Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-06-22
THE
SECRET
HOUSE
Author of "The Clue of the
Twisted Candle" Kate Plus
TO-" 1.-THE Man Who
Knew" etc.
BY
EDGAR WALLACE


tavo's hands practically, could not
strike back at him; the cards were
q all in favor of the Count. He had
pounds as q result Of his work in
! London, and he had frantic and ON
irous letters from DR.. Fall demanding
that the house" share should be for
warded without delay. The demands
PUltavo had treated with contempt.
He felt master Of the situation. mas
much that he had placed the major
portion OF the balance OF money in
hand, other than that which had ac-
( tually been supplied by Harrington, to
his own credit in Paris bank. He
was prepared for all eventualities.
and here he was promised the choic-
est Of all his pickngs-for the bleed
ing OF the Duke Of Ambury would set
seal upon previous accomplish
ments.
E. He rang q bell, and man came
letting himself into the room with a
key. He was an Italian with pecu-
liarly repulsive face; one OF the small
fry whom Poltavo had employed from
time to time to do such work as was
beneath his own dignity, or which
promised an unnecessary measure of
danger In its performance.
Carlos" said Poltavo. speaking in
( Italian, Antonio has been arrested.
and has been taken to Calais by the
police"
'That know signor," nodded the
man. HE is very fortunate. was
afraid when the news came that he
would be put into prison."
poltavo smiled.
1.-THE ways Of the English police
are beyond understanding" he said
lightly. Here was our Antonio anx-
iouB and willing to kill the head of
the detective department, and they
release him! Is it not madness? At
any rate, Antonio will not be coming
beck, because tho they are mad, the
police are not so foolish as to allow
him to land again. have telegraphed
to our friend to go on to Paris and
await me. and here let me say, Car
los,"-he tapped the table with the
end OF his penholder,-''that If you
by ill-fortune should ever find your
self in the same position of our adj
mirable and worthy Antonio, beg
that you will not send me kilograms"
"You may be assured, excellent
signor," said the man with q little
grin, "that i shall not send you tele-
grams, for cannot write"
IA splendid deficiency" said Pol
tavo.
He took UP q letter from the table.
You will deliver this to a person
who will meet you at the corner of
Branson Square. The exact position
have already Indicated to you.'
The man nodded.
This person will give you in ex-
change another letter. You will not
return to me but you will go to your
brothers house in Great Saffron
street, and outside that house you
will see man standing who wears q
long oyercoat. You will brush past
him, and in 30 doing you wal drop
this envelope into his pocket-you
understand"
''Excellency, / quite understand"
said the man.
Go, and God be with you" said
4 the pious PoltAvo. sending forth
message which he believed would
bring CONSERVATION and terror into
the bosom OF the Duke OF Ambury.
It was late that night when Carlos
Freggettt came down steep decliv-
tity into Great Saffron street and
walked swiftly along that deserted
thoroughfare till he came to his
brothers house. His brother was q
respectable artisan, engaged by an
asphalt company in London Near
the narrow door Of tho tenement In
which his relative lived, q stranger
stood, apparently awaiting someone.
Carlos. in passing him. stumbled and
apologized under his breath. At that
moment he slipped the letter into the
others pocket. His quick eyes noted
the identity of the stranger. It was
PoltavO. No one else was in the
street and In the dim light even the
keenest eyes would not have seen the
transfer OF the envelope. Poltavo
strolled to the end Of tho thorough.
fare, jumped into the taxicab which
was waiting and reached his house
after various transferences Of cabs
without encountering any OF T. BIS
,watchful agents. In his room he op-
oned the letter with an anxious air
Would Ambury agree to the exorbi-
tant sum he had demanded? And II
he did not agree, what sum would he,
be prepared to pay as the price of
the blackmailers silence? The first
words brought relief to him.
7 am willing to pay the sum you
AJAX. altho think you are guilty Of
Z dastardly crime" read the letter,
Nand since you seem to suspect my
bona fides, I shall choose, as an agent
to carry the money to you. AN old
laborer on my Lancashire estate who
VIII be quite ignorant Of the bust
ness In hand, and who will give you
the money in exchange for the mar
riaSe certificate. II you will choose
q rendezvous which fulfills all your
requirements as to privacy, I will
undertake to have my man on the
spot ct the time you Wish"
There was a triumphant smile on
Poltavo:s face as he folded the let
ter.
Nov" he said half aloud, now,
my friend Harrington, you and will
part company. You have ceased to
be OF any service to me; your value
has decreased in the same proper
ton AZ my desire for freedom has
advanced. Fifty thousand pounds!"
he repeated admiringly. "Ernesto,
you have happy time before you.
All the continent Of Europe is at
your feet, and this sad England Is
behind you. Congratulations, amigo"
The question of the rendezvous was
an important one. Tho he read into