Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-01-12

''How about my villa at Naples?
Properly looked after theae he will he
safe enough"
"Of course said Simms, that will
mean he will always have to be there
always"
'of course. always Dyou think now
] have got him In safety | will let him
out?''
Simms sighed. The business was
drifting into very dangerous waters. He
knew for a matter of fact and also by
intuition that Jones was Jones and that
Rochester was dead and his unfortunate
position was like this:
/. If Jones escaped from Hoover's I'M
soothed and furious he might find his
way to the American consul, or. horror!
to some newspaper office. Then the
band would begin to play.
2. If Jones were transferred on board
the dukes yacht and sequestrated, the
matter at once became criminal, and
distress and dread lest the agile Jones
should break free stood before him like
nightmare.
8. 1t was impossible to make the duke
believe that Jones was Jones and that
Rochester was dead.
The only thing to be done was to re-
lease Jones, soothe him, bride him and
implore of him to get back to America
as quick as possible.
This being clear before the mind OF
Simms, he at once proceeded to act
ut is not 30 much the question of your
letting him out" he said, "as OF his
escaping And now must say this. My
Professional reputation is at stake and
must ask YOU to come with me to Cur
zon street and put the whole matter
before the family. l wish to have a full
consultation"
The duke demurred for moment.
Then he agreed and the two men left
the club. ~
At Curzon street they found the dowa-
ger countess and Venetia Birdbrook
about ito retire for the night. Teresa,
Countess OF Rochester. had already re-
tired. and, though invited to the confer
ence. refused to leave her room.
Then, in the drawing room with
sclosed- doors, Simms. relying on the In
telligences Of the women as support,
began, for the second time, his tale.
He convinced the women, and by
Z o'clock in thesmorning, still standing by
his guns after the, fashion OF the de-
fendexs Of lBundlecund, the duke had to
/ confess that he had no more ammu-
milton. Surrendered in fact
"Bnt. whatsfa to be done?" asked the
distracted mother OF the defunct.
What Win this terrible man do If we
"Dos. siaoutad the duke. rDo-why
the impostor. may well ask what will
we do. to him.
'.Was can do nothing said Venetia.
.'Howscan wsf How can we expose all
this hef0res tina azwants--and the pub
lie? n Ii all tontfrely Teresa's fault If
she had treated Arthur properly none
OF this would ever have happened. She
laughed and made light Of his wicked
ness, She"
Quite So" said slmms, "hut, my
dear lady, what we have to think
at now Is the man, Jones' We must
remember that while being an ex-
tremely astute person, inasmuch as
he recovered for you that large prop
4 erty krom the man Mullhausen, he
seems honest. Indeed. yes. 1t is quite
evident that he is honest. would
suggest his release tomorrow and the
+ rendering to him Of an adequate sum,
say 1000 pounds. on the condition
that he re4tfe8 TO the states. Then,
later. wet caaas think of some means
to aoinpnks for the demise OF the late
Earl siOk Hoeheater' or simply leave
1t thnt - haA disA ppearcd."
This TssG - this weird conclave
remaAan u81aNnrted. 6amms, however,
carry4ng.A3g'Du1nka and departing next
day, nIetss hnStfus asen his patients.
for Andhnlrnyl -snsNaA. where he ar
ris edsslAtp u, 49, af4nrnoon.
!, When the htSsd ny that carried him
from Sandbourne station arrived at
the Hoover establishment. It found
tho gate wide open, ana At the gate.
one OF the attendAnts standing In
an expectant attitude glancing up
end down the road as though he were
looking for something, or waiting for
somebody. 49, fsesN