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“n‘iuufim- ru- ' uum “11.... I ‘ i' '\'l I' ..J v' - ’I UHHEhflamyyymnnnnnnurggpgugnnnfi_ We“, it was Worth a ransom. And, iand he .was thinking of nothing else So long as there was nothing dishonâ€"ifor the moment. In the dead stillâ€" >0rable attached to it, Steel was preâ€" ness of the place he could hear .the pared to redeem his pledge.’He knew-‘quick‘ breathing of his companion, perfectly well from bitter experience the rustle of her dress seemed near that the poor man pays‘usurious to him and then to be very far .Ofi- rates for fortune’s favors. ‘And he Nor did the pitchy darkness yield was not without. a strange sense ofla. jot to his now accustomed eyes. gratitude. Ifâ€"~ [He held a hand close to his eyes. Click, click, click. Three electriclbut he could see nothing. . I switches were snapped off almostl “Well?” the sweet volice i‘n simultaneous-1y outside, and the din- darkness said, impatiently. ' Well? ing'l‘oom was plunged into pitchy “Believe me, 1 W111 give you all the darkness. Steel instantly caught up assistance possible. If “you would a chair. He was no coward, but he only turn UP the light , was a novelist with a novelist’s imâ€" “Oh, I dare not. I have-given my agination. As he stood there the word of honor not to Violate the sweetest, most. musical laugh in the seal of secrecy. You may say that World broke on his ear. He caught we have been absurdly cautious .in the swish of silken drapery and the this matter, b‘lt you would “Qt think subtle. scent that suggested fragrance So‘ if you knew everything. .Even of :a‘i'woinan’s hair. It was vague, now the \vrctch who holds me in 1115 undefined, yet soothing, [power may have guessed my strategy "Pray be seated, Mr. Steel,” the {and be laughing at me. Some day, silvery voice said. "Believe me, 'perhaDsâ€"” _ had there been any other way, I; The Speaker StOIJPOCiy- Wlth would not have given you an this Ething like a sob in her throat. SCH“? trouble. You found the parcel ad-i .“we are wasting DI‘OCiOUS time," dressed to you? It is an earnest of she went on, more calmly. "I had good faith. Is not that. a correct, better tell you my history. In your English expression?” story a woman commits a crime: David murmured that it was. But‘fihe is guilty 01‘ a serious bl'e'dCh Of what. did the speaker mean? She trust to save the life of a man she asked the question like a, student of loves. By doing so she places the the English language, yet her accentlfuture and. the‘ happiness of many and phrasing were perfect, she 'people in the hands of an abandoned laughed again . notiselcssly, and once SCOundml- If She can Gilly manage more Steel caught the subtle, enâ€" to regain the thing she has parted tranciiig perfume. , from the situation is saved. Is not “I make no further apology forti'hflt 50?” . 4 dragging you here at this time," the. "So .far you have stated the case sweet voice said. “We know that correctly,” David murmured. you were in the habit of sitting up; “As I said before. I am in practi- alone late at night, hence the teleâ€" Qcany. Similar 0850- Ohlyi in my Sit' phone message. You will perhapsiuation, I hastened OVGY‘ything‘ and wonder how we came to know solisked the happiness 01' many 1380918 'much of your private affairs. Rest for the sake of a little child." assured that we learnt nothing in. “Ah!” David cried. “Your own Brighton. Presently you may gafh-iChild? NO! The Child Of one Very er why ‘I am so deeply interested inénear and dear to you, then. From you; I have been for the past fort- the mere novelist point of view, that. night. You see, we were not quite is a far more artistic idea than certain that. you would come to our mine. I see that I shall have to assistance unless we could 'find some amend my story before it is publish- means of coercing you. Then we go ed.” . to one of the smartest inquiry agents; A rippling little laugh came like in the world and say: ‘Tell us all :tlie song of a. bird in the darkneSS. about Mr. David Steel without deâ€"{ “Deaer. Steel,” the voice said, lay. Money is no object.’ In less “Iimplore you to do nothing af the than a week we know all about Beckâ€" kind. You are a man of fertile im- stein. We leave matters till the gagin-ationâ€"a plot more or less makes last moment. If you only knew Eno difference to you. If you publish how revolting it all was!" Ethat. story you go far on 'the way to "So ‘your tone seems to imply, maâ€" {ruin me.” dam,” Steel said, di'yly. | “I am afraid that I am in the dark “Oh, but truly. You were in great in more senses than one,” David trouble, and we found a way to get. lmurmurcd. you out. 'At a. price; ab, yes. Buti “Then let me enlighten you- Daily your trouble is nothing compared your books are more‘widely read. My with mineâ€"which brings me to busiâ€" enemy is a. great novel reader. You ness. ‘A fortnight ago last MontlaypUbliSh that story. and What re- you posted to Mr. Vanstone, editorlsults? You not only tell that en- ;of the ‘Piccadilly Magazine,.’ thelemy my story. but you Show him my synopsis of the first four or' fivezway out of the difficulty, and show chapters‘of a proposed serial for theihim how he can Checkmate my every ,journal in question. You open thatimove- Perhaps. after I have es- “ story with, a young and beautiful caped from the netâ€"â€"” woman who is in deadly" peril. Isi "You are right,” not that so?” ‘ ‘ ipromptly. “From a , "Yes,f’ Steel said, faintly, 'just as you suggest. But, howâ€"" ‘ed. And now you want me to show “Never mind that, _because I ainfé'Oll a Til-“Ohm and lOgiCal, a human, ‘ .not going to tell you. In common way Out-n parlanceâ€"is not that the wordâ€"thatl “If You “in (10 SO 3/011 have my 'woman is in a frightful fix. There is evermStinfs” gl'flt‘itUde-H .noth'ing strained about your heroine’s' “Then you must tell me in detail situation, because I have heard of What it iS you Want to recover. My people being in a Similar plight be..;ilcl‘0ln(? parts with a document which Flore. Mr. Steel, I want you to tell the . Villain knows to be a forgery. "me truthfully and candidly can you .Money. cannot buy it back because *See the way clear to save ymn- fiero_lthe villain can make as much money line ‘2 Oh, I don’t mean by the long “5 he 11km by l’fltainihg it. H0 does arm of coincidence or other favorite as he likes with the family property; ruses knoxvn to your craft. I mean hi} keeps my hel'oine’s husband out why Iconimon sense, logical methods, 01 England by dangling the forgery by brilliant Fuses, by Machiavenianland its consequences over his head. means. Tell me, do you see afthat iS t0 be alone? How is the Wan ' =i'uflian tolbe bullied into a false sense Thé question came eagerly, almost of security by the one man who cleâ€" imploringly, from the darkness. Davâ€":53"?S to throw dus’St in his ONOS‘?” jd could hear the quick gasps of his. “Ah,” the voice cried, “ah. if you questioner, could catch the rustle of “Puld 0‘11." 19” 1110 that! Let 111." mi" the silken corsage as she breathed. than only imagine that I am dead; "Yes," he said, “1 can see a brilâ€" let, him have Dl‘OOiS Or it, and the 1mm way out that. would satisfy the thing is done. I could reach him strictest logician, But you_____n‘ :then; I could tour from him the letâ€" "Thank Heaven! Mr. Steel, I anute‘: thatâ€"but 1 Ileed not go -.iiito do- your heroine. I am placed in. exact.~ “1115- BUT: he is cunning as the ly the same position as the woman 59"”?1113- NOthhlg but the most 00n- whose Story you are going to write. vmcmg proofs would satisfy him.” The setting is different, the local . ‘ coloring is not the same, but the physmlah .lJC‘yOIld reproach?" Same deadly peril men-aces me. For "Yo-5’- ilhat “'011131 (10- But 5’0“ .the love of Heaven hold out, your couldn t get. a medical man like that hand to save a lonely and desperate to 00mth felony" woman whose only crime is that she . n . is rich and beautiful. Providence It: StCC‘l OXCIHmmG. Steel said, professional ‘ ‘1 n my story had placed in my hands the gist ol',3_i'l‘=1}l(I is IJOI‘IJCLI‘nted to