The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1925-11-27
CHAPTER XV-Continued

never IdTIleE IFOLl IL III Ivy Lie
Haverton," said the other. II admit
it seems bit over the odds, but every
word I've told you is gospel. To re-
turn to the discoveries. McIver found
that the house was the headquarters
of vast criminal organization. There
were schemes of the most fantastic
descriptions cut and dried in every de-
tail. Some of them were stupid: some
were not. / have them all here. This
one"-he glanced through some papers
on his desk-"concerns the blowing of
large gap in one Of the returning
walls of the big reservoir at Staines.
This one concerns perfectly-thought-
out plot on your life when you go to
Beauchamp hall next week. You were
to be found dead in your railway car
rage"
"What? roared Sir John, springing
to his feet.
sit would very likely have failed"
said Sir Bryan calmly, but they would
have tried again. They don't like you
or your views at all-these gentlemen.
But those are the least important.
From time immemorial wild, fanatical
youths have done similar things: the
danger was far greater and more sub
lie. And perhaps the most dangerous
activity Of all was what have spoken
about already-Maybrick hall was the
headquarters of these poisonous pro-
letarian Sunday schools But in addt-
ton to that there was forgery going
on there on a big scale: money is
necessary for their activities. There
were also long lists Of their agents in
different parts Of the country, and de-
tailed instructions for fomenting in
dustrial unrest. But you have it all
there-you can read it at your leisure
for yourself. Particularly l commend
to your notice, the series of pamphlets
on Ireland. and the methods suggested
for promoting discord between Eng
land and France, and England and
America"
Sir Bryan Lit cigarette.
ITO return to the personal side Of it.
McIyer, engrossed in his search, paid
very little attention to the row Of
mummies in the hall. They certainly
seemed extraordinarily safe. and one
can hardly blame him. But the fact
remains that, at some period during
the morning. the Italian. who. If you
remember, was padlocked in bed
\room upstairs, escaped. How I can't
tell You: he must have had key In
his pocket They found the paddock
16pen, and the room empty. And going
|Adownstairs they found the chairs re-
ycently occupied by the clergyman and
Miss Janet empty also. Moreover from
that moment no trace of any of them
has been found. 1t is as If the earth
had opened and swallowed them.
Which brings us to the packet en-
closed with the letter from the leader
of the Black Gang"
He crossed to safe and took out
the little chamois leather bag of dia-
monds.
'Nice stones" he remarked quietly
worth literally kings ransom. The
pink one is part of the Russian crown
jewels: the remainder belonged TO the
Grand Duke Georgius, who was MUIR
dered by the Bolshevists. His son.
who had these in his possession. died
ten days ago of an overdose of Il
sleeping draught in Amsterdam. At
least that is what understood until
received these. Now l am not so sure.
would go further. and say l am quite
sure that even If he did>die Of an oveH-
dose, II was administered by someone
else. And it was administered by the
beneticent Clergyman calling himself
the Reverend Theodosius Longmoor-
the most amazing International Grim
lnal of this or any other age-the man
who, with Miss Janet and the Italian,
has vanished into thin air, right under
McIyer's nose"
"And you mean to say this man has
been in England and, you haven't laid
him by the heels?" said Sir John In
creddlously.
Unfortunately that s,what mean. "
answered the other. 1.-The police of
four continents know about him, but
that's a very different thing from
proof. This time we have proof
..r-these diamonds: and the man
has vanished-utterly and completely.
He Is the master mind who controls
and directs. but very rarely actually
does anything himself. That's why
he's so devilishly difficult to catch. But
we'll do it sooner or later"
The cabinet minister was once more
studying the typewriter communica-
ton from the leader of the Black
Gang.
It's the most astounding affair,
this, tombstone" he said at length.
Most astounding. And what's all
this about the island off the coast of
Mull?"
Sir Bryan laughed.
Not the least astounding part of
the whole show, assure you. But for
you to understand 1t better must go
back two or three months, to the time
u l.