Evening star., 1918-11-10

Fischer hesitated. Then he turned
away.
II am not sportsman. Mr.. Lut-
chester" he said.
Lutchester brushed away a little
dust from his coat sleeve.
NO" he murmured, II agree with
you. Good morning."
Lutchester walked out into the sun
baked streets, and with his absence
Fischer abandoned his almost unnat-
ural calm. He strobe up and down
the room, fuming with rage. At every
fresh click of the tape machine he
snatched at the printed slip eagerly
and threw 1t away with an oath. No
one took any notice of him. Van Teyl
rushed in and out, telephones changed,
copies Of contracts to add to the small
pile upon the desk. There came a
quiet moment presently. Van Teyl
wiped the perspiration from his fore
head and drank a tumblerful of wa
ter.
you go into this SO big? You must
have known there was always the
risk of your wireless report beating
it up little too tall"
1T wasn't our report at all that
went by" Fischer confessed gloomily.
TT was the English admiralty an
nouncement that did it. Can you con-
ceive," he went on, striking the table
with his fist, Yany nation at war, with
grain of common sense or an ounce
of self-respect, issuing a statement
like that?--an apology for defeat
Say the thing was a drawn battle.
which is about what it really was. 1t
didn't suit the Germans to fight 1t to
a finish. They'd everything to lose
and little to gain. SO in effect they
left the Britishers there and passed
hoo oh ni
far as regards reports, that was vic
tory enough for any one except those
muddle -headed civilians at WHITEHALL
They deceived the world with that in
fernal bulletin, and incidentally me.
1t was on that statement / gave you
my orders, not on ours"
IT'S damned unfortunate busi-
ness!S Van Teyl sighed. you're only
half way out yet, and it's cost you
nearly three hundred thousand"
A dull spot Of purple color burned
in Fischer's cheeks. His upper lip
was drawn in, his appearance for
moment was repulsive.
ut isn't the money I mind," he NUT
tered. ITS >Lutchester."
Van TeyY was discreetly silent.
Fischer seemed 70 read his thoughts.
"a wonderful fellow, your friend
Lutchester." he sneered. IAN ad-
mirable Crichton of finance and di-
plomacy and love-making, eh? But
the end isn't just yet. l promise you
going to marry your sister,
I'D a damned sight sooner she
married him than you" Van Teyl
blazed out.
Fischer was taken aback. He had
held for so long the upper hand with
he had forgotten that circumstances
were changed between them. Van
Teyl rose to his feet. The bonds of
the last few months had snapped.
He spoke like free man.
Look here. Fischer he said.
"you've had me practically in your
power for the best part of year. but
now I'm through with you. I'm out of
YOUR debt, no thanks to you, and I'm
going to keep out l am working
on your business as hard as though
YOU were my own brother, and I'll
this mess as we'll as ] can, and after
that you can take your damned busi-
ness where you please"
80 that's it, is it?" Fischer scoffed.
Ell? No, don't do that" step
ping quickly backward as Van TeyIs
fist shot out.
'Then keep my sisters name out OF
this conversation" Van Teyl insisted.
III you are wise, you'll clear out al
together. They're at 1t again."
Fischer, however. glanced at the
clock and remained. At the next luil,
he hung down the tape and turned to
his companion.
James," he declared. I'm going to
leave you to it now. Guess 1 said a
little more than ] meant to, but I tell
you / hate that fellow Lutchester. /
hate him just as though I were the
typical German and he were the
typical Britisher. and there was
nothing but sea of hate between us.
Shake hands, Jim"
Van Teyl obeyed without enthusiasm.
Fischer drew a chair to the table and
wrote out a check, which lie passed
across
"Iil drop into the bank and let them
know about this" he said. you can
how the balance stands. I'll wipe it
out by return, whatever it is."
Fischer passed out Of the Offices a
few minutes later. followed bY many
curious eyes. and stepped into his
automobile. A young man who brush
ed against him pushed a note into his
hand. Fischer opened 1t as his car
swung slowly through the traffic:
Guards at all Connecticut factories
doubled. O'Hagan caught last night in
precincts Of small arms factory. Was
taken alive, disobeying orders. Be
careful.
Fischer tore the note into small
pieces. His face was grimmer than
ever as he leaned back amongst the
cushions. There were evil things
awaiting him outside Wall street,
CHAPTER XXXII.
Lutchester breathed the air of WASH
ington and felt almost homesick. The
statelinoSs of the city its sedate and