The Washington times., 1921-03-08

70 ruon 10 ner room anu Io-
turn with the twin weapon to the
enc that ley in the hollow OF his
palm.
"Now. them" he said. "are you
Peadyr"
.sssso.. enc Of them ha. +. gun
mot = chance IN the world
.etoves might. but ] doubt It."
pantry door into Q hallway and
thencs 70 the entrance Of the ball
room. They advanced separately.
~ though they had come in answer
70 Z summons, and - . result no
one paid any attention to either.
1t was the work Of seconds to
close the doors and lock them. and
having done this they found them
selves making for the other exit.
The guests. watching the gyrations
OF the subtle Homer. did not give
them . glance. 1t was even the
irony Of fate that Carlotta had
stolea that moment to Ask her
father why he had Introduced his
busin0ss friend into tho festivities
Mr.. Darley was inclined to be .
Attls sharp. II brought him In be-
cause you asked me to-"
Il asked you to-~hy' father
sDon't let's split hairs. cariotta
You sent word by Peter that
you'd like tho fellow to remain. so
! had to fetch him along"
ri didn't know he was here and I
never mentioned his name to Peter
I'D forgotten there was such
man." she replied. mystified.
barley was puzzled. That's
strange-that's strange" he said.
"what's back of all -thisT Don't
say anything to Peter-leave 1t to
me; by the way. Mr.. Slower has
taken violent liking to you and
would feel honored II you'd break
your engagement and marry him.
Carlotta laughed. "If I weren't
almost married already and had to
choose-Td prefer Peter"
HANDS UP.
1t was At that second that Peter
wheeled suddenly. raised steady
arm and called out: Hands up?
At frst his words were taken as
q joke; women looked to Miss
barley to explain. but Miss Dar-
ley's frightened face did not re-
assure them.
To Stover the command was far
from a Jest, he could have fore
told just such d happening; to
barley 1t was a blow; he had put
his faith in his butler and he had
been fooled.
Hands up, every one," Peter
cried again-"no delay you will
be gently relieved Of all your be-
longings, and II you make
struggle you will be shot without
lively: women on one
side. mon on the other"
"You damned scoundrel." broke
In barley, but Peter paid no heed.
with Claire he was advancing, his
pistol pointed at the shining shirt
fronts before him. He was IN
earnest: they could all see that,
and there was no attempt to lower
their arms and thus invite a mes
sage from the grim-looking little
barrel that held death In its short
length.
barley was pale with rage.
You're not going to get away
with this" he called. IT knew what
you were and ] trusted you and
this 10 the way you show your
I suppose?"
"Yes, sir" said Peter. this is the
way-keep your hands up. Mr..
there's always the danger
Of this little things being dis
If you don't"
Peter paused to observe the ef-
feet of the hold-up on the members
Of the smart set. Most of the men
were silent and tense; some of the
women were weeping; others were
defiant Carlotta looked ~ though
she were In mortal fear Of her life.
AS PLEASANT As POSSIBLE.
I'VE shall 60 ahead very quickly"
said Peter. "Miss Conway win re-
lieve both the gentlemen and the
ladies' Of whatever valuables they
have and deposit them on the little
table there-I want to make every
thing as pleasant As posstbie-all
ready. Clare
Miss Conway handed her pistol
10 Peter and proceeded to go
the pockets Of the men, de-
cover. She was adept and thor
and when she had finished the cloth
was piled high with pocketbooks,
watches and rings. The
ladies sought refuge in sobs, as
Miss Darley's maid unfastened their
removed their ornaments
lnd added than to the collection.
There WAS q particular smile on
Iare's face a. she unclapsed the
gift given by Homer Carle-
ton to Miss barley. And that
young lady. almost whimpering,
wondering II the world
had turned upside down. She was
being robbed in her fathers home,
bsfore her own guests and by her
Dwn servants.
Was II possible that the ironical
looking butler who now held two
pistols pointed menacingly at them
could be the staid Peter she had
tYied to make smile.
She shuddered to think Of II now.
He was = criminal. probably had
been in prison. Shed always
there was something mys-
Ierious about him. I.
She tried to catch Homer's eye.
This was not difficult. for that
young man was staring at her
lnxiously.
Now had come the chance he had
been praying for-the opportunity
10 show himself a hero. II he
could defy this insolent butler,
Erapple with him and down him he
would be secure forever In the
Iavor Of Carlotta barley.
ALSO THE PROXY.