Evening star., 1927-10-27

a stranger-a stranger e let in at the
foreign sercretary's that overheard a
talk as wasn't meant for is ears, and
so it is with all the rest of us. We're
ere because we can't 'elp ourselves
Ow! Ear that foghorn! I know we
shall be run down"
Political prisoners on a grim sort Of
unofficial parole! Janet eyed the girl
speculatively. She had been amen
least. Was her fear Of Marriott too
great for her to be susceptible now?
Lucy" she began tentatively, do
you know who / ann"
Eyes, miss. We all do. Your IA
ther-"
She hesitated and Janet said:
go on, Lucy, what do you know
about my father?"
les a very clever gentleman"
The maid was choosing her words
carefully. There's no comparing i'm
and lis friends with that other mob of
crooks, and e never lets down is
pals"
Janet allowed the allusion to pass
and seized upon the final phrase.
HE protects and rewards any one
who does him a service, and Mr.. Mar
lott and his friends couldn't touch
them. You are not watched-you
could slip away easily"
"Oh, miss, I'd never dare" Lucy
cried. Besides. we don't know where
we're going!'
eff the opportunity comes, I have
money to take you to my home and
tell my fathers friends there what
has happened to me. They will take
care of you until my father reaches
there and he will pay you thousands!
You will be free forever from Mr..
Marriott and those who are back Of
him."
The maid shuddered and her voice
was a mere whisper.
There was woman once as tried
1t! She was in with a gang as wanted
to nab some of 'er ma ajesty's Jewels
topnotchers they was, the best swipes
in the business-but they got 'er
the same as me, and after a year she
sold 'em out. She was a rare, and.
some woman, with coal black air and
as steady a nerve as a man, but-but
when she was found wandering on the
moorland FER air was white and 'er
mind gone forever. I'd be afraid to
chance it, miss!'
Before Janet could speak again there
came knock on the door, and when
Lucy replied to it Mariott's voice
sounded in a quick, curt undertone.
The maid uttered a sharp exclama-
ton and went out, and the key was
turned in the lock once more
The sound of foghorns and whistles
had become less frequent now and
farther away, but an eerie, uncanny
light filled the cabin and the fog was
like an impenetrable curtain, almost
thick enough to be felt, with a strange
lurid glow through it.
Janet had CLEANED one significant
fact. Marriott drew his recruits from
the ranks Of criminals by protecting
them from the law outside of which
he himself must stand. She turned
this over and over in her mind while
the minutes heightened into an hour
and still Lucy did not return.
What could be keeping the girl?
Janet wondered with growing uneasi.
ness and then rang the bell.
Marriott himself responded to the
summons.
Did you want your maid?" he
asked. Il regret that Lucy cannot
return. brought her along for YOUR
convenience, but you have required
services Of her which she cannot per.
form. I am afraid you must manage
without her."
So he had been listening! Janet
shrugged.
VERY well. 1t doesn't really mat
ter. Oh, what Is that?"
A shrill blast had sounded from the
murky silence and all at once the
engines low humming increased to O.
roar and the boat leaped forward like
a live thing in the water.
"A race, l fancy" Marriott re-.
sponded dryly. THAT means pur.
suitv'