The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-02-26

TUCKER CAME AGAIN, ACCOM-
PANIED ny \ ENTLEAfAN
SOME YEARS HIS SENIOR
perate case. driven 10 the need of
making gamblers throw. u on
Sic one side he probably So, his head.
al least the stake they offered could
hardly have been greater
And they tempted him further by
revelations OF how FAR their prepare
tions were advanced and how thoro
these were.
A tap az the door interrupted them
Tucker bounded up. propelled By his
uneasy cuuspirp,or's conscience.
Rathhone. Too. glanced round un-
easily.
"why. what's 20 siartie your said
the colonel quietly. smiling 30 behold
their fears. 1T Is but my good hos
tess"
she cahe In from The common
room bearing a letter thar had just
been brought Tor Colonel HOLES.
He took 1t. wondering. then. Oh.
serving the great seal. little cofor
crspt into his cheeks lie spread the
sheet. and read. under The observing
eyes Of his friends and his hostess.
Twice he read that letter before he
spoke. The unexpected had hap
pencd. and Il had happened AZ the
eleventh hour. barely N time 70 AZ
rest him on the brink of what might
prove a prsciplcc.
Luck has stood your friend sooner
than We could have hoped" wrote
Alhemarle. - military post In the
Indies has. as learn from letters
Just received. fallen vacant. II u an
important command full worthy Of
your abilities. and there, overseas.
you will be safe from all inauisi.
tons. II you will wal, upon me here
az the Cockpit this afternoon. you
shall be further informed"
He begged his friends 70 excuse
him a moment. took pen. ink. and
paper from the aidcboard and quickly
wrote a few lines in answer.
When Mrs. Quinn had departed %
convey that note 20 tho messenger.
and the door had closed again. the
two uneasy conspirators started up.
Questions broke simultaneously from
both Of them. For answer HOLES
placed Albcmarie's letter on the
table. Tucker snaiehed II up. and
conned Il. whilst over his shoulder
Rathbone read Il. too.
At last Tucker lowered the sheet,
and his grave eyes fell again upon
HOLES
And you have answered-whatr''
he demanded.
That will wait upon his grac.
this afternoon as he requires OF me-
But 10 what endg" asked Raih
bone. You can't mean that you will
accept employment from govern.
ment that Is doomed"
The colonel shrugged AS have
told Tucker from the first, serve
governments; / do not make them.
But just now :" Tucker was
beginning.
81 wavcrcd. II Is true. But some
thing else has been flung into ths
scales" And he held up Aibemarie'i
letter.
They argued with him after that
but they argued vainly.
III ] am or value 10 your govern
meut when sou shall have essab
lished n. you VIII know where 4
find me; and you win know from
what has happened now that an
Trustworthy"
But your value 20 Us Is now. ir
the struggle that Is coming. And i
Is for this that VIC are prepared e
reward you richly"
lie was not. however. to be moved
Tho letter from Albemarle ha,
reached him an hour too soon.
AZ parting he assured them tina
their secret was safe with him. an,
that he would forget sll that the
had said. Since. still. they had dis
closed no vital facts whose bctraye
could Illustrate their purpose. II wa
an almost unnecessary assurance.
They stalked out rescntfully. Bu
Tucker returned alone a momen
later.
Randall" he said. 'ii may be tina
upon reflection YOU win come to Sc
the error Of linking yo,yscif 20
government that cannot endure. 4
the service Of a king against WHOM
the hand Of Heaven Is already raises
You may come 10 prefer the greai
ness that We offer you in the futur
20 this crust that Albcmarlc throw
you at the moment. II you arc wise
you will. n 70. you know where I
| find me. Seek me there. and be SUI
Of my welcome rs Of my friendship.
They shook hands and parted. an
with sigh and smile Hoiie
turned 20 load himself n pipe. u
was not. he thought. likely 10 Sc
Tucker again.
That afternoon he waited upon A
bemarle. who gave him particular
Of the appointment he had 30 offoi
II was an office Of importance. III