Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-03-11
THE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
A ',cctioe Story by J. S. Fletcher

-ecret they have, and he's followed them
down here to blackmail them. That's
my notion"
sparso thought awhile, pacing up ard
down the river bank.
~ daresay you're right" he said.
Now, what's to be done?'
Breton, too, considered matters,
II wish,' he said at last, "I wish
we could get In there and overhear
Il know that cottage. The only thing
we can do is this--we must catch
Myerst unaware. He's here for no
good. Look herel"
And reaching rourd to his hip pocket
Breton drew out a Browning revolver
and wagged IL in his hand with q smile.
That's useful thing to have,
Spargo," he remarked. II slipped IL
into my pocket the other day, wonder
ing why on earth I did It. Now it'll
come In handy. For anything we know
Myerst may he armed
"Well?" said Spargo.
Come up to the cottage. If things
turn out as I think they will, Myerst,
when he's got what ne wants, will be
off. Now, you shall get where I did
just now, behind that brush, and I'll
station myself in the doorway. You
can report to me, and when Myerst
comes out I'll cover him. Come on
Spargo; it's beginning to get light al
ready"
Breton cautiously led the way along
the river bank, making use of such
cover as the willows and alders afforded.
Together he and Spargo made their way
to the front of the cottage. Arrived at
the door, Breton posted himself in the
porch, motioning to Spargo to creep in
behind the bushes and to look through
the window. And Spargo noiselessl, :,
followed his directions and slightly part
ing the branches which concealed him
looked IL through the uncurtained glass.
The interior into which he looked was
rough and comfortless in the extreme.
There were the bare accessories of q
moorland cottage; rough chairs and
tables, plastered walls. a fishing rod OF
two piled in q corner, some food set
out on side table. At the table in
the middle of the floor the three men
sat. Cardlestone's face was in th'
shadow; Myerst had his back to the
window; old Elphick bending. over the
table was laboriously writing with
shaking. fingers. And Spargo twisted
"Elphick," he said, ''is writing 0
CneCK. MyerSC mas anOtneT CHECK IN ns
hand. Be ready when he gets that
second check l guess he'll be off,"
Breton smiled grimly and nodded. A
moment later Spargo whispered again
"Look out, Breton! He's coming"
Breton drew back into the angle oi
the porch; Spargo quilted his protect
ing bush and took the other angle. Th,
door opened. And they heard Myerst's
voice. threatening, commanding in tone
"Now, remember all I've said! Ant
don't you forget. I've got the whip.
hand Of both of you-the whiphand !!
Then Myerst turned and stepped ou
into the gray light-to find himself con
fronted by an athletic young man whc
held the muzzle of an ugly revolver
within two inches of the bridge of his
nose and in a remarkably firm ant
steady grip. Another glance showed hin
the figure Of a second businesslike look
ing young man at his side, whose at
titude showed a desire to grapple will
him.
"Good morning, Mr.. Myerst," sale
Breton with cold and ironic politeness
"We are glad to meet you SO unex
pectedly. And-J must trouble you t
put up your hands. Quick!'
Myerst made one hurried movement o
his right hand toward his hip, but
sudden growl from Breton made hin
shift it just as quickly above his head