The Dolores star., 1923-11-16
lhe Secret Adversary
CHAPTER x-continued.
-13-


asked the German.
Several" replied Tommy. Look
mere, you've been asking me . lot of
questions. Let me ask you one for
change. Why don't you kill me off
1t once before I regained conscious
nessY
The German hesitated, and Tommy
'eized his advantage.
Because you didn't know how
much l knew-and where l obtained
ny knowledge. II you kill me now. YOU
never will know. How did l get into
this place? Remember what dear old
Conrad said-with your own pass
word. wasn't It? How did get hold
II that2 You don't suppose came
ip those steps haphazard and said the
arst thing that came into my head?"
THAT Is true" said the working
nan suddenly. Comrades, we have
been betrayed"
An ugly murmur arose Tommy
Imiled at them encouraglngly.
That's better. How can you hope
ion't use your brains?"
"You will tell us who has betrayed
49," said the German. But that shall
aot save you-oh, no, You shall tell
IS all that you know. Boris, here,
rnows pretty ways of making people
Ipeak!"
BAH" said Tommy scornfuIly fight
ng down a singularly unpleasant feel
ng In the pit of his stomach. you
will neither torture me nor kill me-"
"And why not?' asked Boris.
because you'd kill the goose that
lays the golden eggs" replied Tommy
quietly.
"What do you meanW
"What do you think meanp" par
lied Tommy. searching desperately in
his own mind
Suddenly Boris stepped forward,
and shook his fist in Tommy's face.
Speak, you swine of an English
nnn-speak
Don't get so excited. my good fel-
low" said Tommy calmly. That's the
worst of you foreigners. You can't
keep calm. Now, | ask you, do
look as though I thought there were
the least chance OF your killing meT
He looked confidently round. and
was glad they could not hear the per-
slstent beating of his heart which
gave the lie to his words.
mo" admitted Boris at last sui
lenly. "you do not"
"Thank God, he's not mind
reader" thought Tommy. Aloud he
pursued his advantage:
"And why am I so confident? Be
cause know something that puts me
in position to propose a bargain"
"A bargain?" The bearded man
took him up sharply.
"Yes-a bargain. My life and lib
erty against" He paused.
Against what?"
1.-THE group pressed forward. You
could have heard pin drop.
Slowly Tommy spoke.
1.-THE papers that Danvers brought
over from America in the Lusitania.'
The effect of his words was cleo
trical. Everyone was on his feet. The
German waved them back. He leaned
over Tommy, his face purple with ex-
element
"Hlmmel! You have got them,
them"
With magnificent calm Tommy shock
his head.
"You know where they are" per-
sisted the German.
Again Tommy shook his head. mot
In the least"
"Then-then-" angry and bafIled,
the words failed him.
Tommy looked round. He saw an
ger and bewilderment on every face,
but his calm assurance had done It's
work-no one doubted but that some
thing lay behind his words.
~ don't know where the papers are
but believe l can find them. II
produce the papers-you give me my
life and liberty in exchange. Is it
bargain?'
"And If we refuse?'' said the Ger
man quietly.
Tommy lay back On the couch,
"The 29th," he said thoughtfully,
"is less than fortnight ahead
For a moment the German hesl-
tated Then he mafe sign to Conrad.
"Take him into the other ROOM
For five minutes Tommy sat on tne
bed in the dingy room next door. MS
heart was beating violently. He had
risked all or this throw. HOY would
they decide?
AT last the door openen. and the
German called imperiouslt 10 Conrad
to return.
Tne German was seafei once more
behind the table. He motioned 10
Tommy to sit down opJH'site to MIN.
ave accept" he sgd harshly' "on
terms. The papers -aust be delivered
to us before you go free"
Idiot! !" said Tommy amiaDly'
"How do you .hlnk l can look for
49,, 40 ,.o,, Aap me tied by the leg