The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-06-09

 thought I would put it off till next day and go to a hotel for the night.
 My irritation lasted through dinner which I had at a restaurant in Jermyn street I was no longer hungry ana let several courses pass untasted drank the best part of a bottle or Bur- eundy, but it did nothing to cheer me. An abominable restlessness had taken possession of me.
 Here was l. a very ordinary fellow with no particular brains, and yet l was convinced that somehow was needed to help this business through that without me it would all go to b1azes. I told myself it was sheer silly conceit, that four Or five or the cIeverest people living, with all the might of the British empire at the1r back had the job in hand
 Yet couldn't be convinced. Itseem- ed as if a voice kept speaking in my ear. telling me to be up and doing or I would never speak again.
 The upshot v7.s that about half past I made up my mind to go to Queen Anne's gate. Very likely l would not be admitted, but it would ease my con- science to try.
 I walked down Jermyn street and at the corner of Duke street passed group of young men, They were in evening dress, had been dining some where and were going on to a music hall. One of them was MT. Lancelot Brown.
 He saw me and stopped short.
 "By God, the murdererr' he exclaim- ed. Here, you fellows, hold him! That's Hannay, the man who did the Portland place murder! He gr1pped 4T>- o&H4 1rr xx7f7- ed around.
 wasn't looking for any trouble, but my ill temper made me play the fool. A policeman came up, and I should have told him the truth and, if he didn't believe it, demanded to be taken to Scotland Yard or, for that matter, to the nearest police station. But a delay at that moment seemed to be unendurable, and the sight of Lancie's imbecile face was more than could bear. I let out with my left and had the satisfaction of seeing him measure his length in the gutter.
 Then began an unholy row. They were all on me at once and the police man took me in the rear. got in one 1 or two good blows, for I think with fair play could have licked the lot of them, but the policeman pinned me be- hind, and one of them got his fingers l on my throat.
 1 Through a black cloud of rage heard the officer of the law asking what was the matter, and Lancie, be- tween his broken teeth, declaring that I was Hannay. the murderer.
 'tOh, hang it a11I'' cried. Make the fellow shut up! I advise you to leave me alone, constable. Scotland Yard knows all about me, and you'll get a l proper wigging if you interfere with me-
 tfYou've got to come along of me young man." said the policeman. "I | saw you strike that gentleman crool ard You began it, too, for he wasn't doing nothing. I seen you. Best go l quietly or I'll have to fix you up.' Exasperation and an overwhelming 1 sense that at no cost must delay gave me the strength of a bull elephant. fairly wrenched the constable off his i feet, foored the man who was gripping | my collar and set off at my best pace down Dyke street. I heard a whistle being blown and the rush of men be l hind me.
 I have very fair turn of speed, and that night I had wings. In a jiffy was in Pail Mall and had turned down toward St. James park. lodged the policeman at the Palace gate, dived through press of carriages at the en trance to the mall and was making fol
 the bridge before my pursuers had
 crossed the roadway.
 In the open ways of the park I put
 on a squirt. Happily there were few people about and no one tried to stoI me. I was stalking all on getting tc } Queen Anne's gate
 When I entered that quiet thorough l fare it seemed deserted. Sir Walters
 house was in the narrow part, an( outside it three or four motorcars were
 drawn up. I s1ackened speed some yards off and walked briskly up to tht door.
 Il If the butler refused me admission l or if he even delayed to open the doc I was done.
 He didn't delay. I had scarcely runi before the door opened. ] q must see Sir Walter" I panted 2 teMy business is desperately impor l tant."
 That butler was a great man. With out moving a muscle he held the doc 3 open and then shut 1t behind me. "Si
 Walter is engaged, sir, and I hay t orders to admit no one. Perhaps yo
 will wait''
 The house was of the old fashione U kind, with a wide hall and rooms O both sides of 1t. At the far end wa e an a1cove with a telephone and a COL g ple of chairs, and there the butler O. fered me a seat.
 1T "See here,'' I whispered. "There e trouble about and I'm in it. But Si $ Walter knows and I'm working fC
 him. If any one comes and asks if T. am here tell him 1ie." IS He nodded, and presently there WE 10 a noise of voices in the street and II furious ringing at the bell. I nevt o admired a man more than that butle
 He opened the door and with a fac .- !. like graven image waited to be que II | toned