Evening star., 1925-10-11

senuity. Even when all had failed
at last. he still seemed proud of
that9 He was popular in the neigh
borhood of Hidden Hall Court and
had got hold Of a constable at
Ardry- Mare without difficulty. Fan
ny Gillett had promised her help for
love of Kennedy Haste 1t was she
who took Pandora back to the Court
from the police station at Ardry-le
Mare, where the girl had been drug
gedl. And at first the plan had work
ed on oiled wheels
Magnani had suggested the honey
moon invitation to Don, urging that
II would heap Goals of fire" on Ewes
head.
AS for the brides disappearance,
that had been brought about with the
utmost simplicity. He had been on
the spot, playing the part of Marianti,
and had discussed with Fanny several
ways Of stage managing the vanish
ing act. But. having overheard
Ewes suggestion to sing to her huS-
band while the latter remained in
the dining room, it had seemed as
If fate were playing into his hands.
While the pair talked at the table
of their first meeting at the Ritz.
hulriedly he took off his wig and
makeup. And in his own character
he had silently shown himself to Eve
at the secret door in the paneling
his finger on his lip. Then, with
smile and an air of playful mystery,
he had heckoned. Entering into the
supposed joke, excited and curious,
she had obeyed the summons Even
halfway down the concealed stairway
she had willingly followed There he
had seized the girl. and. pressing over
her face a prepared mask filled with
Rawdons new anesthetic, he had
stlhed her into Inconsistencies. The
rest-getting Eve down to the hid
den hall"-was not difficult. The one
dangerous moment. came when pass
ing the laboratory. Rawdon was
there. as Magnani knew better than
any one else. But the door was shut.
and no contretemps happened. In the
room with the unconscious girl he
had replaced his white wig and
part of his damaged makeup He
had made wound in his arm. ac-
cordinS TO plan. stained boot of
Rawdon'S which had been secreted.
and rushed upstairs to the tapestry
boudoir, in which, as 1t was seldom
opened, he would be safe for a mo.
ment. As Dagon surmised he had
taken impression of Rawdon's finger
prints. having a plaster cast of his
hand. All these materials. and the
use in a different plan, but this
chance had been too good to miss
Three minutes in the tapestry boudoir
were enough. Paolo returned to the
cellar. stuffed the skeleton (which he
mad waiting there in an unused box
and the pair of boots into the fur
mace fire. where already Rawdon had
placed the leather bag. Then Mag
mani got to his own room. long be-
fore the alarm was given.
There he carefully renewed Mari
anti's damaged appearance and was
ready innocently to discover" the
open panel in the music room
Pandora's taking upon herself Raw
don's supposed guilt was the first
hitch In Magnani's program. He had
done his best to thwart her by brib
ing the constable and mandeering
Fanny's help. Mrs. Gillett had shown
herself "tiresome,' but she was in
his power. Then it had been a seri.
Gus blow when the skeleton had been
proved to be that of man. Masnani
had. however, piled up more evidence
against Rawdon, whom he still hoped
to eliminate.
And so l should have done" he
finished at last. IF it hadn't been for
that devil Dagon and the girl Pan
dora. l have to thank those two for
my ruin.
And we have to thank them for
our salvation,'' said Haste.
Yes sneered MaGanini Yes, |
suppose you sentimentals will now
contrive to live happily forever after
all five of YOU. Though | don't see
how my dear Rawdon and the right
ful heir can juggle the estates and
title without the whole business com
ing out"
Meaning me by the "rightful
heir'?' Dagon flung back. Gosh,
what. would l do with title? And
wouldn't have this wicked old ghost
ridden house for a gift. When |
settle down I'll have a villa in italy.
But I'm hanged If I'll ever 20 to
movie show anywhere for fear | see
the grinning' mug of Signor Paolo
Magnani. My sister will he Lady
Wells. That's enough for me. And
any rights | might have in Hidden
Hall Court | make over to her. Now
m going to put you neck and crop
out of this house, Magnani. in the
company of Miss Gillett. Then we
can begin the happy forever after
business. And the honeymoon can go
on as if it had never been inter
rupted."
"Dagon. you're wonderful" said
Rawdon Wells
Brother, l love YOU" said Pandora
Haste.
THE END.
Consumption Of cigarettes in China