The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-02-02

plunge. A razor ana excalirnt toilet
requisites were eel upon the dressing
table. and willis, hts imagination
whispered that the Roap nigh, DO
poisoned and the razor possess a ssp.
tic blade. be shaved. and having
shaved. lighted his pipe and rcdressed
himself at leisure.
Hs had nearly completed his toilet
wien a slIEht sound IN tho outer
room arrested his attention. He turn
cd sharply. stepping thru Tho door.
why
a low carved tnhia the only one
which tho apartment boaztsd dis
played an excellent English breahfasi
laid upon a spo,lcas cover.
Harley held his pipe In his hand.
and contemplated tho rcpast- II wan
only logical TO suppose Il 10 be In
nocuous. and a keen appetite hast
ened the issue lie siceracked his
suspicion. and made an excellon;
breakfast so the frat day Of his
captivity began.
Ho resumed bis pipe and smiled
philosophicaily. He had hoped TO SEQ
tho table disappear beneath tho floor.
As evidence tina, he was constantly
watched, this had occurred during n
brief visit which he had made 10 tho
bedroom In quest OF matches.
When he returned the table was in
It's former place. but tho cover had
been removed. He carefully examin.
cd the floor beneath Il. and realized
that there wns no hope OF depressing
the trap from above Then. at On
hour which he judged 10 be that OF
noon, the same voice addressed him
from beyond the gilded screen.
Mr.. Paul HIarley7"
Yes. what have you TO nayr'
by this time. Mr.. Harley. you
must have recognized that opposition
Is futile. At any moment wo could
visit death upon you. Escape. on the
other hand. Is out OF the question.
We desire you no harm. For diplo
matte reasons, we should prefer you
to live. Our cause Is sacred one.
DO not mlstudge by minor Incidents.
A short statement and copy OF your
English testament shall be placed
upon the table. II you wish"
81 do not WISH" Paul Harley re
turned.
rs that your last word. Mr.. Har.
ley7 We warn you that the third
time Of nsking will be tho last time"
This Is my last word"
'"your own life is not the only stake
at issue"
what do you mean7'
you will learn what VIC mean, IL
you insist upon Withholding your con-
sent until We next Invite IT,"
Nevertheless. you may regard II
as withheld. definitely and finally"
Silence fell. and Paul Harley knew
himself TO be once more alone.
Luncheon appeared upon the table
whilst he was washing in tho bath.
room. Remembering the change In
tho tone. Of the unseen speakers
voice. no avoided touching anything.
From the divan, thru half-closed
eyes, he examined every inch OF tho
walls, seeking for the spy.hole thru
which he knew himself to be watch
cd. He detected II at last: a little
grating. liko a yentilator. immediate.
ly above him where he sat This
communicated with some room whore
silent watcher was constantly on
duty!
Paul Harley gave no sign that he
had made this discovery. But al.
ready his keen wits were at work
upon a plan. He watched the bar of
light fading. fading until. judging
II TO DO dinner time, no retired dis
creotly.
When no returned. he found din
nor spread upon the table.
He spent the night in tho iIttlo cell.
like bcdchambcr. and bis second day
Of captivity began as the first had
begun.
For his cinner he had eaten moth.
ing but bread and fruit For his
breakfast he ate an egg and drank
water from the tap In the bathroom
His plan was now nearing compile
ton. Only one point remained doubt.
full
! Continued In Our Next Issue