Evening star., 1929-06-29

the next part of my message. Are you
listening?"
"Ratherl'
"You are to be at Christie's at 3
o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Just take
a chair. buy a catalogue, and watch
the bidding If no one speaks to you,
then come away in the ordinary course.
NV uncle simply wishes you to be there.
Good night, Maj. Owston. :"
had been asleep for a few hours
when I awoke with violent start, to
find the electric light turned on, and
a figure leaning over the end Of the
bed. My visitor was wearing black
silk mask, completely concealing his
face, and a hand of incredible steadi-
ness was gripping an automatic, pointed
directly at me.
Don't move" he said softly. Above
everything, don't call out. Are you
awake now?"
yes" 1 answered. What do you
want? How the mischief did you get in
here?"
Don't be silly" my visitor begged
contemptuouSly. You know who
am. right enough. I am Joseph. You
can't seem to be able to lay your hand
on me, so I've come to see you. don't
like the way you're drawing your knees
up. If you move as much as foot,
I'll let daylight into you"
I decided to wait for a better op-
portunity to assert myself. In the
meantime watched my visitor keenly
already two things had struck me. First
that his cockney accent seemed
scarcely natural; secondly that the
dirty and neglected state Of his hands
was little overdone. Underneath some
smudges of black could see remark
ably well-manicured nails.
You want to know what I'm after,
1 suppose. I'll tell you. I came after
my girl If I'd found her here, you'd
have been stiff by now. Where is she?"
search the place, If you think she's
here" invited.
He chuckled.
"A nice chance that would give you,
wouldn't it?" he murmured mo,
Major, I've been in both the other
rooms. You've saved your skin for a
few minutes. I've got another bone
to pick with you though. You're Mar
tin Hews' new man, aren't you?
You're after me, they say"
And, so far as that is concerned"
replied. II shouldn't be surprised,
Joseph, If didn't get you"
An excellent nerve" he remarked
approvingly. Il suppose you realize
that your life is wobbling in the balance.
may pull this trigger at any second"
Somehow or other" said, IT don't
shooting an unarmed man lying down"
''Foohl" he scoffed. That's nothing
I'd shoot nv grandmother in the back,
If had to-
Wei. t'ccn, there is another reason
why III will probably behave like a
sane person." told him. You en-
Joy your life too much to want to end
1t with a rope around your neck.
have servants sleeping in the next
room"
"Stupefied, both Of them" he confided
"Softest job you can imagine. Their
supper was laid out when I happened
to stroll through the kitchen-jug Of
beer and bottle of whisky. bet they're
lying across the table now"
Let's go and see," I suggested.
There were creases in his mask, and
think he smiled
PITY you din't join UP with me and
play the big game, instead of becoming
Martin Hews' mercenary," he said
Il like a man who can grin when the
tricks against him"
I'm not a mercenary," objected
What else are you?" he demanded
you call me and my men criminals
but we fight for what we want. Martin
Hews is far dirtier type of scoundrel,
with his cheque book his hired assaSsins
and his receiving offices-and as for
you, he pays you for fighting, suppose
What else are you but a mercenary,
and one of the worst?"
You're calling me very unpleasant
Names" I reminded him. IF you'll
put that thing away for a moment, we
might SETTLE this"
"I should look well, shouldn't I?"
Joseph smiled. "Over six feet, aren't
you? I heard of your fighting the
other night"
You saw me-" I told him. "And,
if I'd known who you were before, and
hadn't put my foot in that pot-hole,
you would never have got away"
He sighed maliciously.
so you recognized me! Rather pity
you mentioned that. Before, there was
just about one chance in twenty that I
might have left you with a few words
of caution. Now-well. it can't be
done. A man who has seen me out
with my lads and has recognized me
can't be allowed to live. Say your
prayers, If you want to, Major: Your
numbers I'm u"