Evening star., 1934-12-08
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By VICTOR BRIDGES

it. I haven't got your confounded
paper, and If you're silly enough to
shoot me you must put up with the
consequences"
The clean-shaven man laughed. It
was not pleasant sound. Say" he
inquired, "ain't we had enough of
this?"
quite, I think" Mr.. Stellman felt
deliberately in his pocket. and, with
his eyes still fixed on mine, drew out
a neatly rolled coil of thin whipcord.
Il will give you a last chance" he
said, IF you still refuse I shall tie
your hands and legs together with
this, and then things will happen to
you which, believe me, you will not
enjoy at all. I can promise you that
in a few minutes you will be ready
enough to answer my questions"
Before he had finished speaking I
had made up my mind. If the choice
lay between stopping bullet or being
trussed up and tortured, I had no
doubt at all as to which preferred
I stood as still as death, but every
muscle in my body was tense and
ready.
The man who was holding the pistol
took a step toward me- You stir a
finger" he said, land I'll blow your
CUTS out
With a quick jerk Stellman undid
the coil. The loops tumbled to the
floor. and at the same moment, stag
geringly clear through the strained
silence, came the sound of a girls
voice.
The police, pleaSe-as quickly as
possible"
What was that?"
The pistol was still pointing full at
my mid-section, but from the half
shadowed face above it two startled
eyes were searching the studio.
1T came from there-the room over
the staircase"
is that the police? Will you please
come at once to Queen Studios. Chalk
Farm? It's case of murder"
A foul oath burst from the clean
shaven mans lips: Some blighted
Jane phoning up the cops. Here, take
this and I'll"
mo, it's too late now" Stellman's
voice was quiet but peremptory
Whatever happens we can't afford
to be found here" He picked up the
coil and thrust it back into his pocket.
But say"
DO as I tell you. Keep him COW
cred and follow me-" He walked un-
hurriedly to the entrance where he
turned and faced me. eau revoir.
n TranPh hof
you were entertaining friends; We
shall meet again very soon"
Il hope So" said civilly.
Step by step the other backed out
after him. There was a brief pause,
the faint click of a latch, and the
front door shut softly.
To a man who is not accustomed
to miracles the sudden arrival of one
is apt to be trif1e disconcerting On
the whole, however, I think 1 acted
with commendable promptitude.
1t must have been rather less than
three seconds before I had wrenched
round the key and shot home the bolt
behind them. and not more than an
other two before was back again in
the studio doorway.
stood there, breathing quickly and
staring up at my bed room.
Il don't know who you are" I said,
but I should be frightfully pleased
to make your acquaintance"
Very quietly the door opened and
a girl stepped forward into the gal
lery. She was small. slender figure
dressed in plain black. with a curly
mop Of copper -colored hair The light
was shining full in her face and at
the sight of those blue eyes and that
sensitive, delicate beauty my heart
gave a sudden wild leap.
My sainted aunt" said to myself
incredulously.
1t was the girl I had seen at my
trial-the girl who had sat silent and
motionless in the corner seat, looking
down at me as stood in the dock.
You are sure they can't come
back?" she asked in low voice
Not unless they break open the
door," I advanced couple of PAGES
ITS the police that are going to be
the trouble. What am / to say to
them?"
You won't have to say anything
at all"
You see. I didn't really ring them
up," she went on calmly. Il only
pretended to-"
I drew in long breath. Then the
comic side of the whole thing sud-
denly struck me, and without the
smallest warning I went off into a
shout of laughter. The girl stood per-
fectly still-her small hands gripping
the balustrade
1T reminds me of that text in the
Bible" I said 1.-The wicked flee
where no man pursueth. I took
another step toward her. won't you
come down and introduce yourself?"
I suggested. Il always like to thank
people who save me from being mur-
dered."
Very slowly she descended the stair
case.
You have nothing to thank me for,
came here with the same object as
those two men"
You did what?" I inquired.
Il came to get my papers which
thought you had stolen from Os-
borne"
I stood for a moment looking at
her blankly 1t seemed to me as If
the whole world were suddenly going
mad.
Nicholas unlimited guest explains
many things to him. tomorrow,