Evening star., 1941-09-24

Vey of the room, now STOOD at MS
leaders elbow, interested in the
mental duel. Warburton opened
his purse and dropped several dou-
ole-angels upon the head of the wine
cask. What is your price, Under
hill for what you know OF Mont
joie?"
Underhill licked his thick lips.
His eyes travelled from the golden
coins under his nose to the plump
purse in Warburton's hand. His
face betrayed the avarice mounting
within him, yet be it said to his
credit that he did struggle against
the temptation. Il have not seen
Bartho since Sir Arthur chased us
last night" he insisted, doggedly.
"Montjoies has become a criminal
Of consequence" said Warburton,
sternly. He has meddled with af-
fairs of state. and Elizabeth has de-
tailed us to bring him to book. Be
warned. Underhill-it may go hard
with you if her majesty should dis
cover that you aided in his escape
or hindered his apprehension"
A Surprising Statement.
Underhill's eyes fiickered, yet he
remained silent. Warburton con-
tinued: He cannot escape capture
the Queen is after him in dead
earnest. What will be your fate
when the Frenchman, on the rack.
names you as his accomplice?" Half
the contents of Warburton's wallet
tinkled upon the cask. Would
Montjoie show you as much consid-
Grafton if you were in his place."
Sweat started on Underhill's brow,
and he stared helplessly at his grim
tormentor. Still he uttered no word.
"One word from me can corrob-
crate any confession of Monttoie," !"
said Warburton. But on the other
hand, you can save yourself If we
can tell the Queen that you did
everything in your power to aid us as
soon as we revealed to you the true
character of Montjoie."
Hope began to dawn IN Under
hills eyes.
And in addition to saving your
skin, think how your business may
prosper under royal favor! You
could have an inn in the heart OF
London, frequented by all the gen.
tlemen of the court. The Inn of
King Edward-pouf! Why not the
Inn of Queen Elizabeth"
"Il1 talkl" Underhill dug his
fingers into the head of gold, like
bird of prey sinking talons into
choice morsel.
Hes gone to London" Underhill
was thrusting the gold pieces into
his pockets. HE left this morning
with Sir Arthur"
Sir Arthur" echoed Warburton.
A sudden fear smote him and he
caught the innkeeper's arm in a
fierce grip. Damn you, Underhill!
If any harm has come to Vance"
Underhill writhed under the wise
like fingers. Sir Arthur went will
ingly-" he gasped.
"Willingly?" Warburton shook his
head. That would be improbable
even if possible. Sir Arthur left
with me this morning" He re-
laxed his hold to permit Underhill to
speak.
Off to See Black George.
HE must have come back" said
Underhill. For when Bartho and
I returned to the inn, expecting both
of you gentlemen to be gone, there
was Sir Arthur sitting at his table
as cool as you please. He warned
us that he would kill us if we mo-
Tested him"
This Sir Arthur" CareWe in
terrupted. You are not, by any
chance, referring to blind man,
Sir Arthur Vance?"
Warburton nodded. you know
him?
Carewe smiled oddly. 1--we heard
of him.
With Sir Arthur so quietlike,"
Underhill resumed, I'VE soon forgot
he was there. Bartho, you know,
wanted to get out of England, and
finally I suggested that he 60 to
Black George, man we-er-used
to work for. The very mani
Bartho says. He can get me across
the channel if all England is on the
watch for mel Then that cursed
Sir Arthur walks over to our table
and says, Are you discussing Black
George, the head of the channel
pirates? 1 once sailed with Black
George he says, 'hefore these eyes
of mine lost their usefulness
Finally Sir Arthur convinced us
that he had been a pirate, same as
Bartho and me, and when he heard
that, Bartho was willing to shake
hand and let bygones be bygones.
I would like to visit Black George,
my old chief, again. says Sir Ar
thur, and the upshot of it was that
he and Bartho went away together"
Where is this Black George?"
Underhills fingers twisted to-
gether. DO not ask me that.
Haven't I told you enough?"
mot quite Only the capture OF
Montjoie can save your neck" War
burton reminded him. "Come-who
is this Black George?"
The knuckles cracked under the
Tightening fingers. "You-the Queen
will protect me-from him?"
You are the Queens man now,
Underhill. You have nothing to
fear"
A Startling Revelation.
Underhill took a deep breath.
Then, Black George His
voice faltered and sank 70 . whiS-