The Dolores star., 1923-12-21


They had an instinct that 1t would be
mere waste of breath.
But what l don't understand" said
the prime minister suddenly, "is how
that photograph came to be In Mr..
| Hershelmmer's drawerg'
Perhaps II never left it." suggested
the lawyer gently.
Two days later Julius Hersheimmer
returned from Manchester. A note
from Tommy lay on his table:
Dear Hersheimmer:
Sorry | lost my temper. In case
l don't see you again, good-by. I've
been offered a job in the Argentine,
and might as well take 1t.
yours,
TOMMY BERESFORD."
A peculiar smile fingered for n mo-
ment on julius face. He threw the
letter into the waste-paper basket
THE darned fool," he murmured.
After ringing up Sir James. Tom
my's next procedure was to make n
call at South Audley mansions. He
found Albert discharcIng his profes-
sional duties, and introduced himself
without more ado as n friend Of Tup-
pence's. Albert unbent Immediately.
Things has been very quiet here
lately" he said wIstfully. Hope the
young lady's keeping well, sir?"
That's just the point, Albert. She's
| disappeared"
You don't mean as the crooks have
got her?"
''They have. BY the way. have you
| by any chance an aunt. cousin. n
grandmother, or any other suitable fe-
! male relation who might be represent
ed as being likely to kick the bucket ?"
A delighted grin spread slowly over
Albert's countenance.
I'm on. sir. My poor aunt what
lives in the country has been mortal
bad for long time, and she's asking
| for me with her dying breath"
Tommy nodded approval.
Can you report this in the proper
| quarter and meet me at Charing Cross
| in an hours time?"
"Tll be there, sir. You can count
| on me-
As Tommy had judged. the faithful
Albert proved an invaluable ally. The
| two took up their quarters at the inn
/ in GatehOuSe. To Albert fell the task
of collecting information. There was
| no difficulty about 1t.
! Astley PrlOrS was the property of
| DR.. Adams The doctor no longer
| practiccd. had retired. the landlord be-
| lieved, but he took a few private pa
! tients-here the good fellow tapped
his forehead knowingly-"balmy ones !!
| You understand, :" The doctor was
| popular figure in the village. sub
scribed freely to all the local soprts
| IA very pleasant, affable gentleman"
Tommy felt doubts. Was 1t possible
that this genial, well-known figure
could be in reality dangerous Grim
| inal? Suppose IL was all a gigantic
| mistake? Tommy felt cold chill at
the thought.
On the first evening Tommy, ac-
companled by Albert, explored the
grounds. They reached shrubbery
near the house quite unmolested.
The blinds of the dining room win
dow were up. There was a large com
pany assembled round the table. 1t
seemed normal, pleasant company.
Again Tommy felt that cold chill Of
uncertainty. 1t seemed impossible to
than they seemed. Had he been fooled
once more?
Tommy slept badly that night. The
next day Albert brought the first piece
of hopeful news There was French
young lady staying in the house Tom
my put his doubts aside Here was
confirmation of his theory. But time
pressed. Today was the 27th. The
10Th was the much-talked-of Labor
Day" about which all sorts of rumors
were running riot. Newspapers were
a labor coup d'etat were freely re-
ported. The government said nothing.
1t knew and was prepared.
Tommy felt that, thanks to Mr.. Car
ter, he understood the position fairly
accurately. With the fatal document
in the hands of Mr.. Brown, public
opinion would swing to the side of the
labor extremists and revOlutiOnists.
Failing that. the battle was an even
chance. The government with loyal
army and police force behind them
might win-but at cost of great suf-
fering. But Tommy nourished another
and preposterous dream. With Mr..
Brown unmasked and captured he be-
lieved, rightly or wrongly, that the
whole organization would crumble ig-
ANONYMOUSLY and instantaneously. The
strange permeating influence Of the
unseen chief held it together.
This is a one-man show said Tom
my to himself. "The thing to do is to
get hold of the man."
That evening he and Albert once
more penetrated the grounds of Ashley
Priors. Tommy's ambition was some
how or other to gain admission to the
house itself. AS they approached eau
tiousy, Tommy gave sudden gasp.
On the second floor window some