The Monmouth inquirer., 1922-07-13
CHAPTER XIV.

fering, II was Dfoau udylSHt. 0oine
one was still kneading his tortured
frame persistently.
"Helderman, you devil. stop!" he
commanded, hoarsely.
mo, Pritchard-the surgeon" re-
torted the other man. Now, listen
to mel If you don't stop tossing about
until find out what's the matter with
i you it will be all up with you about
ever walking again
Rutherford, sick with pain, subsided.
you're pretty we'll done up" the
surgeon observed as much to himself
as to his patient, after series of in
vestigations which seemed to the vic
tim like an inquisition.
"It's in the old place." muttered
Craig-then he added savagely, "but
will get well-I will walk!"
Good for you! like your spunk!"
said the doctor.
Craig breathed heavily, then he in
haled again and turned his eyes to-
ward the practitioner.
you using chloroform on me?"
"No-some one beat me to it and
has split all the bottle on your man
here.v
"Gooley?" exclaimed the sufferer
anxiously. Hello Mike"
For answer Mike lifted up sick
looking countenance, then struggled to
his feet, saluted and collapsed back
into his chair.
Some one 'phoned for me to come
at once"
| "Who?"
1t was woman's voice.
"But no woman could have known
that was hurt!" puzzled Craig.
'Look here, doctor, when did you get
the message?"
"At quarter of three-but didn't
go back to bed, as she insisted that
come at once"
J Eyes, but l didn't get 1t clearly. /
have the impression that it was Val
entine?'
| 'Val?"-
Craig's jaw dropped. leaving the
name unfinished. He groaned, suffer
ing in mind and body. Now he knew
why he had been attacked. Helder-
man had come to search his rooms and
] his person, for the necklace or the
| buckle-or both-and, worst of all,
with the connivance of woman who,
he had felt more than once, was de-
ceiying him! And moreover, she was
80 closely advised of all Helderman's
movements, that she was actually able
to summon doctor for his victim, in
side the hour! The fact that she took
the trouble to summon aid was mighty
poor comfort.
The physician must have seen his
anguish of body and soul, for he mixed
sleeping draught and gave it to
Craig. Under It's influence he sank in
to troubled but restful slumber.
1t was mid-afternoon when he awoke.
Mike was sitting by his bed, and now
grinned broadly.
Hello, Mike, yourself again ?"
"Sure, sor, and hoping you are en-
joying the same blessing!"
"Oh, I'll be better after I've had
something hot to drink. Anything else
happened?"
| mot just like the last, thanks be-
but two men called this morning who
were anxious to see you and when they
found out how banged up you were
said they'd come back later, sor."
"The secret service men again,
Mike. wish weren't SO popular!"
1t was, in truth, the secret service
men who called, the next morning, but
not the imitation ones whom Craig
had in mind. Cooley ushered them in
about 10 o'clock, and lined them up in
the bedroom, where his master could
see them without turning his head.
| Although Craig was much better than
he had believed he could be so scon
after the terrible twist to his spine, he
was still not inclined to exertion. But
he was pleased with his visitors.
Hello, Crowder!" he greeted one
of the two men: "rm jolly glad you
have come"
+ 'I'm glad to be here, sir. but sorry
you are laid up" the detective re-
| sponded. "This is Mr.. Sims. He
knows you, although you don't know
| him"
Craig nodded and looked more
| CLOSELY at the otner man. He acknOW-
lodged that he did not remember to
have seen him before.
He's one OF US" commented Craig.
what do you want to know?" Craig
asked.
"Mr. Rutherford, you once told me,
| in the presence of M Brookfield, at
the Barristers' Club thai. Mr. Helder-
man was the man whoEread you a
wireless message right off the reel"
| Rutherford nodded. He noticed the
other man hitch his chair nearer the
bed. Crowder evidently was keen up
| on the scent.
"The banker told you that this mes
sage was for the secret-service man
on board?" Crowder continued.
That's what he said.''
| "Well, Sims here was special