The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1939-05-19

passage peSluS Iuc, pltCiiSI Ii HouO'
Percy Virgil picked UP my pistol,
looked at the safety-catch, weighed
the thing on his palm and slipped
it into his coat. Then he glanced
at his wrist-watch and fingered his
chin. l
"You are very convenient, Mr..
Exon. should have got you later,
but probably only after an ugly
scene. And | do so dislike being
crossed Z. -. But now you've avoid
ed all that, and, what is more, you
have made my path very smooth.
You see, my cousin is going. The
Lady Elizabeth Virgil is leaving the
castle tonight. That was always UNI
derstood, not by you, or that silver
tongued fairy, the Duchess OF
Whelp. But 1t was understood by
meas soon as / heard that my
cousin was coming back. You see,
don't want her here. really
made that plain about ten days ago.
But some people won't take a hint
Well, now she. is going for
good. She will never come back"
The man stopped there and leaned
forward, with glittering eyes.
'My luck came in, Mr.. Exon.
when you knocked over that harp
We were going, Mr.. Exon.
Elsa had received her instructions
and Elgar was on this stair. And
then you knocked over the harp !. i.
And so I held everything up and
waited for you.
''Now what will they find tomor-
row? Not one, but both of you gone
=. Abduction? Well, hardly. They
don't abduct people like you. What
about an illicit elopement? A pas
sionate fight? Oh, that's absurd
=. Wait a minute. Consider that
beautiful scene in the belvedere?
This evening at sunset, Mr..
Exon. Yes, you were watched-by
a most reliable man. And then the
key to her bedroom that a
lady gave to her swain? And then
the dressing-case which Elsa
is packing now? Elsa-there's a
good girl. She will speak to her own
reactions-with tears running down
her cheeks: how she and you fought
for her darling and how her en-
treaties were foiled by the way Of q
man with a maid. Aunt Sally may
put up a show, but she won't be
able to face these basic facts. And
/ hardly think she'll lay them be-
fore the police. / mean, they might
miss the idyn and get the blurb -
He got to his feet and yawned.
"Go and get her ladyship, Elgar;
and tell Norma Lisa I'm not going
to wait all night. If she can't pack
a dressing-case-"
''It is ready" said Elsa's voice. as
Elgar went up the stair.
"You see, Mr.. Exon" said Vir-
gil, "the way to win in this world is
to 60 all lengths. It's simpler, swift.
er and safer-every time. Think
what / should have been spared II
had taken that course ten days
ago. But there . (. One lives and
learns. Take my two, er, assistants,
for instance" He threw glance up
the stair. 81 can count upon Elsa.
She's wanted in Bristol for forgery
"a very bad case. But on Elgar
/ have no hold: so, though he does
not know it, he hasn't got long to
live. think he will be run over
I'm not quite sure. But here they
come"
He picked up a length Of cord and
then stepped over my legs and out
Of the way. The next moment Ell.
gar appeared, with Elizabeth over
his shoulder, as though she were
wounded and senseless and he was
bringing her in.
sPut her ladyship down." said
Virgil, making knot in his cord.
Elgar unshouldered his burden
and set it down on the steps.
My eyes met those Of my lady,
and order came back to my soul.
"Canst thou not minister to q
mind diseased?"
y ITO RE C(1NTINUEnJ