The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1936-03-20

I'm AFRAID It's clear he drawled,
shat you didn't expect me so soon. "
He sighed. "Thats been the misfortune
of so many people I've known. Some
of them are still living. You see, a
car came by, and It's owner gave me
a lift. To be perfectly frank, he sur
rendered the wheel to Dewdrop with
out q word. You know, 1 can't help
| feeling you ought to have thought of
| that"
II agree" said Helena, shortly. "That
was bad mistake"
"But the only one" said Pharaoh.
Indeed, If l may say so, I'm much
impressed. Mr.. SpencerIs quite good
chauffeur-Im sure of that, but only
brain in thousand would have
thought of abducting the Count"
Helena stared.
"Are you being humorous?"
"No," said Pharaoh quietly. "Tm
simply giving you the answer to a sim
pie addition sum. AS it's very short,
I'll do 1t over again. . You left the
castle as was approaching the bridge.
In fact, l was able to cross 1t while
Hubert-the faithful Hubert-was clos
ing the wicket, before he re-entered
the lodge. That's why he didn't see
me. But that's by the way. :. Well,
found your departure astounding. 1
mean, on the face of 1t, once you had
gained the castle, to deliberately leave
1t was the act of fool. But you are
no fool, Lady Helena. . was still
considering this paradox, when 1
found the postern ajar. confess that
helped me a lot-in more ways than
one. And the moment 1 heard that
the Count of Yorick was missing, the
sum came out" He uncrossed his legs
and leaned forward. "Let me put some
cards on the table. I want you to see
that, If for no other reason, because
you have scruples you are weighted
clean out of this race. You see, | am
not so embarrassed never am. Now
take tonight. Placed as you were, once
l was back in the castle, nothing this
side of hell would have got me out.
Yet the Count would have disappeared.
Now there's little problem-which l
will resolve. | assume he was drunk
forgive me, but he usually is by ten.
Well, they say blood's thicker than wa
ter, but l never found 1t so. / should
have dropped him gently into the moat.
Perhaps you think I'm bluffing.
Let me tell you what happened tonight.
| wanted a car-badly, and took the
first that came by. Well, that was
against the law. BY taking that car I
offended the law and order-two in
convenient gods. They therefore had
to be sidetracked. -. What Is left of
that car Is lying on its side in gully,
it's still burning-with the man it be-
longed to inside"
This recital was dreadful enough, but
Pharaoh lent 1t horror that made my
blood run cold.
"Are you seeking to brighten us?"
Helena said
Pharaoh sat back.
NO" he said smiling. "Only to
open your eyes"
He glanced at his watch. "Dear, dear,
quarter to two. It's far too late to
discuss my mission tonight. If you'll
promise me one or two things-well,
l daresay your room is ready" he
raised his eyes to the ceiling "-and
the room above yours"
"You insolent swiner' 1 roared. eff
you think"
The sentence ended in a manner
which l should like to forget. l yelped
with pain, leaped from my seat on the
table and swung about, smarting and
furious, to face Dewdrop's leveled pis-
tol some three feet away.
The Jew had pricked my bullock
with the blade of his knife.
hesitated, trembling with rage and
desperately weighing the chances Of
an immediate attack. Fire upon me
they dared not.
Helena's arm was about my Shout
ders, and her cool, slim hand on my
wrist.
mot that way, my darling, beg you.
Let me play the hand"
Il entirely agree" said Pharaoh.
You're much too mutton-fisted. But
you mustn't become abusive. That's
really all Dewdrop meant"
"All right" l said thickly. "You
play it. I'll manage to bide my time"
The clasp on my shoulders frightened,
but that was all.
what terms" said Helena, quietly,
do you suggest?'
Your word that you will do nothing
before midday. That at that hour you
two will be here, to take up the same
| positions you now lay down. That you
will give no orders and make no sort
of statement which might correct the
impression that l am your guest. In
word, desire your parole-the pa
role of you BOTH
II give It," said Helena, quietly.
Sand Mr.. Spencer" said Pharaoh.
Before could speak
Il pledge his word" said Helena.
"That's good enough" said Pharaoh.
ALLOW me to wish you good night"
He bowed and turned to the door.
Come. Dewdrop," he said.
Half an hour had gone by, and I was