Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-17
THE FORTUNATE WAYFARER

gates. the passes TO come In ana out
the turning of the house into fortress?
It is Just as though you we're AFRAID of
something, which in these days docs
seem absurd. doesn't it?'
Lord Ardrington slipped his WINE ann
replaced his glass upon the table. HIS
hand was steady his voice flrm' yet
it was obvious that he was speaking
the truth.
II have had but one fear in my
life" he confided but, alas, that has
grown with the years. l am not AFRAID
of personal injury. of armed burglars.
of sudden death, of the ordinary perlS
which incite fear. and yeti oon
know why should offer you my con-
fidence in this matter, except that IN
doing so | have q half-formed pur~
pose in my mind-there Is one great
enmty in my life--one threatened re-
prisal which is poisoning my days,
He paused frowning heavily, and his
attention seemed to wander away.
When he came to himself with little
shiver. it seemed as though he had
made up his mind to abandon the SUD-
icct Martin. however, persisted.
II don't suppose" he said, that the
police are very strong in an out-oi the
way village like this: but II you were
to apply to the chief constable of the
county, COulun he uedl Win "iiy
threats you might receive?"
THE law" Lord Ardrington ex-
planned lis for the law ahiders. AS 1t
happens upon this occasion, am on
the wrong side of the fence, The thing
l fear most in life, in fact, might be
brought about by legal means.
Then why" Martin asked more
than ever puzzled, this attempt tn
keep visitors out? You couldn't use
your locked gates against the police.
Il have begun to ask myself" his
host admitted. a little YEARLY whether
this despairing effort Of mine to keep
my enemies away is worth the candle.
It may balk them for a day or week,
they are far too clever. however, to be
kept at arms length indefinitely, The
curious part of it u.s." he continued,
with grim smile. that from the mo-
ment | made access to the house and
grounds difficult. the number of harm
less would-be visitors has increased to
a ridiculous extent They even ring
me up from Norwich continually beg
ging for permission to see the pictures.
With one or two of them I have been
able to indulge in my propensity for
practical jokes"
Tell me about that" Martin begged
The smile on his hosts ffce became
more pronounced, Though IL sbifl LdChcN
any element of real mirth.
There were two of them the other
day who rang up from Norwich rep
reSenting themselves as picture deal
ers. / sent car, presumably to bring
them out here The chauffeur told
them that the direct road was closed
drove them to one of the loneliest spots
round about and turned them out l
have been expecting an abusive letter
for several days
Il don't think you'll get ii now"
Martin confided Il found those very
two men on Thetford Heath. They
dressed as though for Saunter down
Bond street, and / was so surprised
that l stopped and asked them If any
thing was the matter. / brought them
back nearly as far as Norwich"
The chauffeur should not have left
them in such a public place" the other
complained. Anyway, | daresay the
experience was good for them"
Martin finished his wine and sum-
moned up his courage.
= 1T never occurred to you, | sup
pose" he asked with som, hesitation.
that these two men might be the peo-
pie against whom you are guarding the
place so carefully"
Lord Ardrington clutched for a mo-
ment at the table. His face had be-
come utterly colorless. his fingers were
trembling, his eyes lit with somber
terror
why do YOU ask that?" he de-
manded What do you know about
them9"
They arc back here now al Ard
rington. They are staying at the VII
lage inn They we're there when Lady
Blanche sent me down my pass. They
offered me money for IT."
Describe them"
Il never met two men so difficult to
describe. One is rather short. rather
stout, with bald head an ugly mouth
and auaint-colored eyes; the other is
darker. very thin. and speaks very
slowly. i could tell you their names or
the names they gave me"
Lord Ardrington's face. although
CHASTITY, had become set. He had the
air of a man who braces himself to re-
ceive Ill news.
"Well?"
The name OF the shorter man is
Solomon Graunt; the other Porle-Vic-
tor Porte, I think he said
The stem OF the glass Lord Ardring-
ton was holding snapped in his fingers.
and the remainder of his wine dripped
onto the smooth polished table He
shrank In his high backed chair with
It's beautiful carving like q man who
has received blow
ITO BE Continued Tomorrow