Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-12-08


thick skinned. yellow, heayy-nosed
The hair of the animal was jet black,
thin. and presented to the eyes of
the gazer a small Disraeli curl upon
the forehead of the owner.
The card announced:
Mr. A. S. vOLEs
LIB. Jermyn Street
Voles himself, and unknown to
himself, announced lot of other
things.
Victor Jones had a sharp instinct
for men, well whetted by experience.
He nodded to the newcomer curtly
and without rising from his chair;
the servant shut the door and the
two men were alone.
Just as dogs whole nature livens
at the smell of a polecat, so did Jones
nature at the sight of Voles. He
felt this man to be an enemy.
.Voles came to the table and placed
his hat upon it. Then he turned,
see If the servant was listening.
He shut the door.
Well" said he, have you got the
money for me?"
might have asked, and with reason,
what money!"
Jones simply said mo"
This simple answer had a wonder
full effect. Voles, about to take a
seat remained standing, clasping the
back of the chair he had chosen.
Then he burst out:
You fooled me yesterday. and gave
me an appointment for today. ]
called; you were out
WAS I?'
''Were you? You said the money
would be here waiting for Newell.
here I am now. I've got cab out
side ready to take it,"
And suppose 1 don't give it to
you?" asked Jones.
We won't suppose any nonsense
like, that" replied Voles. taking his
seat; mot so long as there are po-
tice."
That's true" said the other, I'VE
don't want the police"
You don't" replied Voles. He was
staring at Jones. The Earl of Roch
ester's voice struck him as not quite
the same as usual, more spring in
It and vitality-altered, in fact. BO
ne suspected nothing of the truth.
fPassed as good coin by Voles, Jones
had nothing to fear from any man
or woman in London. for the eye of
yoies was unerring. the ear of Voles
ditto, ditto, the mind of Voles' balanced
IKE q jewelers. scales.
True" said Jones. II don't-Well,
let's talk about this money. Couldn't
you; take half tonight, and half in
weeks time?"
mot me-" replied the other. 81
must have the two thousand tonight,
same as usual"
Jones had the whole case in his
hands now. and he began preparing
the toast on which to put this most
evident blackmailer when cooked
His quick mind had settled every
!hlng. Here was the first obstacle
IN his path; it would have to be de-
stroyed. not surmounted He de-
termined to destroy it. If the worst
game to the worst, if whatever crime
Nochester had committed We're to be
pressed home on him by Volcs. he
would declare everything, prove his
identity by sending for witnesses
from the states, and show Roches
ter's letter. The Matchmaking would
account for Rochester's suicide.
But Jones knew blackmailers. and
ne knew that Voles would never pros
ecute. Rochester must indeed. have
been weak fool not to have grasped
lie forgot that Rochester was probably
Ehilty-that makes all the difference in
the world
you shall have the money" said
ne, but see here, let's make an end
or this. Now let's see. How much
nave you had already"
only eight" said Voles you know
that we'll enough; why ask?"
Eight thousand" murmured the
other; you have had eight thousand
pounds out of me. and the two tonight
VIII make ten. Seems good price
for few papers" He made the shot
on spec. 1t was a bull's-eye.
ON. those papers are worth good