The Daily Alaska empire., 1929-06-26
hy Jeffery Farnol

bitter disillusioned boy? His age should be about 30-and then all men were children
 And yet" said he suddenly, T have neither seen nor heard of such letter."
 1 How should you, sir? Twas addressed to your cousin Sir Rich ard, and he is away in London. But twas delivered here this after noon to a man in livery with a scar on his face"
 "Ha, this will be Tom Pittl And you came hither to steal it ma'am?" "Or buy it back at any price be- fore Sir Richard should receive it."
 Reaching out to a bell-rope be- side the chimney, he jerked it vio- lently and distant bell tinkled
 We will question a rascal, mann nay, if you fear to be seen, get ye behind the curtains" She hesi- tated in frowing perplexity, but at the sound of approaching foot steps, vanished behind the draper ies. There entered a man who 1 bowed and peered with narrow, olose-set eyes.
 Tom Pitt, I want the letter was brought you today, letter in- scribed to Sir Richard Guyfford. "
 Letter. sir? There was none, sir, none, indeed"
 However, I want it, Tom, let ter that was put into your claws this afternoon. Do I get it?"
 "Oh, impossible, sir, quite impos- sible, indeed; there was no" Tom Pitts sleek head rapped sharply against the panelling, and he gasp ed and ehoked in the sudden grip of sinewy fingers. i, With feverish haste Pitt thrust hand into bosom, and, drawing thence a heavily sealed letter, gave , it up without a word.
 "Exactlyp nodded the 0 tn e r. How begone, Tom, and close the door after you"
 He was turning the missive over and over when she parted the cur tains. her serene assurance whelm- cd in a tremulous eagerness. "You-you will give it to me, sir?" she questioned. e T wonder?" he answered his saturnine features twisted in sar- donic smile
 Julian Guyfiord," she said, sink ing her voice to passionate whis- per, "'twas writ to a villain by a foolish girl. Should it come to Sir Richards hands, only God knoweth what evil and agony it may work. Sir you as Sir Rich ards cousin, must be sensible of his i'll repute, but of his soulless cruel ty and black deceit, none but a woman may know"
 Faith, mann, you paint him a blacker rouge than-even I had thought him. You shall tell me more of his shining"
 May, tis vile subject! And am ! lexpected-I pray you give me the letter"
 Aha, the letter." he sighed and broke the seal, unfolded it and be- gan to read. "Pah!" he exclaimed
 and turned to glance at the sigma
 ture. Are you 'Saccharissa'?'
 "No!' she cried, fiercely scorn- full. And what manner of thing are you to dishonor yourself tC
 pry-oh, shamel" Considering you are a thief nam, a housebreaker caught il
 the act, I prove in you singular
 absence of fear, a deplorable lack of confusion A very arrogant crim. inal, a most imperious gallows
 birdr'
 | Will you give me the letter, sir?' sighed she wearily. Be seated, ma m, and I'll read il to you"
 "I'll not hear it."
 Then cover your ears, mann. And holding the letter to the can, ale, he read aloud. Dear Sir Richard, I will meet you tonight by the old Mill House, trusting to your honour to return my letters. But, oh, , Sir Richard, you have promis- ed so often, pray God you will keep your word tonight and . return the letters. Indeed, Sir
 Richard, they was wrote you