Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-26

/
m a moment. She was clinging to the
Trailing and seemed incapable of further
movement. He caught her UP in MS
arms with a backward glance OF APP
prehension.
Once more he ran. Tighter ane
tighter Tlaurita'S arms were claSpee
around his neck. Her soft cheeks were
pressed 10 his. Her lips repeatedly
brushed his eyes, his lips. Twice he
psuSed to look behind There was nc
sign of any pursuit. Presently he heard
the purring OF an engine, the grinding
OF gears and the sound of car in
movement along the road which Dor
dered the park He drew deer
! breath OF immense relief
| They're OFF, he exclaimed.
Laurita said nothing Her eyes were
I half closed Suddenly she began tc
| sob. She raised herself As he slack
ened his pace. her arms almost
strangling him, her body Straining tc
/ his
| Martini" she faltered.
A ridge Of cloud had fioated across
the moon. and the fragments OF g
storm brought wind which b>nt thc
! tops of the trees 10y their sides. and
greet drops OF rain which beat intf
her lips found his and chung there, pas
sionatelv. Her arms almost CHECKED
him. The cling Of her body was wild
/ evidence OF the hySteria which weS
raging within her. Before him was an
omen door and line OF flaming lights
| He staggered up on the terrace with a
! little sob OF thankfulneSs.
The Morning After.
| Perhaps the greatest surprise OF
| these exciting days came the next
| morning to Martin and Lord Ardring-
/ tnn out OF a clear sky without sny
sort of warning. happening so IN
! credible that at first they could scarce
/ ly trust their own eyes. The sergeant
/ of police had departed. pompous enc
greatly excited. with pocketbooS fuli
Of unntelligible notes. Blanche mao
gone I'D to see Laurita, who was re-
ported to be still sleeping. Martin, with
a ban6ace on his head and one arm
in A sling, was stretched in an easy
chair in a sunny corner OF the ter
race and his host was lounging BY ms
side The sound of approaching foot
stems caused the latter, and Martln
afterward. to raise their heads. IL was
unbelievable but true. Unannounceo ot
any servant. without any indication OF
the manner by which they mace tnelr
entrance Solomon Graunt and VICTOR
porle with a stranger between tnehl'
were approaching along the terrace
Bless my SOUL" Lord Ardrington
gasped IA
could find no words. Together they
watched the visitors. Mr.. Solomon
Graunt was wearing gray tweed
suit brown shoes and Homourg nat
He was very spic-and-span ano very
seif-assured His gait, indeed, was
aInast Iaunty. Next to him walked
nan NJ medium height, dressed in
sober black, with a face OF legal type:
wearing horn trimmed spectacles ana
carving an attache case. On his otner
side was Victor Porte. also carefully
dressed in blue serge, with tie and
collar faultlessly chosen, channels leath-
er gloves and a Malacca cane. HIS
long. olive complexioned face was more
destitute than ever OF any color eX-
cept where the thin line from an
ancient scar famed little on his LETT
cheek
What a nerve!' Lord Ardrington,
muttered. And how the devil did
they get in?"
THE same way as last night, ex-
pect." Martin replied They must
have got a wax impression and have
had KEYS made TO one OF the postern
gates. After all. that wasn't difficult,
but that they should have come here
this mornings They ought to have
been hiding from the police"
The three men were now within
greeting distance Victor Porte and
Solomon Graunt raised their hats.
Neither made any attempt TO shake
hands. Victor Porle. completely at his
ease. took charge OF the situation.
"Ardrington," he announced. II
have come TO pay you more or less
formal visit I have ventured to bring
with me my legal adviser. Mr.. Maurice
Rosen--I4ord Ardrington."
The former raised his hat; the latter
responded
You have already received letter"
porle continued. from the firm in
which my friend. Mr. Rosen. is part
ner. You are therefore prepared for
the formal demand am here to make. >
Lord Ardrington glanced upward at
the row OF opened windows
Business OF this Importance" he
suggested. rising to his feet. had bet
ter be conducted in my study. VIII
you follow me, gentlemen"
He led the way into the smaller
apartment where ne spent most Of his
days. Immediately below his upstairs
sitting room, and pointed TO chairs.
The three visitors seated themselves.
Lord Ardrington followed their exam
pies. Martin alone remained stand
ing
our business" Victor Porls con-
tinued. lis Of an intimate and family
[ssA AnR
/ viii pardon my suggesting t--mlght
find himself somewhat de trop"
1t is my wish that he remain :"
Lord Ardfington said CURLY You
may find that ne has more concern in
/ the business OF which you desire 10
speak than you imagine"
The other shrugged his shoulders
We are IN your house. Ardrington. ;"
! he admitted We submit 10 your
! ruling in the matter | Will enter al
once. then. upon the object OF our
! visit | am here 10 claim possession
Of my daughter Laurita, whom you
abducted. together with her mother,
from San Paulo Is years ago"
Lord Ardrington leaned back In his
chair
Victor Porle." he said. although
have always iOafhed your character
UHFF iFIDkfliHFd your CDhIhBF.
pay tribute to IT at this moment. You
hire a gang Of rufflans TO abduct my
adopted daughter from this house last
night whilst you devoted yourself 10
engaging the attention Of her pro-
toct0rs. and having failed~thanks 10
he Rallantry Of my young friend
you dare 10 come here and make your
demand under The shadow Of the law %
Victor hGrlc's sir Of mystificati0n
Vss magnificent He shook his head
+ fh0ugntfully
There are rumors In the Village :"
ne observed, OF an attempted bur
glary here last night You cannot
fof a moment imagine that your old
friend, Mr. Solomon Graunt, and /
could possibly be implicated in sucn
An enterprise "
Prom my knowledge of your past
careers vas The agfneWnai sarcastic