Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1920-06-22

hired in the East End Of London.
The journey to the Secret House was
O mere blind to throw SUSPICION upon
Harrington and to put the police off
the track. The car would have re-
turned to London. and under the in
fluence of drug he had intended to
smuggle Frank into the small house
at West Ham, where he was to be
detained until the period which Far
rington had stipulated had expired.
But the transfer of money in the
house was different matter. The
place could be surrounded by police.
No, 1t must be an open space; such
a space as would enable Poltavo to
command a clear view on every side.
Why not Great Bradley, he thought
after a while? Again he would be
serving two purposes. He would be
leading the police to the Secret House
and he would have the mansion OF
mystery and all resources as re-
fuge in case anything went wrong
at the last moment. He could, in the
worst extremely, explain that he was
collecting the money on behalf of
Harrington.
Yes, Great Bradley and the wild
stretch of down on the south of the
town was the place. He made his
arrangements accordingly.
CHAPTER XVIII.
It was three days after the eX-
change OF letters that Count Polta-
vo, in the rough tweeds or a country
garb which hardly suit
ed his figure or presence--strolled
carelessly across the downs, making
his way to their highest point, n great
rolling slope. from the crest of which
a man could see half dozen miles
in every direction.
The sky was overcast and chill
wind blew: 1t was such day which
he might be certain no pleasure
seekers would be abroad. To his left,
half hidden in the furthermost shelf
err of the downs, yelled as ii was for
ever under q haze of blue grey smoke.
lay Great Bradley, with it's chin
neys and it's busy industrial life. To
his right he caught a glimpse of the
square ugly facade Of the Secret
House. half hidden by the encircling
trees. TO its right was a chimney
stack from which a hazy feather OF
smoke was drifting. Behind him the
old engine house of the deserted
mines, and to the right of that the
nrnffv 1tff1n
week before Lady Constance Dex had
80 mysteriously disappeared, and
which in consequence had been an
object of pilgrimage for the whole
But Lady Constance Dex's disap-
pearance had become a nine days
wonder. There were many explana-
tions offered for he- unexpected alb
sence. The police of the country were
were hunting Systematically and
and only T. B. and those in
his immediate confidence were sat.
isfied that the missing woman was
less than two miles away from the
scene Other disappearance.
Count Poltavo had armed himself
with pair OF field glasses, and now
he carefully scrutinized oil the roads
which led to the downs. A motor
car. absurdly diminutive from the
distance, came spinning along the
white road two miles away.
He watched it as 1t mounted the one
hill and descended the other, and
kept his glasses on it until 1t had
in cloud Of dust on the
London road. Then he saw what he
sought. Coming across the downs a
mile away was the bent figure of a
man who stopped now and again to
look about, as tho uncertain as to the
he should take. Poltayo,
lying flat upon the ground, his glasses
fixed upon the man. waited, watch
Ing the slow progress with lazy in
terest.
He saw an old man. white bearded
and srey-haired, carrying his hat in
his hand as he walked. His rough
homespun clothing, his collarless shirt
open at the throat. the plaid scarf
around his neck, all these Poltayo
saw thru his powerful glasses and
was satisfied.
This was not the kind of man to
play tricks. he smiled TO himself Pol
tavo's precautions had been OF an
nature. Three roads led to
the downs, and in positions at equal
distances from where he stood he had
placed three cars. He was ready for
all emergencies. If he had to flyJ
then whichever way of escape was
necessary would bring him to a
means OF placing distance between
himself and any possible pursuer.
The old man came nearer. Pol.
tavo made q hasty but narrow survey
Of the messenger
Good" he said. a
He walked to meet the old man.
You have a letter for me-" he in
CURED.
The other glanced at him suspi.
ciously.
Manner" he asked gruffly.
my nan1s," said the smiling Pole,
is Poltavo.''
Slowly the messenger CROPPED in his
pockets and produced heavy pack
age. you've got to give me some-
thing" he said.
Poltayo handed over a sealed pack.
et, receiving in exchange the mes
,enger's,
Again Poltavo shot smiling glance
1t this sturdy old man. Save for the
beard and the grey hair which
showed beneath the broad-rimmed,
hat, this might have been