Evening star., 1919-03-09


1T is an interesting plot" said West
speaking calmly but realizing his dan
ger.
Worked out in detail" was the an
swer. Il don't know whether you have
,.tumbled to the fact that these are not
my rooms. They are just hired for this
purposed by the syndicate There Is no
one in the shop below; tomorrow there
will be no one in these rooms, either"
No one alive. you mean," said West.
He knew he was in desperate strait,
but he could lose nothing by facing the
peril courageousiy. "fhere is one thing
! should like to know, Lauderdale.
You are evidently convinced that | had
no suspicion Of you-
Il am dead sure OF that or YOU
wouldn't have entered the trap 50
easily
Then why should you be so anxious
TO make an end of me? 1t cannot be
because happen TO be an American"
We're You not instrumental in
bringing a E'illigan to the gallows?
This is the payment. J haven't a
shadow of regret. ] go to supper:
you---
"Ah. speeculation on that point puz-
zles you" said West Il am glad
have the full explanation In eA-
change ! will give YOU one piece Of
advice, Don't 60 to whitehall tonor-
row: you will regret it If you do"
BluH to the last
No" said West. "If you are foolish
enough to go. beware of the man with
the carnation."
oh, go to the devil"
Il hope to take another road" was
the quiet retort
.Lauderdale went out, and as he did
so one Of the men Went quickly to-
ward the door to prevent West maxi
ing an attempt at escape The French
man with the packet still in his hand
stood by the table.
You are no coward, I'm sure Mr..
West l regret that your death is nee
essary. Unfortunately 1 have no alter
native l am acting under iustruc-
tions. The interests of the syndicate
must be considered, and the promise
given to Mr.. Lauderdale is binding
Your death is part of the payment for
He produced a revolver and exam
ined 1t.
You evidently trust Mr. LAUDER
DALE, ,s,id9,, said West 49,,
very useful"
II fancy the thought of meeting a
man with a carnation tomorrow VIII
give him an uneasy night"
West fervently hoped 80. Furious
with himself for being so easily trap
ped, he had tried to frighten his trap
per. There was no such person as
the man with carnation. He wished
there was The bluff was poor sat
lsfaction, even If 1t did make Lauder
dale uneasy.
u think not" said the Frenchmsn.
He seems to have beaten YOU alto
gether. am rather surprised.
thought you were a much more diff
cult man to deal with. Your bluff
was poor satisfaction. even if il did
make I.auderdale uneasy
think not" said<the Frenchman.
He seems to have beaten YOU alto
gether. am rather surprised.
thought you were much more ditf-
cult man to deal with, Your bluff
is mat what you call twill not
make him afraid of you"
But ii may help to make him afraid
of you" said West
cot me?''
Il suppose the syndicate would he
fairly made il 1t paid money for worth
less paperg'
1T hasn't"
Lauderdale has beaten me or should
not be here, but he has beaten YOU 100,
| fancy. He has your money YOU have
that envelope. You have not opened il
to see you have got what you paid for
ltt'e more bluff, ELI, NJ West? 1t
does not move me. ! know by the off,
cial mark and seals what ] have bought
moment Mr.. Iauderdale showed it TO
YOU was listening and heard from
the room yonder."
Monsieur, / would remind you OF
something else Lauderdale said. The
sham pocket had deceived the war Office.
l should advise you to break the seals
ana examine those papers. III you know
where Lauderdale is suppjng tonight
you may have time to catch him be-
fore he has finished and get your
money back
The Frenchman hesitated Ee looE ed
keenly at West, glanced sharply at his
companions to assure himself they
were on the alert to prevent trickery
and escape. then he broke the seals.
He was deliberate as he drew the pa
pers from the envelope. He opened
the first slowly, the others quickly,
and let the lot fan on to the table.
They were all blank paper
"Tricked" he cried, with a savage
oath.
Both of u.s." said West quickly.
The man standing by the door had
started forward pace. His attitude
had crouch in 1t, like an animal
ready TO spring. Lauderdale could be
dealt with later: it did not alter the
purpose concerning the man who was
in their power now, 1t merely empha-
sized the need for quick action. The
man was ready, expecting the French
mans signal.
Valentine West knew his peril The
mans attitude convinced him that
murder was intended to he silent,
strangulation or the knife. 1t had not
been intended to run the risk of inter
,uPtion from the street by using fire
arms. These two were no more than
hired assassins. experts at their work.
He knew a false move must prove