Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1923-03-12

an Irresistible impulse. / hagn"u"'
across the few yards CT hcetSer-
grown common. crossed the road,
made my way up the straggltng. ave
nue. and rang the great front-dooc
bell Presently the huge door swung
silently open. Janet stood there.
looking out at me.
! freely admit that lost my nerve.
lost my poise. and with 1t 81 the
gifts which enable man to face an
exceptional situation. For this Wo-
man showed no signs OF any mental
disturbance. ! had never seen her
look more beautiful She moved
away from the door.
Come in" she invited. 81 have
been expecting you"
Our footsteps awakened strange
echoes in the hall She led the way
into the sittIng-room which opened
onto the terrace, and sank back on
the divau, where apparently she had
been resting.
"Judas"' she murmured.
You Know. then?" / demanded
harshly.
"Everything-eve the last little
episode. What fools you policemen
are
He isn't safe yet" l muttered,
She laughed mockingly.
Il worry no more about him." she
declared. 1T is not an equal strug-
gle. / worry only about myself,
alone here
"Alone-herer' ! echoed,
She nodded.
Harding. our butler-chauffeur and
confederate. has taken the car
where you can guess. Our gillie
broke his leg this morning and has
gone to hospital / am not fraid OF
burglars, but / am terrified OF mice.
and the place is overrun with them.
Also simply loathe the idea of hav.
ing to get up and make my own
coffee in the morning."
l rose to my feet.
There are empty rooms at the
Dormy House." l told her, where
you could obtain service and be
made quite comfortable. am going
back now. Shall 1 bespeak one for
you?"
You would really have me there"
she asked curiously, under the same
roof as your august and respectable
self?''
why not?"
The wife Of a famous criminal"
she reminded me. the wife OF the
man whom you have betrayed! You
and / share a secret too. don't we?
| Would you VOuch for rIZy-respeCra.
| bility?"
z MOVED a step toward her Her
eyes were filled with a mingled
light, light of allurement and
cruelty. Her lips were moist and
| quivering-was it with anger? A
long bare arm was withdrawn from
| behind her head. .. Then a
voice fell upon the throbbing silence
like douche of cold water.
Hands up-like lightning!"
/ obeyed. / recognized the voice
Of the man in Harding's livery, It
was Stanfeld. who had crept in upon
US unheard.
"A mixture Of Lothario and In
spector Bucket!' he Knocked. Amy
prayers to say?"
III you are going to shoot, LET'S
have it over quickly" answered.
The woman stepped between us.
Don't be absurd" she said to the
newcomer. I'VE couldn't afford to
part with Sir Norman. Life would
be too duh without him. Put him on
parole. He is perfectly trust
worthy"
You are right" Stsnheld ad.
mitted Take your choice. Greyes
twelve hours silence. or Eternity"
Il will be silent for twelve hours"
1 promised.
He pointed to the door.
II cannot have the last few hours
l may ever spend with my wife dis
turbed." he said. kindly leave us"
/ went. There was mist before
Emy eyes. cloud befogging my brain.
Huntington was sitting on the
porch. smoking, when / got back. He
moved his head toward the Lodge 1t
was obvious from his detection that
he too had heard from Mccall.
What do you think about taking
a look round there?" he suggested.
quite useless" / replied tersely.
| Let's have a game of billiards and
try and forget the whole damned
business"
THE Honor OF NJ. Lutarde,"
| fourth story OF this remarkable
series, will begin in our next
issue. Il