If you make any attempt to escape, I'll let you have 1t; not to kin but to disable You and your precious countess will sail tomorrow morning for the Baltic, and from there you will go to the lead mines.' He dragged his prisoner to- ward the house.
 Your troubles are over. my child" said Hargreave. as he pressed Flor. ence to his heart.
 And mine have begun" murmured the countess. But I have still one shot,"
 The police stood encircing her. Calmly she opened her handbag and took out her handkerchief. It was thick and heavy silk one. Swiftly she unscrewed the top of her walking stick tit will be seen now that the carrying of it was not an affectationD, extracted vial and threw it violently to the floor. An overpowering sweet odor filled the room. Jones, knowing how deeply versed Braine was in ori- ental' posons and narcotics, made a desperate but futile effort to tear down curtain to throw over the liquid: but even in the effort he felt his senses going. The last he was conscious of was mocking laugh.
 But the entrance of Jim, dragging Braine after him. shocked all the ban ter out of the countess. She turned and rushed madly for the stairs, with out having the least idea how she was to manage an escape from the upper stories. She had thought Braine free. As she flew up the steps all the past returned. all her warnings to that stub l DoTu Uldu. HIS WAS the tuu Russia! The horrors of the cold and the deadly damps of the mines forever,
 Jim. still holding the battered con spirator. watched her flight in amaze ment. He could not understand-till he pushed Braine into the library and the vanishing odor assailed his nos trils. What these fumes were he nev- CT knew. but they proved to be transi- tory. Five minutes sufliced to bring all back to their senses. For the while they forgot Olga.
 This man is mine" said Servan. nodding toward Braine.
 Hes yours without charge" said Jim.
 I'm an American citizen" said Braine, who. realizing what the fu- ture held. readily preferred long prison term in America to the horrors | of Russian exile.