The Dolores star., 1923-11-30
CHAPTER x-Continued.
Is

hoated down TO him:
This is terrible house. l want to
go back to Marguerite. To Marguerite.
To Marguerite.'' -
Tommy had run back to the stairs.
She wanted him to go and leave h"r.
But why? AT all costs he must try
and get her away with him. Then his
heart sank. Conrad was leaping down
the stairs, uttering savage cry at the
sight of him. After him came the
others.
Tommy stopped Conrad's rush with a
straight blow with his fist 1t caught
the other on the point Of the jaw and
he fell like a log. The second man
triqped over his body and fell. From
higher up the staircase there was a
dash. and a bullet gruZed Tommy's
ear. He realized that It would be
good for his health to get out of this
house as soon as possible. As regards
Annette he could do nothing
He leapt for the door. slammlng it
behind him. The square was de
serted. In front of the house was Il
bakers van. Evidently he was TO
have been taken out of London in
that, and his body found many miles
from the house in Soho. The driver
jumped TO the pavement and tried to
par Tommy's way. Again Tommy's
fist shot out, and the driver sprawled
on the pavement.
Tommy took to his heels and ran
none too soon The front door opened
and hail Of bullets followed him.
Fortunately none of them hit him. He
turned the corner of the square.
There's one thing" he thought TO
himself. they can't go on shooting.
They'll have the police after them if
they do"
He heard the footsteps Of his pur-
suers behind him, and redoubled his
own pace once he got out of these
by-ways he would be safe. In another
moment he had reason to bless his
luck. He stumbled over PROSTATE
figure, which started up with yell of
alarm and dashed off down the street.
Tommy drew back into a doorway.
In a minute he had the pleasure of
seeing his two pursuers. Of whom the
German was one, industriously track
Ing down the red herring.
Tommy sat down quietly on the
doorstep and allowed a few moments
TO elapse while he recovered his
breath. Then he strolled gently in the
opposite direction. He glanced at his
watch. 1t was a little after half-past
five. 1t was rapidly growing light
He betook himself to Turkish bath
establishment which he knew to be
open all night He emerged into the
busy daylight feeling himself once
more, and able to make plans.
First Of all, he must have a square
meal. He had eaten nothing since
midday yesterday. He turned into
shop and ordered eggs and bacon and
coffee. Whilst he ate, he read a morn
ing paper propped up in front of him.
Suddenly he stiffened. There was
long article on Kramenin, who was de-
scribed as the man behind Boil
shevism" in Russia, and who had just
arrived in London-some thought as
an unofficial envoy.
In the center of the page was his
portrait.
$50 that's who Number l Is" said
Tommy. Not a doubt about it
must push on"
He paid for his breakfast, and be-
took himself to Whitehall. There he
sent up his name, and the message
that it was urgent. A few minutes
later he was in the presence of the
man who did not here go by the name
of Mr.. Carter"
And as briefly and succinctly as
possible he detailed the experiences of
the last few days.
Halfway through, Mr.. Carter inter
rupted him to give few cryptic or
:iers through the telephone. All traces
Of dispIeasure had now left his face
He nodded energetically When Tommy
mad finished
"Quite right. Every moments Of
value Fear we shall be too late any
way. They wouldn't wait Would
clear out at once. Still, they may
have left something Behind them that
will be a clue. You say you've recog-
pized Number / TO be Kramenin?
That's important. He handed a photo
graph to Tommy. and smiled at the
others exclamation. I'm right, then
Who is he? Irishman. Prominent
Unionist NIP. All blind, of course
We've suspected it-but couldn't get
any proof Yes. you've done very
well, young man. The Goth, you say
Is the date. That gives us very little
time-yery little time indeed"
But" Tommy hesitated
Mr.. Carter read his thoughts.
1--WE can deal with the general
Nrike menace, / think. It's a toss
up-but we've got sporting chance
But II that draft treaty turns up
we're done. England will be plunged in
anarchy. All, what's that? The car?
Come on. Beresford, We'll go and have
o look at this house of yours"
Two constables were on duty in
hront of the house in Soho. An in.
spector reported to Mr.. Carter in
kwvv .,~t-~