Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-17

me. begged him to arrest Joseph
last night, and he wouldn't do it."
Martin Hews moved uneasily.
That fellow Bloor again!" he NUT
tered Il wish you'd keep away from
him. The police are too suspicious of
me- This house is watched from the
front door to the river. Isaacs could
nave got me some of the real lacquer,
taken from the Weindorf Palace in
Vienna. I dared not take it, There's
no harm In your being friendly with
Bioor, but be very careful, Major.
Never let him talk to you of my
affairs"
He pressed button, and Minchin
presently appeared.
"A bottle of my wine" he ordered.
Two glasses. l get tired these days"
he went on, speaking as though to him
self
Why don't you chuck it all now,
sir?' I asked him. 1T has been a
great game, but is 1t worth it, after
a certain point?"
1T is always worth It," he replied
fervently, when the treasure is there"
But look at what you have ALREADY"
l argued. You have beautiful things
enough to feast your eyes upon for the
rest OF your life. Why run any risks?
Why not ship everything to some
Southern country-Italy, or somewhere
among the quieter spots Of the French
Riviera. Divide your time between the
sunshine and your treasures"
He leaned across the table.
Il shouldn't be safe while Joseph
was alive. You know his oath? II
got Donkin away and kept the girl
here, he swore to steal my treasures.
one by one. and then my life. Beatrice
Is the beginning, I suppose. My
Madonna OF Deptford followed. I know
that 1 am IN danger. but where else
IN the world could protect myself as
l can here?"
That's all very well, sir" I ex-
postulated. but the man isn't super
human. He's beginning to get it in
the neck and to get it badly. There
are 53 men OF his gang under arrest.
some in hospitals, the remainder In
prison. Eleven are dead. His organi-
zation must be completely shattered
The police have combed every house for
miles around their old headquarters
Dont you think one Of these SO is
likely to squeal?"
L don't believe one of them knows"
my employer conhded They catch a
glimpse of the Joseph. who comes
stealing down into their midst once
or twice year, from some hidden place
in another quarter of the world, per-
haps, but I don't believe there's one of
them-even among his most trusted
lieutenants-who could put his hand
upon him al given moment. Joseph
knows all about them and what they
are doing. They know nothing about
him"
How about last night?" demanded.
They recognized him then and
obeyed him
Martin Hews smiled graphically.
II your theory as to Ruben Sans
and Joseph being the same man is
correct" he said, Il can't quite under
stand his being willing to disclose him
self. Presently will explain why"
There was a tinkle Of the bell. and
Minchin brought in bottle and two
exquisite Venetian glasses.
This is BerncaStler. Doctor. 40 years
Old" my employer told me. holding his
glass reverently to the light. Wines
OF this character have their beauty,
almost like the visible objects dart"
The wine was the color of pale am
Der. but richer and softer. more deli
cately perfumed than any wine I had
ever drunk before. AS he poured out
his second glass, Martin Hews' cheeks
and eyes grew brighter again.
"OWSton,' he said, you were right. I
said that should finish with the
Buddha. and I shall keep my word.
This is my one. great success he went
on, caressing the statuette. There is
nothing in the world more beautiful
than this. No single object of gold or
porphyry, Of silver or bronze. or Jade.
or ivory, to compare with it. Stop!
Your messengers feel"
He opened a drawer and drew out a
bundle OF notes.
You needn't mind taking them,
Owston." he went on. almost pleasant
". There was never a thousand
pounds better earned. Put it in your
pocket"
am afraid I did not stop to con-
slider the ethical point of view After
ell, I had done my job and risked my
life. pocketed the money.
You may hear from Joseph, even
though it is for the last time, as soon
as he discovers that he hasn't the
Buddha," I warned him.
1T has cost me sbmething like five
thousand pounds" Martin Hews said,
TO make this room impregnable. It is
impregnable. No man could possibly
enter while sit at this desk"
But there are two other DOORS"
pointed cut.
He nodded gravely.
quite right. Now then. about those
two other doors. There is only one
that need count The door into my
treasure house is of solid iron 1t
opens only from this side. and it would
take half a ton of dynamite to blow it
up. AS for the second
He must have touched a button
somewhere. for the door rolled slowly
open. Upon the threshold stood
Huntley. his automatic in his hand.
Quite all right. thank you" his
master said. with a nod. II was only
testing the connections"
The man stepped back and the door
closed.
(To be continued)