Evening star., 1924-07-17

And. all unsuspeeting that was
within a few feet - literally - OF
them, they sat down on bank just
behind the hedge where / was hid
den, and they talked. A good lot of
what they said was incomprehensible
to me, but l made this out--that they
were very anxious to get hold OF
vanished, they'd laid fine lot to
entrap her secretary that very night,
and were going to waylay him just
above as he returned from FOOLS
errand to Winchester on which
"Ah." said |. so that was their
work"
Seems So" answered Peyton.
Well. ! heard enough to know that
you and Miss Manson were in danger.
They wanted to question her. too,
about Lady Rencrdsmere. Fortu-
nately, instead of sitting in one place
all the time, they got up and began
to stroll around bit. Fortunately,
too. Id left my wheel on the other
across-I'm an old hand at woodcraft
and ! got that wheel down the side
of a hedge and into road and
made tracks for the nearest village
I'd the luck to hit on policeman
there that was a right smart man.
We got on the telephone to the police
sta ton at Mallant, few miles away,
and within half an hour that sergeant
was along in a fast car with the
other men. and all well armed. And
we just came up here. say!
Who do you suppose those fellows
are? Because I've been reading the
papers more than usual since l came
down this way and I've got an idea.
Well, and what is your idea" l
asked.
My idea is that those three are
mixed up with these London muir
ders." he answered There were
cryptic reference in their talk--I
heard name mentioned"
What name?
"Holliment. That was the first man
who was murdered.
Il don't think there's the least
doubt that these three fellows are
members of the gang" I said I've
felt sure of it from the moment they
Just So" he agreed. I'm certain
of it, too. But, as | tell YOU. I've
lately read your newspapers closely
and followed up these cases, and.
granting that these three are mem
bers of the gang, there's now big
question strikes me. Does it strike
you?'
Il should want to know what it is
before | could answer that l said.
What is the question:
He looked from one to the other of
us, and in the moonlight his keen
face took on keener expression.
where's the Chinaman?' he said.
THE Chinaman who broke into Holli-
ment's store at Portsmouth and COM
pletely disappeared Immediately after?
For the Chinaman's at the
bottom of all this. The Chinaman's
behind those fellows. They're
Instruments.
aIker had come up with the car.
He was plainly impatient to be off.
and l knew why. That neighborhood
had its terrors for him. Never again
would Walker come round about the
AdmiraIs Folly if he could help IL.
He was nervous still and suspicious
of Peyton, and he made SO bold as to
nudge my elbow. Peyton saw the ac-
tion and turned on him.
Make yourself easy. my friend"
he said with laugh. There are no
more bandits about, and if there were
I've got II little Instrument in my hip
pocket that would quiet them. Look
mere, just YOU idnt Your car nice and
SOFTLY down 10 the bottom of that dip.
You'll see d grove OF trees there. Ny
wheels just inside the gate. Put her
aboard your ear and We'll join you in
a minute. Now" he went on the
chauffeur promptly obeyed orders,
that's what | say. Miss Manson and
Mr.. Cranage-where' the Chinaman?
Those three fellows are his instru-
ments-partners-factotums-but he's
the boss. Your police have got them,
but he's at large. And as long as
he's at large-eh?"
Just So" ! agreed. as we slowly
followed Walker down the hill. THE
Chinaman is without doubt at the bot
tom of it. But you seem TO know
more about ii in some ways than |