Evening star., 1922-02-12

flashed up and he found himsel1 star
ing at Achison, who barred his way,
a leveled revolver in his hand.
Drop that pistol and hold up your
hands" the lawyer ordered sharply.
Then as Ramsey obeyed: Now, sit
down here" He struck the back OF
the straight, armless chair which
stood beside the dictaphone.
As Ramsey complied the other
quickly slipped a moose Of rope over
his shoulders from behind, pinning
his arms at his sides and binding him
fast to the chair.
There" he said, when he had knot
ted two additional cords about his
captive. laying aside his weapon to
do so; II imagine you are secure"
THE color had risen to his face,
! doubtless from his exertions. but
there was no umbrage in the smile
he bestowed as he drew forward
large asy-chair and settled himself
in it. His manner was merely that
Of one who anticipates an interesting
conversation; yet Ramsey felt an in
voluntary chill run down his spine.
And now" Achison's voice was
! suavely inquiring. perhaps you VIII
explain your uninvited presence In
my house? You have never fooled
me. Ramsey" There was satiric
twinkle in his eye. Il have always
suspected your true character. and.
at last, to use the vernacular, l have
the goods on you. You are what the
newspapers call a society Rafies.."
Il should have been quite within
my rights" he went on blandly. III
I had shot you as a burglar the mo-
ment you swung your leg over my
windowsill: but with an unctu-
Gus gurgle OF lauehter-"I am tenn
peramentally as curious as maiden
aunt. And, besides. ! am inclined, l
fear, to procrastination. TO putting
of an unpleasant duty until the last
moment"
His meaning was unmistakable. and
Ramsey's heart sank. He was abso-
lutely in Achison's power. and Achi-
son held too long a score against him
to withhold his hand now that the
advantage was SO completely his.
Il have never. from our first en-
counter, made the mistake of under
rating you," Achison observed. with
rather a grand air OF concession.
You are really a very able fellow
! and YOU have tracked me like blood
| hound"
| "Wen,'-with a slight shrus of the
shoulders--"that's all over. But l
always knew that sooner or later
should outplay you. 1t was only
| question of time. Why, from the
| first day you drove out here and
| sneaked up through the trees, you
have been watched. was certain
that YOU would come back again al
the first opportunity; SO when Mrs
Fenwashe asked me to dinner tonigh'
L artlessly expressed a hope that you
also would be present" He rubbed
his hands, chuckling over his success
full ruse. when 1 telephoned he'
this afternoon that sudden attack
of 1umbago would keep me at home
she moaned that she would have te
fill in both our places. Thens1 knew
of course, that I might certainly ex-
pect you and made my preparations
accordingly"
Achison settled himself moro easily
in his chair.
We'll, since the night is young, and
am in a procrastinating humor-
although l always meet my opiga
ttons in the long run-suppose yol
tell me Just what was the purpose o
this theatrical exploit. You pose al
an edition deluxe Sherlock Holmes
I believe; what crime had you cooked
up against me now? Murder, arson
! abduction-what?
"Counterfeiting," said Ramse!
curtly.
Achison's eyelids fiuttered slightly
His benign. good-humored expression
a habitual mask. altered subtly ant
became ruthless and menacing.
"Ah?" There was at least no change
lin the suavity Of his tones. II begir
to comprehend. This-er-obsessior
dates, of course, from the night yot
dined with that fellow Hatton. And
lso"-with tolerant. patronixing amuse.
ment-"you expected to fnd the out.
fit going full blast in my cellar. The,
are always in cellars. are they not
land then you were planning to drive
back to town with your information
and 1t would be all over with Achison
"Ramsey"-with a shake of the
lhead-"you are cursed with the grea
fault of youth-impetuosity. witt
your gifts you might have gone far
Instead. you merely-vanish."
Ramsey, who had recovered in {
measure from the first shock Of hi!
defeat. gave a short laugh.
Don't be silly. Achison. You dom
dream, do you. that l set out on thi
expedition without leaving In reliabl,
hands a very clear account of m!
reasons for undertaking it, as well a.
comprehensive statement covering
our various encounters in the past?
is hardly likely, then. that my disap
pearance under the circumstance
question and investiEation."
"oh, model Of prudent forethought!
Achison surveyed him with mock ad
miration. mo. dear lad: 1 neve
doubted that you would do just tha
thing. But"-with q careless wave o
the hand-"what does it all amour
to? You may have written reams o
waste paper concerning me. but site
down, what 10 it? Conjecture and sus
picion. There is nothing that I can
not explain. for the very good reasol
that you never had actually any