The Press., 1917-04-26


 estate decline to pay the note on the ground that the transaction is crimi- nal?"
 ''In that case you will not long enjoy your property"
 I had been inclined to think his case very weak; but, considering that he was, or supposed he was, dealing with a girl who would not care to live in ter. TOT of her life, changed my opinion.
 ''But why" asked, interested more and more in his plan, would it not be wiser for you to destroy the will and inherit half the estate as heir-at-lawg
 'SThat question I decline to answer There may be a number of reasons. may know of another will that can not control and which is sure to be produced. My uncle did not trust me and might have put duplicate will in some one's hand to be used in case l captured or disputed the one he had made. I have no knowledge of such a will. I simply state the case to you hypothetically."
 There was no doubt the rascal had thought it all out and had provided for every possible contingency. What was to do? Delay would be as dan gerous to Miss Thurber as to me. l resolved to go with him and take ad- vantage of any favorable circumstance that might arise. So long as he thought I was Miss Thurber had great ad- vantage of him. I had a thick veil on my hat, but in the park did not put it over my face. Later, if obliged to face the light it might avail me.
 accompanied my man to car wait ing without the park. We entered 1t, and he drove away. Presently he stop ped and told me he must blindfold me. After objecting consented, and after that I did not know where we went. When we reached our destination he helped me out of the car and guided me up a few steps into house. When he removed the bandage from my eyes we were standing in furnished room. It was dimly lighted, but I put my hands to my eyes to cover my face, pre- tending that the transition from dark ness to light was painful. Neverthe- less I caught a glimpse of table with writing materials on it in the center of the room.
 When I took my hands from my eyes I turned my face from the light. did not know how well the man knew Miss Thurber, but did not wish him to see my features until I could no longer avoid giving him an opportunity to discover his mistake. Meanwhile he had unlocked a drawer in bureau and taken out a document, which surmis- ed to be the will. What appeared to be a note lay on the table. He was un- folding the document, and surmised intended to hold it up for me to in spect. In another moment he would doubtless call on me to do so and would see my features.
 While his eyes were bent on the dOcu- ment I caught sight of the letters, Last will and testament" printed on it. This was enough for me. I deter mined to risk it's being what wanted. When he turned from the paper to me he looked into the muzzle of my re- vOlver within an inch of his nose.
 Of course he was armed. But what use is a weapon which costs a man his life if he makes motion to use it?''
 Drop that document on the table," l said in my own husky voice.
 Surprise, irritation, horror, were writ ten on his face He dare not disobey. He tossed the will on the table, and I, never taking my eye from his for an instant, picked it up, taking the un- signed note at the same time. Then began to back out of the room. I backed into a hall and out through door, he following me, alert to take ad- vantage of my changing my glance for an instant to draw a weapon. I was obliged to back into the unknown; but, having come over the ground even though blindfolded, I had some idea of it and got safely down the steps, on to the sidewalk and kept on till backed up against an automobile.
 The problem was now to get into it and start it without giving him an Op- portunity to draw and shoot me. I thought it necessary to order him to throw up his hands, enforcing the or der by putting bullet close to his ear. He obeyed readily, and, though I was with my skirts, I tumbled into the car behind the wheel. What I could not do with my feet in starting l did with my right hand, holding the wheel with my left. In this way I got of, but the moment after I turned my face from my enemy a bullet whistled close to my ear. ducked, and before r aIn aTsIu q let guishable in the darkness.
 When returned to the office with the will, for which had paid nothing, great was the surprise of all concerned. Miss Thurber bought the unsigned note of me for $10,O0O, signing it in pay ment. I afterward set myself up in business with the funds.