Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-06-17
THE
SECRET
HOUSE
Author Of 1.-THE Clue OF the
Twisted Candle" kate Plus
TO-" 1.-THE Man Who
Knew" etc.
BY
EDGAR WALLACE

1.-TWO of those three days were
dream days for Frank Doughton; he
could not believe 1t possible that such
"a fortune could be his. But with his
JOY there ran the knowledge that he
was marrying q woman who had no
desire for such O union.
But she would learn to love him;
50 he promised himself In his opti-
mism and the assurance of his own
love. He had unbounded faith in
himself, and was working hard In
these days, not only upon his stories.
but upon the clue which the discovery
OF the belated letter afforded him.
He had carefully gone thru the parish
list to discover the Armies of the past
fifty years. In this he was somewhat
handicapped by the fact that there
must have been hundreds OF Armies
who enjoyed no separate existence.
married women who had no property
qualification to appear on rate
perhaps employed that as pet
name, instead of the name with which
they had been christened.
He had one or two clues and was
following these industriously. For
the moment, however, he must drop
this work and concentrate his mind
upon the tremendous and remarkable
business which his coming marriage
involved. He had a series Of articles
to write for the Monitor, and he ap-
piled himself fcverishly to this work.
II was two nights before his mar
riaBe that he carried the last of his
work to the great newspaper office
on the Thames Embankment and de-
livered his manuscript in person to
the editor.
That smiling man offered his con-
gratulations to the embarrassed
youth.
Il suppose we shall not be looking
for any articles from you for quite
| q long time" he said, at parting.
Il hope 3d." said the other. II do
not see why / should starve because
I am married. My wife will be a very
rich woman.'f he said quietly, but
| so far as I am concerned that will
make no difference: do not intend
taking one penny of her fortune"
The Journalist clapped him on the
shoulder.
/ Good lad" he snid. approvtnEly
| 'the man who lives on his wifes In
come 10 a man, who has ceased to
i've"
THAT sounds like an epigram,'
1 smiled Frank.
II He looked at his watch as he de-
Iscended the stairs. 1t was nine
1 o'clock and he had not dined: he
would go up to an eating house In
Soho and have his frugal meal be-
fore he retired for the night. He had
i had a heavy day. and a heavier day
/ threatened on the morrow. Outside
the newspaper office was a hand
some new car, its lacquer work shin
! ing In the electric light. Frank was
passing when the Chauffeur called him
/ Excuse me. sir" he said, touchine
his cap. ARE you Mr.. Frank Dough.
toni"
j THAT Is my name said Frank, ii
surprise. for he did not recognize the
man.
| nave been asked to call and pick
you UP. sir"
1 Pick me up?" asked the astonishee
Frank-'by whom?"
by Sir George Frederick" said the
man, respectfully.
Frank new the name OF the mem
Der of Parliament and puzzled hi,
brains as to whether he had ever met
him.
"But what does Sir George wan,
with me?" he asked.
He wanted five minutes CONVEX.
sation with you, SIR, said the man
Itwould have been ehurlish to have
refused the members request: be.
sides, the errand would take hin
partly on his way. He opened the
door of the landaulet and stepped in
and as the door swung to behind him
he found hel was not alone in the car
What is the" he began, wher
a powerful hand gripped his throat
and he was swung backward on the
padded seat as the car moved slowl,
! forward and, gathering speed as ii
went, flew along the Thames EN-.
bankment with its prisoner.
L . .