The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-12-27

by his electric torch of the ground on
the other side revealed a jungle of
weeds in either direction.
Suddenly came an idea that was
born of emergency. Swar1ning up the
tree to where its dense foliage began,
he perched upon a stout bough and
waited.
Three minutes later came a blaze
of light through the gathering dark
ness, and the car which he had last
seen at the Savoy was turned into
the drive, and presently glided smooth
~ -aGst him below
The interior lights were extin-
guished. SO that he was unable to
discern the occupants. The house 1t.
self was also unilluminated And when
the car pulled up before the porch,
less than ten yards from his obser.
walton post, he could not have recog.
nized the persons who descended and
entered Hillside. Indeed, only by the
sound of the closing door did he know
that they had gone in. But two fig
ures were easily discenrible; and he
judged them to be those of Armuz
Khan and his secretary. He waited
patiently, and ere long the limousine
was turned in the little courtyard be-
fore the porch and driven out into
the lane again. He did not fail to
note that, the lane regained, the
chauffeur headed. not toward Lower
Claybury, but away from IL.
He retained his position until the
of he in he
distance. and was about to descend
when he detected the sound of sec
ond approaching car!
This was another limousine, It's most
notable characteristic being that the
blinds were drawn in all the windows.
On this occasion, when the chauf
feur stepped around and opened the
door. only one passenger alighted.
Presently the second car was
driven away, pursuing the same d.
rection as the first. Hot upon IFS
departure came the drone of a third.
The windows OF the third car also
exhibited drawn blinds. As it passed
beneath him he stified an exclama-
ton of triumph. Vaguely, nebu
lousy. the secret of this dread thing
FireTongue. which had uplifted It's
head in England appeared before his
minds eye. II was only necessary
for him to assure himself that the
latest visitor had been admitted tn
the house the next move became pos
sible. Accordingly he changed his
position settling himself more com
fOrtably upon the bough. And now
he watched the three cars perform
each TWO journeys to some spot or
spots unknown. and, returning. de-
post their passengers before the
porch OF Hillside. The limousine used |
by Ormuz Khan, upon its second APP /
pearance had partaken Of the same /
popularity as the others: There /
we're blinds drawn inside the win /
lows
Paul Harley believed that he I'M
1erstood precisely what this signi- |
fed, and when, after listening intent
Y in the stiffness of the night he 7
tailed to detect sounds OF any other |
approach. he descended to the path |
and stole toward the dark house.
Passing gently from window to |
his quest ultimately earned 1
Is reward. Through a crack in one 4
IF the shutters a dim light shone out. |
At first ne could hear nothing. but. /
his investigation being aided by the |
stiffness of the night, he presently be !
came aware that a voice was speak |
ing within the room-deliberately,
unsteady. The beating OF his heart /
seemed to make his body throb to |
he very finger tips. He had recog- |
nized the voice to be the voice Of |
Ormuz Khan,
Now. his sense of hearing becom. |
ing attuned to the muffied tones. he |
began to make out syllables. words. /
and, finally, sentences.
My God.' he whispered He drew /
his automatic swiftly from his pocket. |
and. pressed against the wall beside /
the window, looked about him as a |
man looks who finds himself sur
rounded by enemies
Paul Harley retreated step by step
to the bushes. He held the pistol |
tightly clenched in his right haid.
He had heard his own death sen. |
tence pronounced and he knew that |
it was likely to be executed.