Evening star., 1921-06-05

used once. from the water moving
nearby. as spring house. The driver
building and placed him on the fioor.
Lighting a match, he glanced around.
He swayed a trifle. steadied himself
with an effort. then, as the glow of
the match expired. bent over and
thrust his hand in Randalrs pocket.
another match and ran. quickly over
the ring until he had found the key
he desired. This he slipped from the
ring into his own pocket and returned
the rest to Randalfs coat.
On the point of leaving. he hesitated
and with a reSolute air stopped and
removed the cloth from Randall's head
and the cord from the body. After
ward he took small bottle from his
pocket, forced the unconscious mans
lips open and poured a quantity OF
the fluid down his throat.
When he had gathered up the cloth
the rope. and the bottle. the man left
the stone building, laughing with a
satisfaction that was not wholly
vicious. He secreted the compromis-
ing bundle beneath a large stone in
the bed of a stream.
His lurch was more pronounced az
he walked to the car, and his manner
less confident as he drove on to the
house.
He alighted. climbed the steps, and
crossed Cne V0IdnUd. ne lclL MS
pocket for the latchkey he had taken
from Randall, inserted it in the lock.
and noiselessly opened the door. He
was very careful to see that the door
did not latch behind him. He placed
the key on the hall table. He folded
chair. Stealthily he advanced along
the dark and silent hall to the stair
way.
At the sound of his automobile
Bella had half arisen.
A board creaked in the corridor
outside her door.
She swung around. her hand at her
throat.
John.
Complete silence followed. Unless
something out Of all reckoning had
occurred hef" husband could not be
back. None of the servants would
have used an automobile.
The knob moved. inch by inch the
door opened. and inch by inch. as II
impelled by a perfectly controlled i'm
pulse from the door widening on the
intruder. she retreated until the wall
held her.
"Freddyr' she gasped.
What are you doing here? How
did you get in? Go, before-this is out
Of the question
ITS all right. Bella Needn't be
afraid. Randalrs out Of the way. He
Then you know about Mrs. Han
SOM" she asked
He nodded sagely.
II know a lot
You can't stay here she said
Co
"Then you shall come with me.
That's the scheme, Been in. the back
of my head all along. Wen show Z
clean pair of heels. Time something
definite happened. Bella-you' know
how 1 love you"
A slight impediment. unfamiliar to
ticeable in his voice. His control
was limited. Already his true con-
dition disclosed itself. Fear as pow
erful as that which had greeted his
stealthy approach returned to her
eyes.
You know I won't come with you,
Freddy. Perhaps later things will
be arranged. John and I had a talk
He advanced. She stepped behind
the table. He tapped the side pocket
"By gad; I'd have killed him to-
night to get to you If it had been
necessary. That's what you've done
He reached across and grasped
he glided around the table. A book
fell to the noor. and smother. vase
of roses toppied over and shattered
musicaliy.
He got his arm around her.
You've got to let me keep my
promise" 49,
Still laughing. he drew her closer.
His flaming eyes were near. His
breath was revolving on her cheeks.
She struggled. gasping for words.
Let me go. You've been drinking.
AS he flung har h>~k a~aina tha
table the side pocket OF his 'unhut-
toned coat tapped against her hand.
I'm not going to let you slip now.
Bella" -
"Freddy. You're killing mel"
She put her hand in his pocket and
snatched out an unpublished. stubby,
evil cylinder with, square grip,
which perfectly fitted her hand.
Look out. Freddy! You hNFt"
He laughed again. HIS 1f6 re-
pulsive and cruel. crushed hers. Her
smothered crying was. bitter. sS7
An explosion. slightly mufneA.
crowded the room with sound. An
other followed.
LIS lips. a moment ago masterful
IL with unreasoning vitality, no
longer troubled her.
Freddy" she sobbed. Pm sor-
ry-" y,
He crumpled at her feet. i
J. Near the water. spilled from the