The Washington times., 1919-04-25
By ROBERT w. CHAMBERS


pointed 1t shakily at the man who
had fallen backward over the
chain.
Jump he painted sJump
quick"
The man needed no other warn
ing he opened the trap. scrambled
and Wriggled down the mail-ear
step. and was on the train like a
snake from a sack.
The other man, bloody and ghast-
y white. crept under the chain
after his companion He was q
well-buIit, gOOd-iooking man OF
forty, with blue eyes and a golden
beard az over blood He seemed
sick from the terrific blow dealt
him: but as the train had almost
stopped. Neeland pushed him on
with the nat OF his foot
A DlsheVened YIetOE.
Drsnched in persplration, dis
hcyeIIed. bruised. he slammed both
traps and ran back into the dark
corridor, and met IIse Dumont
coming out OF his stateroOm carry
ing the olive-WoOd box
His appearance appeared to stupe-
~ her: he took the box from her
without resistance, and, pushing
her back into the staterOon, lock
ed the door.
Then, stiTl sayagely excited, and
the hot blood OF battle still seeth-
ing In his veins. he stood staring
yickedly into her dazed eyes. the
automatic pistol hanging from his
right fist.
But after q few moments some
thing in her naive astonishment-
he- amazement to see him alive
and standing there before her-ap-
peaIed TO him as intensely Iudi-
crOus; he dropped on the edge OF
the bed and burst into laughter un-
controlled.
'-Scheherazade. Oh. Scheherazade!'
he said. weak with laughter, 'if
you could only see your facet II
you could only see it my dear
child. It's too funny to be true!
It's too funny to be a real face!
Oh. dear, III die IL / laugh any
more. You'll assassinate me with
your face"
She seated herself on the lounge
opposite. still gazing bIanl<ly at
him in his uncomfortable mirth.
After a while he put back
the automatic into his breast
pocket, took or coat and waistcoat,
without paying the slightest heed
to her or to convention; opened his
own suitcase. selected a fresh shirt,
tie, and collar, and, taking with him
his coat and the olive-Wood hox,
went into the little Washroom-
He scarcely expected to hnd her
there when he emerged, cooled and
refreshed; but she was stil there,
seated aS he had left her on the
lounge.
II wanted TO ask you she said
in low voice, did you kill them?'
The Way Of the IrIah.
"SSt at al, Schehe-azade," he re-
piled gaiiy. '1The Irish don't Kill;
all Fist and blsckthorn. my pretty
"How-did you do it?'
We'll, 1 got tired having q ham
fsted Dutchman paving me and
closing my mouth with his big splay
fingers. So asked him to slide
overheard and showed his friend
after him"
Did you shoot them
NO, I tell you" he said disgust
edly. Il hadn't a chance In hot
blood. and I couldn't do il in cold
No. ScheheraEade. didn't shoot I
pulled a gun for dramatic effect,
that's all"
After a silence she asked him in
a low voice what he intended to do
with her.
do? Nothing. Chat affabIy with
you until we reach town, IL you
don't mind. Nothing more violent
than that, Scheherazadc-"
The girl, sitting sideways on the
sofa, leaned her head against the
velvet cCrner as though very tired.
Her small hands lay in her lap list
lessly. palms uptuTned.
Are you really tired:" he asked.
Yes, "A little"
He took the two pillows from his
bed and placed them on the sofa.
You may lie down /: ron Ike,
ScheheraZade."
Won't you need them"
"SUuburst Of my soul, il I pillow
ny head on anything while you aEe
in the vicinity. it will be on that
oliye-woOd box"
Faint Smile Crosses Face.
For the first time the fAinfest
trace OF a smile touched her lips.
She turned, settled the pillows to
her liking. and stretched out her
supple figure on the sofa with a
slight sigh.
Shall I talk to you, ScheherS-
zade, or let you snuggie into the
chaste arms of Morpheus?"
Il can't sleep
IT'S a talk-fest, then:
Il am listening
Then, were the two recent gen
tleruen who who rudely pounced
upon me the same gentlemen who
so cheerfully chased me in an auto
mobile when you made red hre2'
Yes"
''I was betting on it Nice-loOie-
ing mantle one with the classical
map and the golden Frick.'
She said nothing.
"Scheherazade, he continued with
smiling malice, do you realize that
you are both ornamental and
young? Why so young and murder
Gus, fair houri? Why delight in
manslauShter in any degree? Why
cultivate assault and battery? Why
swipe the property OF othersF
She closed her eyes on the pill
low, but, "a he remained silent.
presently opened them again
Il asked them not to hurt you"
she said irrelevantly.
who? Oh, your strenuous friends
with the footpad technique? Well
they ooeyed you willingly"
Did they hurt yOu?"