Evening star., 1923-02-27
fContinued from Yesterdays Starr

The lifeless right hand still grasped
the automatic pistol with which
Miriam Warburton had been threat
ened
."Yes. Colonel-it is Seafalcon."
Rennison Replied
And you-you left him alone-in
order that he might take his life?"
the Colonel faltered. as frown Of
disapproval darkened his face.
Yes. In the circumstances, it was
the one thing to do
Thus speaking, he crossed to the
trapdoor and opened it. Then. calling
down, he said:
"Everything is all right up here
Catherwood. Wen have you up in a
few minutes.
".All right, captain" a voice below
answered promptly.
Rennison closed the trapdoor and
turned again to Hawkshurst, who shook
his head incredulously.
afraid l cannot see it that
to him too easy a way out of it. Had
YOU prevented this. it is possible We
would have learned something----."
Il have learned all he had to tell
Rennison retorted. He has assured
me that sufficient evidence to con-
Nict all the leaders of the brotherhood
may be found in q place which he
designated, and to which we must
get without delay. 1t is essential
Colonel, that you and ! get to New
York tonight. l would suggest.
therefore. that you direct that
special locomotive and sleeper be
made ready for US at once and given
the right of way over the line. 1 will
also ask that the stateroom of the
sleeper be placed at the service of
Miss Warburton and that a nurse be
requiSitioned from one of the hos
pitals to attend her on the journey.
The nurse should be provided with
simple medical remedies to minister
10 the comforts of a woman who is
suffering from mental and physical
exhaustion and is in urgent need of
refreshing Sleep
Would it not be better to send the
lady TO a hospital in Baltimore?"
Hawkshurst asked.
No; she must not be left here
alone-toniGht," RennIson snapped.
Have your way, then" Hawk
Ehurst replied, resiSned.v as. taking
out his watch he glanced at the dial.
Rennison turned to tie Secret
Service man.
"Towndrow. the Colonel. ann I will
set into communication with your
chief shortly after our arrivSl in
there is little that may be done h>re.
These bodies must be removed as
quickly and as secretly as possib,s
by Catherwood. who is waiting below
lie will take them away by water
and make sure such disposition Of
three of them that no trace of them
ever may be found by members OF the
brotherhood, for it may serve our
purpose to encourage the belief that
one or more of them may be living
and supplying us with information
But the body of the man who is
known to us as Seafalcon must be
treated with the same degree of re-
spect that would be vouchsafed by US
to loyal and respected officer Of
our Army or Navy. I would suggest
that, having been placed on one of
the warships now in the harbor. it
should be conveyed, with the great
est possible secrecy. to Annapolis and
kept carefully concealed on the
grounds of the Naval Academy until
such time as it may be possible to
give it proper burial in the national
cemetery at Arlington
My God, Rennison. are you mad?'
demanded Hawkshurst. who. like
Towndrow. bewildered and horriffed
fnstinctively rccoiled from the man
who was addressing them.
"You will scarcely think so, Colonel,
when l have revealed to you the
strange secret this man confided to
me-" Rennison replied. There is not
time to tell the story now. but will
communicate it to You while we are
on the way to New York. Meantime.
as have said, these bodies must be
removed, and all the men we have
brought to this section of the city
must be withdrawn. This WharfhOuse
should be unguarded. Let all enter it
who will, and the fate of Seafalcon
remain a matter for conjecture. In
obedience to the last order issued by
him. all the men he had in this neigh
Sborhood are spersing-pompletely
mystified by the orders they have re-
ceived, ignorant of the fate of their
chief and wholly unable to grasp the
significance of our movements and
purposes.
I'm that respect. at least. their
situation differs little from mine,"
Hawkshurst grumbled. But let us
do quickly the little which, as you
have said. remains to be done here.
Get Catherwood up. and. while you
are giving him instructions concern
ing the disposition of the bodies, I'll
have enc of our fellows arrange for
the dispatch of special train: with
full right of way to New NOrk."
And a nurse Rennison suggested.
a nurse. of course" Hawkshurst
answered. dryly..
The colonel started toward the door
at the further end of the room. Rem
nison flung open the door of the trap
and called down:
I'm going to lower the ladder,
Catherwood. Come up alone
The ladder was lowered quickly,
and few moments later Catherwood
again emerged from the trap. Town
drow listened moodily as the neces-
sary instructions were given to the
naval officer. When these were COM
pleted, Catherwood summoned four
OF his men from below and the task
of removing the bodies was begun.
With his hands thrust into the
pockets of his coat Rennison moved
slowly from the end of the room at
which Catherwood and his men were
engaged. Towndrow followed him.
When they were out Of hearing of the
others, Rennison, turning, said
We'll, Towndrow, it looks as II it
is up to you to assume charge of the
situation here after the colonel and
& I start for New York York For 1.-THE the time tI
may be done-in Baltimore"
Without replying, the secret service
man lighted a cigar After satisfying
himself that no heat remained in the
burnt tip of the matchstick, he tossed
it to the floor.
II SUPPOSE 1 am safe in assuming
that your confidence in the good faith
of the, 'Tanager' is completely re-
stored ne said
Flushing darkly. Rennison looked
at him sharply.
Yes" he answered, shortly; then,
after a pause, he added: IF you have
anything to say against Miss War
burton, say 1T now, Tondrow. Twenty
four hours hence, perhaps, 1t will be
too late"
Too To- Ia Late other;s the secret ere service man
TOO late" Rennison repeated
grimly. TT is my hope and expecta-
tIon that within twenty-four hours
right to exercise full prerogatives as
her duly qualified, legal protector.
From the moment that right devolves
on me, will hold to q strict account
ing any person who threatens her
personal safety or who says anything
that is derogatory to her reputation" "
For several moments each gazed
ffxedly at the other. Towndrow's
voice shook a little as he asked:
DO you mean that 1 should.under-
stand, captain. that it is your pur-