The Dolores star., 1923-12-07

from abandoning the case, as julius
supposed, he had by some means Of
his own successfully run the missing
girl to earth. The only thing that
puzzled Tommy was the reason for all
this secrecy.
julius was speaking.
After dinner" he announced, 81
shall go right away and see Jane"
That will be impossible, fear"
said Sir James. ut is very unlikely
they would allow her to see visitors
at this time of night. l should suG-
gest tomorrow morning about ten
o'clock
Julius flushed. There was some
thing in Sir james which always
stirred him to antagonism.
"All the same. reckon I'll go
round there tonight and see If | can't
ginger them up to break through their
silly rules"
1T will be quite useless. Mr.. Her
shemmer.''
The words came out like the crack
Of a pistol, and Tommy looked up
with start. Julius was nervous and
excited. The hand with which he
raised his glass to his lips shook
slightly, but his eyes held Sir james
defiantly. For a moment the hostility
between the two seemed likely TO
burst into flame, but in the end Julius
lowered his eyes. defeated.
''For the moment. I reckon you're
the boss"
Thank you" said the other. 1--WE
will say ten o'clock them" With con
summate ease of manner he turned to
Tommy. IL must confess, Mr.. Beres-
ford. that IT was something Of Il sur
prise to me to see you here this
evening. The last heard of you was
that your friends were in grave anX-
iety on your behalf. Nothing had been
heard of you for some days, and Miss
Tuppence was inclined to think you
had got into difficulties"
II had, sir" Tommy grinned rem-
niscently. 81 was never in tighter
place in my life"
Helped out by questions from Sir
James, he gave an abbreviated account
of his adventures. The lawyer looked
at him with renewed interest as he
brought the tale to a close.
You got yourself out of tight
place very we'll" he said gravely "a
congratulate you. You displayed a
great deal Of ingenuity and carried
your part through we'll"
Tommy blushed, his face assuming
a prawn-like hue at the praise.
And since then? What have you
been doing?"
For moment, Tommy stared at
MIN. Then it dawned on him that of
course the lawyer did not know.
81 forgot that you didn't know about
Tuppence," he said slowly.
The lawyer laid down his knife and
fork sharply.
Has anything happened to Miss
Tuppence?" His voice was keen
edged.
She's disappeared" said Julius.
"When?"
"A week ago"
"How?"
Sir James questions fairly shot out
Between them Tommy and Julius gave
the history of the last week and their
futile search
Sir James went at once to the root
of the matter.
"a wire signed with your name?
They knew enough of you both for
that. They weren't sure of how much
you had learnt in that house Their
kidnapping of Miss Tuppence is the
counter-mOve to your escape. If
necessary they could seal your lips
with a threat of what might happen
to her."
That's Just what ] thought, sir"
Sir James looked at him keenly
you had worked that out, had you?
Not bad-not at all bad. The curious
thing is that they certainly did not
know anything about you when they
first held you prisoner. You are sure
that you did not in any way disclose
your IDENTIFY"
Tommy shook his head
That's So said Julius with a nod,
therefore I reckon some one put
them wise-and not earlier than Sun
day afternoon"
"Yes, but who?"
''That almighty omniscIent Mr.
Brown, of courser'
There was a faint note Of derislon
In the Americans voice which made
Sir james look up sharply.
you don't believe in Mr.. Brown. Mr.
Hersheimmer?'
mo. sir, l do not" returned the
young American with emphasis. mot
as such. that is to say. ! reckon II
out that he's figurehead-just bogy
name to frighten the children with
The real head of this business is thar
Russian chap Kramenin."
II disagree with you" said Sir
James shortly. "Mr. Brown exists e"
He turned to Tommy. Did you han.
pen to notice where that wire was
handed in?"
mo, sir, I'm afraid didn't"
Him. Got it with youf'
"Tt'S upStoirS sir in NV kftD