Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-08
11,oz,uz in 1uo11, 11y,tu,, r BY EDGAR WALLACE

blurred windows J. G. picked up the familiar
landmarks and offered q running commentary
upon them.
big car had drawn level with the cab and
the driver shouting something TO the cab
man. Even the suspicious Mr.. Reeder suspected
no more than an exchange of offenSiveness, till
the cab suddenly turned into side street The
car had fallen behind, but now drew abreast.
Probably the avenue is torn up" said J. g.,
and at that moment the cab slowed and stopped.
He was reaching out for the handle when
the door pulled open violently, and in the
uncertain light Mr.. Reeder saw broad
shouldered standing in the road.
"Alght quickly"
In the mans hand was long black Colt,
and his face was covered from mouth to fore
head by a mask.
"Quickly-and keep your hands erect!"
Mr.. Reeder stepped out into the rain ana
reached to close the door.
1.-The female alSo-come, misS!"
"Here-whats the game-you told me the
avenue was blocked" 1t was the cabman
talking.
Here is a fver-keep your mouth shut"
The masked man thrust note at the driver.
st don't want your money
"You require my bullet in your bosom per-
chance, my good felow?" asked Ras Lal
Sardonically.
Margaret had followed her escort into the
street by this time. The car had stopped just
behind the cab. With the muzzle OF the pistol
stuck into his back, Mr. Reeder walked to the
omen door and entered. The girl followed, and
the masked man jumped after them and closed
the door Inst atty the interior was flooded
with light.
This is a considerable surprise to a clever
and intelligent police detective?"
THE captor sat on the opposite seat, his pistol
on his knees. Through the holes of the
black mask pair of brown eyes cleaned
malevolently But Mr.. Reeders interest was IN
the girl The shock had struck the color from
her face but he observed with thankfulneSS
that her chief emotion was not fear She was
numb with amazement, and was stricken
speeches..
The car had circled and was moving swiftly
back the way they had come. The journey was
short one. He felt the car wheels bump over
an uneven roadway for hundred yards, the
body rocking uncomfortably, and then with o
jar of brakes, the machine stopped suddenly.
They were on q narrow muddy lane. On one
side rose the arches of a railway aqueduct on
the other an open space bounded by hgn
fence. Evidently the driver had pulled up short
of their destination, for they had to squelch
and slide through the thick mud for another so
yards before they came to a narrow gateway
in the fence. Through this they struck cinde<
path leading to a square building, which Mr..
Reeder guessed was small factory OF some
kind. Their conductor flashed a lamp on the
door and in weather letters the detective
read:
The Storm Filton Leather Co..
"Now!" said the man as he turned switch.
"now, my false-swearing and corrupt police Of
fetal, have a slight bill to settle with you"
They in a dusty lobby, inclosed on three
sides by thin walls.
Account is the word you want, Ras Lal,"
nurmured Mr.. Reeder.
For a moment the man was taken aback, and
then snatching the mask from his face:
at am Ras Lal! And you shall repent it! For
you and your young missus this is indeed a
cruel night of anxiety"
Mr. Reeder did not smile at the quaint Eng
lish. The gun in the mans hand spoke all Ian
guages without error. and could be as fatal in
the hands of an unconscious humorst If it
were handled by the most savage of purists.
And he was worried about the girl; she had not
spoken word since their capture. The color
had come back to her cheeks, and that was
good sign There was, too, light in her eyes
which Reeder could not associate with fear.
Flinging open q door, Ras Lal motioned them
to pass through and mount the bare stairs
which faced them. At the top was landing