The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1920-11-12

from right to left; only half dozen
children were playing in the gutter.
II shoot if you attempt to call for
help" he said. 'sYou give me your
word to keep quiet? 1t is best for you
and for me-"
1t was such relief to be in the
freedom, that 1 gave my word, per-
haps with mental reservation that
under certain conditions breaking
oath with such a man as this would
not be serious crime. We hurried
out of the street side by side, and
were presently in busy thoroughfare,
but in a part of the city ! knew moth
| ing about. Here the bully hailed a
passing taxi into which he hurried me
after telling the man to go to the Rue
de Rivoli
| "Ah, that was very good" he said,
spreading himself. Before we arrive
at the Rue de Rivoli deliver you to
friend of mine. He loks after you
until I come tonight. No it is not my
friend with the knife, but this one is
very important-as important as I
am. You will do we'll not to annoy
him."
| He was silent for the rest of the
| journey Now his one desire seemed
to be to get rid of me. Presently he
spoke to the driver, and from the cafe
before which we stopped man came
to the door of the taxi
Cali good so far" said the bully to
him. Here is your prisoner. Shoot
him if he is troublesome"
ooh, that won't be necessary, I'm
sure" laughed the other. "Mr. Yates
will credit me with wishing him no
harm"
Settle that between you," said the
bully, and drove away. did not hear
where the driver was told to CO.
My new gaoler was very different
type of man, a gentleman and an
Englishman.
II propose taking you to a small
hotel where I am staying" he said.
A bath might suit you, and something
to eat. 1 am hungry, too. You are
later than expected. I do not want
to play the role of policeman, although
for the time being that is the work
thrust on me. May take it you will
trust me and not cause trouble? Our
friend will join us later"
"Friend!" exclaimed. 'Do you re-
fer to the fellow who has gone off in
that taxi?"
"Well, neither he nor I are quite as
Jabd as some you have been in touch
with during the last few hours, are
WEI"
"There are degrees in everything"
"Of course" he laughed, "and
don't mind telling you that this friend
and are playing little game Of our
own which, among other things, ne
cessitates keeping you alive and kick
| ing. Now how about that bath and
i food"
fright. will give no trouble until
after we have discussed the various
degrees in scoundrelism," replied.
Even as I said it 1 thought it was
rather weak to make such a promise,
but there was soemthing attractive in
| this fellow, and it is my disposition
to like to see the end of an adventure.
Besides, there was creed to think of.
| Somehow or other his plans must
have gone wrong, and he had left me
in the lurch. A gang within a gang
had got hold of me now and being my
guard l was no longer such an easy
victim to deal with. By going to the
end of the adventure might find out
far more than Jeremy Screed thought
there was to discover, and this would
be a great score. Not much harm
could happen to me in hotel.
1t was g. small but well appointed
hotel. The bath was good, the food
excellent, and the wine had come from
first-class celler. My companion,
who was known by the name of Grant,
was entertaining, but not word OF
explanation did 1 get out of him He
fenced some of my questions, others
he refused point blank to answer until
his friend came. He said he was not
yet thoroughly acquainted with the
whole business and to speak prema-
| turely might spoil everything.
In the afternoon, while we were
smoking in a small lounge, deserted
for the moment ecept for ourselves,
waiter brought my companion
card.
Continued on Page Three)
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