Evening star., 1922-02-12
By Mrs. Wilson Woodrow

iron-gray hair from across his brow.
He looked down At Ramsey, bound and
helpless; with an arrogant, malicious
humor playing over his face.
THE really ludicrous part Of II all.
Ramsey. is that your suspicious ~ 70
my complicity in the counterfeifinG
were correct; your theory in perfect
accord with the facts. But. unf0rtu-
nately for you, you let precipitancy
run away with you. Had you observ-
ed the excellent old motto, 'Festina
lente,' and made haste more slowly.
you would probably have discovered
that the OUTFIT you sought IL not here.
but a mile away-to be exact. at the
last house in the village down the
road: you passed 1t unwittingly each
time you came out here.
1T is a cheerful cottage owned by
highly respectable couple who have
taken two man dodgers. obviously OF
the commuter class. These two men
and the husband 90 to town every
morning, presumably to work. but
really to sleep. and return each even
ing on the $40. Even while We sit
here talking they are industriously
turning out from old Jimmy Swope's
plates the notes which have SO pug
zled our friends in the secret service.
You see." he concluded with lit
tile bow, Il feel quite safe in impart-
ing this information to you"
Involuntarily Ramsey's head sank
forward on his chest.
In the brief silence that ensued
there fioated up to their ears from
without the painting Of an automobile
climbing up the hill. Ramsey raised
his head sharply, but Achison listened
to the approaching sound with uncon-
cern.
Don't base any false hopes on
that" he said. Il have been expecting
it. Merely a messenger from the
Meteor for some special matter that
promised TO get out for them this
evening. You will excuse me. won't
you, while l add a few concluding
paragraphs? The signal that you were
starting up the hill interrupted me.
for 1 had not expected your arrival
quite SO soon.'
AS he spoke ne drew the dictaphone
toward him. and starting the motor
| into operation, began debating easily,
| fuently into the mouthpiece.
Before he had finished. though, the
automobile pulled up in front Of the
| house, and there came resoundinE
peal at the doorbeIl. Achison rose to
answer it.
Il shall not take the trouble TO gag
you he said.
Il know this fellow. and he is as
deaf as a post Call for help if you
want to; it will only be a waste of
| breath"
d AMSEY did not doubt that he
~ spoke the truth. Nevertheless he
| Immediately set up rociferous
racket. but not SO much with any
hope of attracting the attention Of
| the messenger as to cover up an 'ex-
pedient which had leaped to his brain
the instant Achison started for the
door.
| Bound though he was to the chair.
he still had his legs free: and while
he shouted and called. he quickly
| thrust out one foot and. hooking IL
about the standard of the dictaphone.
| drew the instrument on its wheeled
base toward him.
The record which Achison had been
Using was still in place: all that was
needed 10 set the apparatus going was
a touch Of his foot upon the lever down
near the bottom Of the standard.
1 Help: Murder- he shouted At the
top of his voice for Achison's benefit.
Then. wriggling sideways SO az to
bring his lips down to the mouth
piece, he dictated in lower tone a
rapid message to the typist who
would transcribe the record.
| Am a prisoner at Achison's bunga-
low. Counterfeiters working at last
house in village a mile away. Get
word at once to Hatton of secret
service to round them up and then
come and get me. Wallace Ramsey
Shutting off the power with an
other touch of the lever, he yelled
again for help. and pushed the dicta-
phone back to where it had stood be-
fore.
He had just time to draw in his
leg when Achison came back into the
room. Without speaking. the lawyer
seated himself and drew the dicta-
phone toward him. to complete his
unfinished article.
Ramsey's heart was beating wildly.
Would Achison reverse the record. in
order to refresh his mind on what he
had been debating when interrupted?
Bending down, he hurriedly die
tated a few closing sentences to the
article. slipped the record from the
machine and. bundling 1t up. took It
out to the waiting messenger.
When he returned he commented
ironically upon Ramsey's futile vocal
efforts.
"It would have done you no good
in any event." he said. III by any
chance the man had heard you, /
would simply have explained that one
of my servants was subject to night
mare.
!, And now" He paused and sig
nificantly eyed the two revolvers he
had laid upon the table. IT'S q nasty
business. Ramsey. Don't imagine that
am weakening in the least. but-weil,
need q drink
. He stopped on his way to the side
board and gaxed hesitantly at his pris-
oner.
|. ia offer you one, too: you're q
ghastiy sight. But I don't see just
! how to manage IT, Wait q minute