Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-08-12

ed" remarked Chris, quietly, you'd have
had no option.
This was bringing the war home with
"A vengeance. Pennicuik stared at Brent,
hardly able to believe him.
Good God, sir, you are joking. You
don't mean
"They were worried about you" replied
Chris. From your place on the Cliff you
might very easily have seen the flame and
given the alarm before the house was
properly alight. That would not have
suited their book at all SO 1t was ar
ranged that Fritz should-make sure of
your silence A little effort with knife,
l take it,
Murder. sheer murder gasped Percy.
They will still attempt it, went on
Chris. 80 you must keep your eyes open,
and IL anybody fails to answer your chai-
lenge you must shoot, and shoot to KILL
You are crack shot. they tell me-.
Pennicuik turned to go. then came
back re
Look here, sir. l simply don't know
how to thank you. he said. awkwardly.
Don't thank me; you run along to your
place and see that you keep your eyes ana
ears well open. and good luck to YOU you,
saluted before he went out at the win
dow.
Chris stood still for a moment. He be-
gan to search in his pockets. then look
of satisfa ction came over his face as his
fingers touched what they sought. He
drew out his pipe, filed it with care.
lit it. and drew two or three puffs with
deep contentment. Then. pipe in mouth,
he went round the room switching OF the
lights. and went out, shutting the door
after him.
The whole household had apparently
gone to bed. Only few lights showed
in the top story windows. Presently a
faint CLEAN sprang to life In the sitting
room. 1t was very faint Tor II only
came from the small electric movapie
lamp which stood on side table. 1t
was turned up by Charles Sanderson-
Heowas accompanied by Fritz. who was
carrying small black box. Put 1t
down carefully on the table and see
that the curtains are drawn across the
window" Charles ordered him. Then
when Fritz had obeyed, Are they all
in bed?"
every vone, Fritz assured him.
Good How about this fellow on the
cliffs? It's our danger spot in more
ways than one You think you can
make quite sure of him? There must
be no bungling. mind.
A slow smile spread over Fritzs cher
ubic countenance. and there came a
CLEAN that was not pleasant into his
usually bland little eyes. Again he
made that gesture with his phe-
nomenafly long thumb. Il will make
my fathers farm l used always to Kill
the pegs How then should 1 not
know how to kill this peeg?"
No noise. mind warned Charles.
Pigs are apt to saueal. you know;
Fritz permitted himself slight
laugh. This one will not squeal. he viii
no time have. Just dat" and he stabbed
the air with his thumb.
Charles nodded. That's right Are
the others ready?
Il tink so. sir l tink l hear them
coming.
Charles switched off the light that
when the door opened the shapes OF
Mrs Sanderson and fraulein muffied In
big coats and wells could be very dimly
seen against the faint light in the
passage.
Il don't think he's here" said Mrs.
Sanderson and in the darkness all the
sounded painfully distinct.
II expect he is" said fraulein placid
~ Charles, you are there. are you
mott"
I'm here. all right. Come in and
shut the door and I'll switch on the
light again.
What start you gave me. Charlesi
murmured Mrs. Sanderson. and she sat
down rather heavily in the armchair.
The light revealed her face as blotchy.
not with terror. for of personal cour-
age she had all that was required by
her calling. but with some inner fear
of the soul which was making itself
felt now.
Sorry, mater" replied Charles. but
one has to be careful. l thought 1t
might be some one else. Is everything
ready"
Fraulein nodded. Everything. Not
one item has been left to chance. and
everything is fitting in perfectly
Where is Mrs. Lee?
She is in the car waiting for US al
the bend of the drive. She has been
too wonderful. this new sister of ours
So full of thought, SO quick. The escort
is there and armed. They leave us in
London but she comes on with US
She has all her papers made out as an
who is determined to open up a closed
section of the northern country to the
use of its common inhabitants by a