Evening star., 1923-07-26

Timothy remarked, as he leaned over
the side: "Ah, ] see that even IN ms
overcoat our friend is swimmer
enough to reach the bank. You hnd
pur methods harsh. Ledsam?" he
asked, turning a challenging gaze TO-
ward the latter.
Francis. who had been watching
Shopland come to the surface. shrug-
ged his shoulders. He delayed an
swering for moment while ne
watched the detective, diSdainlng the
Hfe-belt, swim TO the opposite snore'
II suppose that under the circum-
stances" Francis said, 'he was pre-
pared to take his risk"
You should know best about that,
Sir Timothy rejoined Il wonder
whether you would mind looking att
er Lady Cynthia? | shall be busy Tor
a few moments.
Francis stepped across the deck
toward where Lady Cynthia had been
sitting by her hosts side. They had
passed into the mouth of tree-hung
strip Of the river. The engine was
suddenly shut off. 4 gong was sound
ed. There was a murmur, almost
sob of relief as the little sprinkltng
Of men and women rose hastily 10
their feet and made their way to-
ward tie companion-way. Down
stairs. in the saloon. with its Wh1te
satinwood panels and rows OF swing
chairs, heavy curtains We're drawn
across the portfolios. all outside light
was shut out from the place AT the
further end raised slightly from the
floor, was a sanded circle. Sir Tim
othy made his way to one OF the phi
lars by it's side and turned around TO
face the little company of his guests
His voice. though it seemed scarcely
raised above a whisper, was eAtraor-
dinarily clear and distinct. Even
Francis. who, with Lady Cynthia. had
found seats only just inside tine door
could hear every word he said.
l. ~ II
often before been my guests at Such
small fights as we have been able to
arrange in as unorthodoN manner
as possible between professional box
ers. There has been some novelty
about them, but on the last occasion
I think it was generally observed
that they had become a little too
professional. Il little ltra-scientitic.
There was something which they
lacked With that something ! am
Thank you, Sir Edgar" he murmur-
ed, leaning down toward his neigh
Dor.
lie held his cigarette in the fame
of Il. match which the other had KIN
died. Francis, who was watching in
tently, was puzzled at the expression
with which for IA moment. as he
Strengthened himself. Sir Timothy
glanced down the room. seeking for
Lady Cynthias eyes. In sense ii
something he needed-approbation
sympathy. understanding.
our hobby, as you know, has been
reality. he continued. That is what
we have not always been able to
achieve. Tonight | offer you reality.
There are two men here, one an East
End coster, the other an Italian until
lately associated with an itinerant
vehicle of musical production. These
two men have not outlived sensation
IA nf have
hate one another to the death. | for
get their SurnameS. but Giuseppe has
stolen Jim's girl. is living with her
at the present moment and proposes
to keep her. Jim has sworn to have
the lives of both of them. jim 8
career in its way. is interesting TO
us. He has spent already six years
in prison for manSlauShter, and a
year for brutal assault upon con
stable. Giuseppe was tried in his
native country for particularly
fendish murder. and escaped. owing,
believe. to some legal technicality.
That, however, has nothing to DO with
the matter These men have SWorL
to fight TO the death, and the GIRL L
understand. is willing to return 10
Jim if he should be successful, or 10
remain with Giuseppe # he should
show himself able to retain her. The
fight between these men, my friends.
has been transferred from Seven Dlals
for your entertainment. 1t Will take
place before you here and now.
There was a little shiver amongst
the audienc Francis, almost to ms
horror. was unable to resist the feel
ing OF queer excitement which stole
through his veins. a few yards away,
Lady Isabel seemed to have become
transformed. She was leaning ioT-
ward in her chair her eyes glowing,
her lips parted. rejuvenated, dehu-
manfzed Francis immediate COM
uanion, however, rather surprised
him. Her eyes were fixed lntentiy
upon Sir Timothys She seemed to
have been weighing every word ne
had spoken. There was none of that
hungry pleasure in her face Whlch
shone from the other woman's and
was reflected in the faces of many
of the Others, She seemed to be brac-
ing herself for a shock. Sir Timothy
looked over his shoulder toward the
door which opened upon the sanded
space.
You can bring your men along"
he directed.
one of the attendants promptly
made his appearance He was mold
ing tightly by the arm a man of ap-
parectly thirty years OF age, shab-
billy dressed, barefooted, without col
lar or necktie, with a mass of blac K
hair which looked as thought 1T had
ESCAPED the care of any barber for
many weeks. His complexion was
saIlow; he had high cheekbones and
a receding chin. which gave him rath-
er the appearance OF a fox. He
srank a little from the lights as
though they hurt his eyes. and all the
time he looked furtively back to the
door through which in moment or
two is rival was presently escorted.
The latter was a young man OF
stockier build, ill-conditioned, and
with the brutal face of the lowest of
his class Two of his front teeth were
missing, and there was livid mark
on the side of his cheek. He looked
neither to the right nor to the left
His eyes were fixed upon the other
man, and they looked death.
The gentleman who first ap-
peared," Sir Timothy observed, step
ping up into the sanded' space but
still half facing the audience, lis
Giuseppe, the Lothario of this little
act, The other is Jim the wronged
Now. Jim he added. turning toward
the Englshman, II put in your
trousers pocket these notes, two hun.
dred pounds, you will perceive:
place in the trousers pocket of Gui-
] understand you have little quar-
rel to fight out. The one who wins
will naturally help himself to the
others money, together with thai
other little reward which I imagine
Now let them CO."
Sir Timothy resumed his seat anG
leaned back in leisurely fashion. The
twoa attendants solemnly released
their captives. There was moment:
fencing for position. There wa:
something stealthy and horrible abou
their movements as they crept arount
one another. Francis realized wha
it was almost as the little sobbint
breath from those of the audienc'
Sti1l rataiDed anV apotiOn