The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1923-04-07

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dersley Court. The roam was tathcr
dimly iiEhtcd. except FOR the heavily
shaded table Tampa Tho two foot
men had loft tho room. presumably
10 fetch the coffee. and tho butler
standing behind Lord Kindcrsloy'u
chair was the only servant IN at
tendance. Suddenly every light in
tho place went out. and We were
plunsed into tho most complete
darkness.
Never knew such thing 10 hap
pen before" our host declared IN an
annoyed tone. Somebody mus,
have been tinkerinE with tho power
house, Fetch some candles. ssarle. "
The butler turned 90 grippe his way
toward the door. but no was not al.
lowed 10 reach H. From various
parts OF the shadowy spaces on
every side OF us. little pin. points Of
hro hlazod out and steadily APP
preached. without sound or move.
ment one o. them came TO a stand.
atih Immediately behind Lord Kin
deruley's chair. Welded by some
unseen hand. the dazzling brilliRncy
Of a hiEh-powerrd electric torch was
flashed round upon ~ amaEed faces
Then a strong voice broke the spell
bound silence, voice still and cold
and perfectly modulatsd
Ladies and gentlemen" tho In.
,rudsT Haid. there IL no need for any
particular alarm. This L. 10 use a
slang phrase. 'holdup' We have
automatic pistols. and trust that
you will realize the ahsurdity Of 10.
slstance."
God bless my souii- Lord Kinder
sley exclaimed. -whoro are all my
seryantsr How tho devl did you SGT
lnT-
Il, II scarcely policy 20 let you
Into the secret OF our methods" the
sams cold voice continued: "but 1
have no objection 60 telling you that
We came Ia thru tho front door. that
your servants are locked up and
guarded In tho servants hall very
much an you aro. that your teie-
phone wires are cut. your electric.
light supply ID In our hands. and tho
lodge-gates guarded You ladies' viii
kindly place all tho jewelry you arc
wearing. upon the table In mont OF
you. There mus, be no delay. please.
or any attempt at ooncealmont-"
What shall do tho woman
next TO me whispered hoarsely. II
am wearing my emcrads-Jack Inn
plored me not to-they arc worth
10000 pounds"
you viii have 10 DO as the others
arc doing" told her. The first act
Of this little drama must b played
out according 10 orders"
She unelaspcd the necklace with
trembling fingers. and the unseen
figure behind Lord Kinderaley's
chair spoke again.
"wlli Il be Sir Norman Grryes
who struts across the stage In tho
second aetT' be asked moekinEiy.
Then ] knew who was there. and I
remembered that Michael had sworn
70 take my life when and how tho
opportunity offered was an easy
mark for him. sitting there. but
somehow the idea OF a.saAanAtion
never had any terrors for me.
i may occupy tho stage for
little time" I answered. feeling for
my wine thru the darkness. But
altar All, II win b IN. third act that
countA Which win you choose.
wonder. srichasl-shs Eailows at
wsndsworth oaol or the electric
chair AT sing slngg-
This, OF course. was sheer brayado.
q touch OF mslodrana OF which I re-
psnted an soon as had INDUCED In
H. heard tho click OF a weapon.
and in tho steady glare Of tha, small
circle OF light I saw the fash upon
It's barrel as II drew level with my
head There was n silence as poiK-
nant an II was hyatsHeal: then cry
from Janet rang thru tho room.
"A familiar voice. fancy" MI
ehasl said colby as he lowered his
weapon. You do wen 10 intervene.
dear lady. Some day or other. I
think that your husband viii kill me
or ! him: but unless Ia hunts ma
with a posse Of policemen. II will bs
when no are both armed and the
odds arc even"
May speak. pieassi'' Beatrice
KindcrNicy asked
Il have put my rings and brace
lots upon tho table. | am wearing
around my neck miniature 70; with
brilllants. IL Is not really very vaIti-
able. but It was left mo by relative.
May keep it7'
Tho light flashed for moment
upon tho pendant which SHE seemed
10 be- holding forward for e1aininA-
ton. flashed on the little hsap Of her
jcweIry upon the table.
Pray keep your miniature tho
voice conceded. DO me the further
honor. IL you will. Of replacing your
jewelry upon your fingers and
wrists. We are not here 10 rob chill
dren Of their baubleA"
Beatrice's laugh was q most arnaz-
Ing thing. II was perfectly natural
and full Of amused enjoyment.
Il don't like the reflection upon
my iewelry." she complained How
ever, since you are 30 generous
will accept your offer"
Look here" Lord Kindersiey
broke out. finding certain courage
from his niece's complete composurc.
Is this practical joker"
You will discover IL Il IL a pracc-
cal Joke or not, II you attempt 20
leave your seatl" was tho instant ro-
ply.
These fellows can't think they're
going to get away with n thing like
this" muttored Lord Harroden. the
lord Lieutenant OF the county. from
the other end OF tho table.
"Your lordshlp is mistaken" was
the confident reply from the unseen
figure who was directing the pro-
coodings. II will lay you five TO
ono In hundreds that wo do. pay
mont 10 be made thru the peraonai