The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-06-26

self-reproaching. I felt 1 had done
very wrong in listening to that man.
The following evening 1 went to John
determined to tell him what I had
done. AS I mounted the steps OF the
house where he lodges. he opened the
door, and 1 saw that he was seeing a
lady out She was in the act of draw
ing down her veil. but I saw her face
clearly. 1t was very lovely. with a
great mass of beautiful red-gold hair
half concealed by the sweep Of her hat.
Her costume left nothing to be desired,
and a necklet of sable was secured by
a magnificent emerald which famed in
the light of the hall electric lamp. AS
she went out she left a delicate per-
fume of verbena. 1 looked at John.
There was light in his eyes which
had never seen there before. That per-
feet vision of red lips, of eyes black IS
jet, Of splendid red-gold hair, appeared
to have dazzled him.
He listened to my story with but
poor attention. He showed anger, but
felt that it was quite half feigned.
Then he said: You have been feeding
on a monstrous lie. But I see that
you will not accept my plain denial. I
cannot do more than deny it, however.
And I won't do more. Go ahead and
prove it against me, If you can.
swear, before you and my Maker. that
| 7 etr IL for vi
any offense whatever. Good God, Janet.
what a thing is this you force me to
swear!'
That was six days ago. Mr.. Tired
ways. Tonight. in twenty minutes
time the appointment 1 made falls due.
1 have spent a week of the most com
plete Indebtedness. 1 know there is
something wrong. I thought Of you
several times, but hardly dared to come
to you with my story. At the last
moment l SUDDENLY made up my mind"
Such was Miss Caseldy's story. Per-
sonally, the only interest it held was in
listening to a nice-looking girls ex-
preston of her trouble. Would Tired
ways plumb for depth in so simple a
narrative? He questioned at once
Can you let me have a picture CT
John Bartle?'
She pressed open a gold locket sus-
pended round her throat and took out
a small photograph.
THANK you, Miss Cassidy. And your
hance's address?"
Twenty two Cadorgan Mansions,
Piccadilly."
That is block of expensive flats?"
Yes, indeed"
But Bartle was just an engineer"
7 ha
has come into some money since then"
He must have. Now 1 want you to
send to me- directly you go home. the
last letter you received from .Bartle
after you went to America. The ques-
ton of comparing dates may arise.
Have you his letters ?"
"An Of them. You shall have the one
you ask. without fail"
VERY good. And now I should like
to see this very commonplace black
mailer and put two questions to him"
A motor bus rumbled US to the
Eu7ton Road. Miss Cassidy living in a
street Off that thoroughfare. Tredways'
designation of the fellow as common
place was keenly accurate. He had ar
rived, and was slouching about in front
of the house; an understood travesty
of the human animal, halfway back on
reversion to type only not villain
because he was a weakling. Miss
Caseldy, in advance of us. engaged this
remnant in conversation. Tredwavs
and came on Ieisurely. Suddenly my
companions right hand shot out, grip
ping the fellow by the waist coat, while
with his left he forced back the man S
head so that the light from a street
lamp fell upon the wildly glaring face
Name ?" rasped Tredways
"Judson." was the gaspedout reply
what prison were you in last?"
"Blackmoor," choked the other, his
eyeballs rolling.
THAT will do. Quit"
Mr.. Judson. violently propelled into
the roadway, spun round twice and
took to his heels as quickly as he knew
how.
Badly scared. he vanishes from the
story chuckled Tredways.
We said goodnight to Miss Caseldy
who expressed her thanks and relief OF
mind.
Are you coming back with me
, Francie, for a final smoker" invited
Tredways when we were alone.
Not unless you have something in
teresting to tell me in regard to this
case
AN implication that you find it fiat %
do not you?'
Yes, verify. We are fishing in shall
low waters. Francie. Come and see
me Wednesday night and hear the re-
suit"
was able to accept Tredways' in
vitation, which matured seventy-twc
hours after Miss Caseldy's visit.
"Oh, that ," said he disinterestediy
as opened up the subject. That is
a chapter closed"
And was John Bartle at Black
moore" I questioned.
What opinion have you formed
Francie?'
Il think that he was"
We'll, he was not" laughed Tired
. ways. The poor fellow has beer
grossly ibelled- The other box. Fran
Gle; that lot are green cigars. 1 have
: 'beensto Blackmoor convict prison. Its