Tombstone epitaph., 1918-06-30

You Hypnotixed Me Perhaps." was not far of now; but that was the risk he had been ready to run. and on | the instant he was called upon to face 1t. From behind Fitzgerald the other | man would have taken the chance and | fired. but someone knocked up his arm (nO one but Christopher saw that 1t was a yelled abbess), and Lord Arrow- dale, as Louis XIV. alert and grave enough now, took advantage of the fel- lows brief confusion to seize the re- | voiver from behind. With that Fitzgerald burst into a loud laugh and tucked his weapon iD | his belt. Don't be frightened, any body. and spoil sport" he cried. his voice ringing with laughter. Then, handsome and gallant in his slouch hat. he ran and knelt at Undine's feet. calling his comrades to follow. Our leather pouches and all that in them is," he exclaimed. fin exchange for the prize. fair lady,"
 And Miss van Bouten took of her mask also, smiling and beautiful, though a little pale.
 "Shall he have the prize. my fricndsi" she cried aloud. And the company, unmasking. an- | swered with many voices that the prize must belong to the highwayman.
 Its to be put to the vote. you know. at supper" she said.
 Fitzgerald and his friend, having given up their bags of spoil to their hostess, rose from their knees.
 Then Fitzgerald came to where Race still stood by the door. Everyone was listening. but ali he had to say was to thank Christopher for his dramatic conception of his part"
 "Your one slight mistake," he fn- ished. "has proved a blessing in dis guise. for 1t enables me also to change my mind at the last minute. I and my friends will stay to supper and hear our fate-in the matter of the blue diamond. You are free to do as you choose"
 T must be getting back to town"
 with your car? Very well; we will meet later.'
 Fitzgerald was the hero of the occa- sion; and ose of the young men of Miss Dauvray's party presently slipped away unnoticed. Perhaps two others did the Christopher did not | know. But when he reached Scarlet Runner, to his intense surprise there sat Miss Dauvray in the seat next the drivers.
 "Will you take me homeY' she asked
 "With pleasure" he said.
 And quicklyT
 eff you wish"
 They started, and for . few mo- nents neither spoke. Then Christopher asked: Did do the thing you want ed!"
 "Yes," she said T thought you would do it."
 You hypnotized me. perhaps. But was 1t a game. or"
 "Oh, a game. if you like. But ter nble game. l would have given my life to stop 1t, or-yours. You've saved both. can live now, I think. If he wins the prize he'll let me alone for awhile. But if he'd succeeded tonight IEcouldn't have borne 1t. What would there have been for mel Only to dis appear, as he meant to do, or-disap- pear ia another way, . quieter way. I should have chosen that. I'm so very tired, you see"
 Hired of what?" Christopher ques- toned her almost fercely. "Of playing cat's-paw to him. I'm coward. I'm horribly afraid of ldm. He could ruin me. I've helped him sev- eral tinaes-in country houses whers I've beel staying" "Why?"
 "Oh, it all began with the most aw- full losses at bridge, and hundred out side debts to drive me half mad. Once |% was mad then, l think-I cheated. F1tg saw. and saved me, for-this kind of thing. He's in awful straits too. But the blue diamond will save him, If he gets 1t. For your sake hope hs win, as for mine." (END OF THIRD EPISODR)