The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1927-02-01

share In the coup had been the
most dangerous Of any, and to
betray the least inkIing OF It
would result In his own destruc.
ton. But Vereker insisted on
an answer. and they looked
hopefully at their chief.
This stroke OF policy was nee.
essary. Vereker," Mulholland
said. his voice bland. but his eyes
MEMORABLE. unless some scape,
goat had been convicted, we
should never have been safe. "
Sinclair Vereker shrugged his
shoulders and gave q little sigh.
II have but one more common
dalton to make" said MuIholIand
and rising to his feet. II drink
to our only absent member, the
Incompatible Chesteeri without
Chester our coup would lave
fallen to the ground. That bril-.
liant young actor, that master Of
/, disguise and student Of personali
ties took upon his shoulders The
most risky part Of all; he Inn
personated Masterton "a The sale
OF the papers to Vassileff, and so
brought about his arrest and filled
In the case against him"
A Real Genius
''Chesterg' said Ames, raising
his glass. "Ah, but Chick really
10 q genius. Though he had no
/ such very difficult task In imper-
sonating MaSterton.
Chester can impersonate any
bo6y!. said Mulholland. "A great
actorl Well. friends, with Ches-
ter my list closes, and now ]
think we can give business b rest
for awhile" III
At this point q jarring note
was struck. Femme stood up,
! gave q little dry cough. and rest
ing his knuclxly hands on the
table. he leaned toward Mulhol.
land.
There is one little natter we
have overlooked Chief" he said
acidly.
MulhoIland turned q cold eye
upon the speaker. There was q
queer, dangerous expression on.
his face.
1--WE are satisfied with our
SHARE he said, "but you have
omitted any mention Of your own.
master-stroke."
my master-strokeH" qneried
Mulholland.
BY putting Masterton away"
continued Femme. you have left
the field clear for yourself with
Cynthia Knowles and her money;
the wealthiest young woman,
believe. In New York. The odds
must surely be all in your favor.
now, Chief. A stake Of over a
million. should like to ask
you what you have TO say to us.
your partners. about this poten-
TALLY fruitful ASSET"
Jim Mulholland's face suddenly
became transformed. His suavity
fell away from him, he heaved
his huge. bulk upright, his eyes
i burned into Fenne's.
His Warming
''You little shaker he said
quietly. Listen to this, all of
youi The first Of you that tries
to NEEDLE with my private az
fairs: thu first that dareB no
much as mention Cynthia
Knowles name won't have q sec.
cnd warning. AZ for you. Femme.
one of these days shall set my
foot on your neck. and your spine
will break"
There was a quality IN Mulhol.
land that dominated them all.
Their eyes fell before him. none
Of them answered; except Femme.
Let us imagine for one mo.
naent," continued Femme. mali
ciously. that Masterton were to-
day q free man with the knowl.
edge that we five had robbed him
Of liberty, honor-and the won.
an he loved3 I know Masterton
better than any of you; there
Is no more ruthless and impIaca-
BILE man living.
He ID on the big scale-a big
parsonage In the world. The
only difference Is that he's an
honest man. What would our
feelings be, IL he returned? Which
OF u.s." said Femme with "a sheer,
would be the first to put up his
hands and sQueal?"
Uneasy Silence
There was a moments silence.
The thought seemed to cause
uneasiness. Then Quantrfll
laughed.
Don't be childish, Fenner' he
said, He knows nothing. And
in any case-he il dead Tor
twelve years.
There was approving laughter,
the tension was relieved, the
quarrel seemed to be wiped out.
Ames picked q cigar from the
box with some care.
Discussions are regrettable, IN
so happy q family as this" he
said, 'ta1d now. Chief. as to future
operations"
Future operations" echoed Null.
holland. / think, gentlemen, that
we ought not push success too
far. In all our campaigns, in
the past few years we have been
singulariy fortunate. Our latest
and greatest coup IL q master
piece. My opinion IL that we
should rest on our Iaurels and
let well enough alone Let US
see each other by all rneans-
but only az friends, not 90 part
ners." ~
The others stared at him and
Il in the back OF their minds they
Thought that he was severing all
connection with the past on the
chance Of winning the heart. Of
Cynthia Knowles. they gave no