Evening star., 1932-08-21

am temporarily without the means Of killing
him and at the moment my physical strength
Is not enough. All the same, before long
shall kill him"
The threatened man flinched.
"You see" he cried turning to Hames, that
il what he's out for-murder. I must protect
myself. Stand away whilst I make end
of him."
"I shall do nothing of the Sort" was the
prompt retort. "You know what will happen
to you If you touch him"
'What about him then? You heard what
he said he was going to do to me?"
Men say more than they mean at times
like this" Peter Hames soothed him. "One
thing can assure you and that is whatever
may happen to you, Col. Rawson will never
shoot you in the back"
"why should wait to give him the ad-
vantage of a weapon?" the other demanded
angrily. I've got him beaten now. I'm going
to put him out of. the way '..-..
you'll get the worst thrashing of your life
II you talk like that" Hames warned him.
I'm going to take Col Rawson into my villa
and give him drink. You can come too II
you like" go -e-r! ><.2-+ ..'a~.' F. 1850
"You leaye US alone to settle our own affairs"
was the surly reply. Il don't want to come
inside your villa and don't want a drink"
Peter Hames helped the colonel to his feet,
took him by the arm and led him TO the
gate Then he turned to the other man. ..
Are you coming in, too?" he invited.
It was lucky for Peter Hames that he had
turned as he spoke. The young man had
made o sudden dive down to the ground, caught
up q huge jagged flint laying with pile Of
others for manipulation by the roadmenders,
and with this protruding from his hand made
q leap toward his adversaries.
Hames, displaying an Unexpectedly long
reach. leaned forward and caught him
lightning like blow on the point of his Jaw.
He swayed. staggered. and the stone dropped
from his fingers Slowly he collapsed.
The colonel stood locking down at him with
gleam in his eyes.
Blasted toad' he muttered savagely. Hes
barely 80 years old. If he lives to be 60. every
day viii be a day of evil
Peter Hames threw open the garden gate and
ushered in his guest. Vittorio who had been
watching from safe distance, at once disclosed
himself
Lock after this gentleman, vfttorio," his
master enjoined. Take him to the lavatory
first and then give him a stif whisky and
soda. Here, let me help you sir, as far as the
door" he went on, suddenly aware that his COM
panion was retaining consciousness only with
the greatest effort. Wen have the drink first,
Vittorio Hurry away and get it."
They reached divan, onto which the faMting
man sank with groan of relief Within few
minutes Vittorio was back again with whisky
and soda upon tray. Col Rawson took long
gulp from the tumbler which his host handed
to him and became almost at once changed
man.
what became of-Salvador?" he asked a
moment or two later Il went queer In the
head as we were coming through the gate
can't remember" ..-
III you mean the young man with whom you
were fighting" Peter Hames replied "he came
too near me and he is lying in the road. Now.
II you'll 60 with Vittorio and get cleaned up
little, I'll 60 and look after him"
Rawsof, rose to his feet and, leaning on the
the buffers arm, disappeared, carrying his re-