Evening star., 1917-10-07

copyright, 1911. by the Mcclure Newspaper
Syndicate.)
q STOOD in the foyer Of the Astoria
Hotel. About me was the pulsing
stir Of transatlantic life, for the
q Tourist season was now at its height
and I counted myself fortunate IN that
had been able to secure room at this
establishment, always so popular with
American visitors.
Bristol. the tall, military-looklng man
who stood beside me. glanced about MIN
with rather grim smile.
"you ought to be safe enough here, ar
Cavanagh." he said.
"I ought to be safe enough in my own
chambers I replied. wearily- do you
think II told that prosperous New
Yorker who Is buying cigar yonder, FOR
instance. that had been driven from my
chambers by band OF eastern assasslns
founded some time in the eleventh cen
.ur- he would believe it?
~ am certain he wouldn't replied
Bristol II should not have credited II
myself before l was put IN charge OF
this damnable case"
My position at that hour was. IN
truth. an incredible one. The sacred
siipper of Mohammed. which the late
Prof Deeping had looted from FL Medinen
or Mecca or Arrat-l knew not ana careo
not whereby once more In the glass
case at the Antiquarian museum from
which Earl Dexter. the American cracks
man. had stolen 1t. And what was its
history 70 date2 In brief II cons,sied ~
er who had touched the CHASTITY thing
had failed to have his hand myster1ousiy
severed by an unseen asSailant; (2) IN
the assassination of Prof Deeping and the
death OF two Of the pursuing fanatics: go
in ceaseless espionage upon myself tsince.
under Deeping's will. l held the keys OF
the museum case) by weird. murderous
dian OF the Relics" who. with his COM
pany of hashishin. had pursued the slip
per to Europe: by Earl Dexter. and by
beautiful woman, violet-eyed. bewitching.
who aided him In his warning against
English law and eastern deviltry-for
Hassan Of Aleppo and Scotland Yard
alike pursued him.
twas outcast from my own rooms and
compelled, in self-defense. to live amid
the hustle Of the Astoria. So wholly
nonplussed were the police authorities
that they could afford me no protection.
They knew that q group OF scientific
murderers lay hidden In or near to
London: they knew that Earl Dexter
called the Sombrero Man. the foremost
crook Of his day, was also in the me-
tropolis-and they could make no move
were helpless; indeed, as Bristol had
confessed. were hopeless!
Bristol. on the previous day. had un-
earthed a Greek cigar merchant, one
Acepulos. of Moslem persuasion, who
had replaced the slipper In its case (for
q monetary consideration). He had
performed a similar service when the
blood stained thing had first been put
upon exhibition at the museum, and for
a considerable period had disappeared
but quite recently he had returned
again to his Soho shop, in time thus to
earn a second check.
AS Bristol and stood glancing about
the foyer of the hotel. a plain -clothes
officer. whom / knew by sight. came In
and approa ched my companion.
The detective whispered something to
Bristol. and the latter started and
paIed. He turned to me.
"They haven't overlooked him this
time. Mr.. Cavanagh." he said. "Acepu-
los has been found dead In his room
nearly decapitated!'
Bristol started Immediately for Soho
and parted from him In the Strand. he
proceeding westward and eastward
for had occasion that morning to call
at my bank.
Then. at the door of the bank. I found
fresh matter for reflection. The assist
ant manager, Mr.. Colby. was escortine
q lady to the door. As / stood aside. he
walked with her to a handsome car
which waited, and handed her in with
marks of great Difference. She was
heavily veiled and had no more than
q glimpse of her, but she appeared to
be Of middle age and had gray hair and
. very stately manner.
tnl6 nyDelk tAAk vas unAnly 80.