The Chesterfield advertiser. [volume] (Chesterfield C.H., S.C.) 1884-1978, 1921-10-27
The
Myster.y Of the
Silver Dagger
By RANDALL PARRISH

fellow stumbled over Harris legs, Civ
Ing me chance to drive home one
hst square into his face. I heard
him rip out Hebrew oath, and saw
blood staining his lips. 1 tried to
break away from him, but It was no
use; yet the effort opened his guard
for a swift uppercut, and let him
have 1t straight to the chin. He
crashed back across the table, and
hung there dangling, arms outspread
and head In broken dish. Before I
could strike again, or even recover
my breath, the curtains were thrust
| violently aside, and the head-waiter.
hacked by half dozen subordinates,
came tumbling In over Harris inert
body. Even as they stared about, I
helped the girl to her feet, and faced
; them.
"what happen here, M'sieur7 What
happen?" shrieked the excited French
man. You keel re men? What?"
No: they're just knocked cut A
, little private affair, that's ALL" l said,
too exhausted to speak clearly. See
here. M'sieur," ind I thrust the first
hill could reach into his hand. "Hush
this up, will you, and let the lady
and me get out Of here"
He dashed about frantically, wiring.
Ing his hands and gesticulatlng.
/ "Oui, Oui Ect shall he so. There
ees t" he no trouble, no police. Zs
men attack you, M'sieur Daly.-I see
eet all: YOU protect re Madame. There
be no noise, no peestal-bien! Fran
coils, Jules, you will help ne lady an
ze gentleman to go-quick,"
The two waiter guardians held back
the curtains for us to pass through,
The main dining room was not as dis
-turbed rs ! anticipated it might be.
As we came forth and made our way
down the aisle under escort, we were
gazed at curiously, but no demonstra-
tion followed.
A group of walters stood before the
| outer door, evidently collected there
to prevent any alarm from reaching
the outside. To the signal OF Francois
these stepped aside, permitting us to
pass through into the vestiYule.
assisted my companion into her
coat, and then hastily struggled into
met my own bravely, and her hand
touched my arm as we went up the
steps. Above, all remained quiet and
dark.
what nextT / asked.
Il believe there are tavis around the
corner"
Good; l would prefer riding to
walking. myself. Where do you wish
| to he takenI''
Back TO the hotel, please"
In the semi-darkness Of the cab !
felt her hand touch mine gently, as
though half afraid.
"Oh, l was so frightened-so sorry
to have brought you there, 1t was all
my fault. The Russian had a knife"
"Yes, l know; l caught glimmer
OF 1t, but he went down and out for
the count before 1t could be used
| There Is nothing to worry over now"
"They did not get the moneyr'
| mo, that Is clear enough. Some
body :cot the bulge on them, and they
are very properly sore You heard
Harris swear, YOU left with Alva."
Harris knows nothing about 1t; you
must believe me-"
81 intend to-certainly as against
Harris"
She may not have been altogether
| pleased with my answer, for she said
no more until we 'lrew up at the hotel
| entrance. She waited while Il settled
with the chauffeur, and I'VE or 1ssed
the vide pavement together.
"It may he nest for YOU not to come In
one never knows"
This Is not final parting. hope ?
perhaps so. perhaps not. You dc
not -h .,y trust me- Some day NEAR
| you shall. i;OOd-night."
fet her hand IN mine, Just for 6
moment: then the doors opened and
closed, leaving me alone.