The Washington times., 1917-09-07

hurried 10 the nearest phone booth,
and from there called the standIsh
houne.
By an odd eoincIdence. Il was Tom
Carleton who answered the phone.
He had set out valiGntly enough
for his office, but on the way, be-
coming more and more uneasy about
Pearl. he had decided to come back
and exhort Aunt Matte to lend her
AID in persuading Pearl to be more
circumspect and discreet And he
was IN the midst of his pleading
with the old lady when the phone
rang and she asked him to answer
It
Carslake's Ultimatum.
This Is Richard carslAks speak
Ing" said that gentleman, begin
ming the conversation who are
your
Tom Carleton answered Tona-
"Ah. Mr.. CarIston- Nothing could
be better" smiled CArslaks with sat
iBfaction. Il take pleasure In in
forming you that Miss stAndish IL
once more in my hands The set
ting for the violet diamond IL In the
top drawer of her dresser. II you
want to save the girls life bring
IL to me at the Grand Central sta
ton before three o'clock
Three o'elockr' repeated Tom,
startled
TIL be waiting" added carslaks.
Drop the setting into my side
pocket and do not have me fol-
lowed II do not return to my
people before the clock strikes
three the girl will be done away
with and you will never know what
happened to her!"
"Just q moment" said Tom He
explained to Aunt Matte what Cars
lake had said. and the old woman
was overcome
Tell him ws'u do Il Tell him
wen do anything IL only he will
send Pearl back to usr'
Tom repeated her message to
Carslake, who hung up his receiver.
smiling triumphantly.
But he might not have been 30
pleased had he known that one Of
the High PriestesEs Arabs was in
the next phone booth to his, listen
ing to everything that he said!
Carslake returned to the refuge
and conferred with his men.
Now, boys" he said calmly,
neither lowering his vvoncs on
PEARLS account nor raising II 30
that she could hear. He had deter
mined upon his plans and meant
every word that he said Il am 60
ing to meet Carleton and get the
ring ! want He is to deliver Il to
me in good time so that 8 can be
back here with Il at three.
III ! am not here by three o'clock
precisely. you will know that trick
cry OF some sort has been attempted
ana you will kill the girl want
no Misunderstanding now. II I am
not here BY three. when do come.
want to md her-dead!"
Pearl drew her breath sharply
and stared at this cold-bioodsd
nend. His men merely nodded and
promised obediencs.
-All right" cried Carslaks then.
Take her insideP
Pearl was conducted into the rear
room and there left Mooney, Black
Tony and Dopey Ed remained on
guard in the living room that cut
off all means OF escape, and Cars
lake set out at once for the Grand
Central Station.
In the crowds At that great ter
minh he took up his position and
waited.
Tom Carleton, meanwhile. was
hurryinE downtown, with the set
ting OF the ring in an envelope in
bis Inside pocket He hated the
thought OF meeting Carslake's terms,
but his anxiety for Pearls safety
outweighed all other considerations.
and he meant TO try later on to out
wit the great crook and lawbrsakeF
IN some other fashion.
As he came down the white mar
BILE steps TO the great concourss he
saw CarslAke almost at once, stand
ing idly in one corner. No flash Of
recognition lighted the crooks eyes,
however, as they passed swiftly over
Tom, nor did he turn his head as
Tom dropped the Envelope into his
pocket
A Pleasant Surprise.
For all the sign he gave, one
might have thought that Toms ac-
tion had passed unobserved. But
Tom knew that he had felt the en-
veIope slip in. for he turned at once
and started lsisurely for the exit.
Before ne reached II. however, he
was intercepted, WigEsey Benson,
q successful pickpocket. and once Q
companion In crime OF Carslake'B,
happned to In the station, too. at
that hour and as his eyes rested on
Carslake he dashed forward with
Welcoming hand outstretched.
well, well! This 10 q pleasant
surprise" he cried. shaking Cars
lakes hand