Evening star., 1929-06-24

sound Of long, shrill whistle The
two men with whom was at that
moment engaged skunk away, and I
garthered that for some reason q cee-
sation Of the fight was indicated. Then,
full in the searchlight that was play
ingonce more, saw q tall, thin figure,
wearing q black mask-the young man
Of the motor-car in the afternoon, I
was convinced-step boldly forward.
RACHEL" he cried.
There was no reply. Suddenly the
front door opened. and there shot out
into q little senicircle Of light Martin
Hews In his small carriage. He ap-
peared to be unarn1ed, but one hand
was underneath the rug.
Come and fetch her." he invited,
in his queer high-pitched voice. mo
doubt she Is pining in her room. Come
and fetch her, Joseph"
VERY well, I WILL" was the calm re-
The masked man took . few steps
forward. The rest Of the gang who had
been making for the ctar-a-banc
hesitated, and some OF them retraced
their steps. The fight seemed about 70
recommence when heard voice from
one OF the lower windows. looked up.
A shadowy from was standing at the
easement Of q darkened room. AS
soon as she spoke, knew that it was
Rachel.
Look out, Jol" she warned him.
The little man has gun under the
rug"
Joseph paused. He was now about
20 PAGES from where Martin Hews
was sitting in his chair, with Miles
the most terrified person I have ever
seen in my life, standing by his side.
Joseph waved his hand to the window.
Very we'll" he called out softly.
We'll dine at Shirley's before the
weeks out, kid. Good night, everybody.
Good night, Martin Hews"
Take this with you," the latter re-
piled, turning suddenly with q veno-
nous look to Miles. "Out you 90, you
common informer. Take your rub
bish, Joseph
Miles staggered out into the night
with the terror still on his face. Martin
Hews reversed his little carriage into
q dark corner where he was out of
sight: I doubt whether any one but
myself saw his hand steal up from
| underneath the rug. The darkness
was stabbed by a quick fash. Miles
| spun round and round. gave one
shrek of agony, and fell.
They were all running for the char
a-banc now-Joseph, with cigarette
In his mouth. sauntering on behind. A
sudden desire came upon me to take
him alive My luck of the night. how
ever, forsook me. I was trying to cut
him OF from the others by circling
around strip of marshland, and I put
my foot into one of the deep holes
filled with mud and water with which
the whole marshy land was pitted.
struggled to my feet, but before I was
throughly steady was caught up In
the wire Of the electric signal cord,
| and over I went again. A bullet
whistled above my head, and probably
the second fall saved my life. Before
could stagger to my feet, the char
a-banc was throbbing and gruntins
| its way cityward.
]. found lights streaming from every
| window of the Mansion and the front
| door wide open. The FIRST person I
saw as I stumbled In was Martin
Hsws; ,I;, seated in his chair with
distance, Miss Essiter was bandagins
Huntley's arm. es
Dear me, dear me, raajori" NV
4 employer chuckled. aS, he inspected my
/ appearance. Another one 10 add 10
the list rof casualties, fear"
Maj Owstu1k Miss Essiter ex-
i claimed, lookfng. across at me with the
| first suggestfoh.of a human express
/ 1fOtI zIAl-kkCE I&GG.1 IldQ seen.
FOR the hrst few seconds after my
arrival. was Incapable of speech, even
Of hearing. Every fiber Of my body was
responding to the emotion of the
moment! There he sat, a few feet
away, his eyes challen Sing mine. had
| seen fighting Of all sorts In my life and
oloodshed Of every description, but / had
never before seen man shot In such
stony ,hearted fashion, Again fancied
that I could see the stab Of flame and
the mans convulsive gesture and agony
feet butler, placid, emotionless, suavei
Perhaps because I was a little deli
r1ous with pain and excitement. the
face OF Martin Hews seemed suddenly
| TO fade into the likeness of an old
gargoyle carved over the porch of a
chateau in Normandy where had once
been guest-an evil, leering thing,
with Satanic questioning In its eyes. I
knew very we'll even Ia those dazed
moments, what he was asking me. Then,
with an effort, pulled myself together
Beatrice Essiter, her task accomplished.
was fastening toward me. There was
a shocked look in her face.
You must come and let me look
a1ter you at once, Maj. Owston," she
With Indifferent but skillful fingers
ooo0A sCo 1ssiteI washed Gne bI00d from
my face and dressed the wounds
Huntley presently arrived with q change
OF clothes, and soon began to feel my
self again.
You are still rather q pathetic.
looking object" she remarked. "I sup.
pose you had to go and plunge irtS
the thick Of 1t like that"
I rather thought that was wila,
was here for" reminded her.
She made no reply Suddenly VI
heard the stopping of car outside.
The police!" she explained, anxiously
II expect you win be wanted"