blind the' Hence. this Wham and to derive him of his wea- your heroine’s story. ' masquerade; hence the fact that “you POP-"3 11- ”5 11 case 01' the end lusti- ore here fo-night. I have lielpedii."1_ng the menus. But it is one you-help me in return.” i thmge "1." (leaf lady. to commit fraud It was some time before Steel “Gummy and to spoke. ' novel. in the latter case .You can “It shall be as you wish,” he said. ,dO-fb’ the POIlCC. "3 win (911 you huw I propose 10 you and I are dealing with real life. save my heroine. Her sufferings are‘1f I 11m to hell) .YOU I must be a fiction; yours will be real. But if‘p'ill‘l.v 10 11 felony." you are to be saved by the. some‘ means. Heaven help you to bear the troubles that main front of you. gsnwd 3'01” h01ht“- Bern”) God, it would be more m'erci_511111ll compared to what you were two ful for me to be silent and let you go hours ago- yom. own Way}- liave brains and imagination to get ' - W- out of danger. Show me how to do (3}I:\])711R1{ In. it. and the test, shall be mine. You “up: have never seen ‘lllff. you know noth- ' Dai’id was silent for some . mg. not even the name of the person time. The strangeness of the. situaâ€" tion had shut down on him again, who called you over the telephone. t a nil ' " -â€"-â€""n-r.,1â€"iâ€"rrq. mg. ‘iYou : have only - a icounsel, and if I wade in blood to “It, is point of view the story is abandon~ ‘ "A certificate of death signed by a ‘ “No, but we could trick him into perpetrate it in al but unfortunately ' _ “But you will ! You are not. going ‘ . to draw back now? Mr. Steel, 1 have: You are a happy ; If the risk is great youl my end you are safe. Tell niethow I ‘can die, disappear, leaving that one man to believe I am no more. And don’t make. it too ingenious. Don’t forget that you promised to 1 rational way out of the difficulty. How can it be done?” “In my pocket I have a cutting from the 'Times,’ which contains a lchapte'r from the history of a mediâ€" Ical student who is alone in London. "It closely resembles my plot. He says he has no friends, and 'he deems it prudent for reasons we need not discuss to let the world assume that he is dead. The rest is tolerany easy. He disguises himself and goes to a doctor 0f repute, whom helasks to come and see his brotherâ€"4.0., himselfâ€"who is dangerously ill. The doctor goes later in the day and finds his patient in bed with severe inter- nal inflammation. This is brought about by a free use of albumen. I don't know what amount of albumen one would take without extreme risk, but you could pump that information out of any doctor. Well. our mediâ€" cal man calls again and yet again, and finds his patient sinking. .The next day the patient, disguised, calls [tell me a upon his doctor with the informatiOn | that his ‘brothcr' is dead. The docâ€" tor is not in the least surprised, and without going to view the body gives a certificate of death. Now, I Rd“ mit that all this sounds cheap and theatrical. but you can’t get over facts. The thing actually happened a little time ago in London, and there is no reason why it shouldn't happen again.” “You suggest that I should do this thing?” the voice asked. “Pardon me, I did nothing of the kind," Steel replied. ,“You asked me to show you how my heroine gets herself out of a terrible position, and I am doing it. You are not without. friends. The way I was called up toâ€"n-ight and the way I was brought here prove that. With the aid of your friends the thing is pos‘ sible to you. You have only to. find a lodging where people are not too observant and a doctor who is too busy or too careless, to look after dead patients, and the thing is done. If you desire to be looked 'upon as deadâ€"esptyiially by a powerful enemyâ€"I cannot re- commend a more natural, rational way than this. 'As to the details, they may be safely left to you. The clever manner _ in which you have kept up the mystery toâ€"night ccn- vinces me that I have nothing to teach you in this direction. And if there is anything more I can doâ€"" "A‘ thousand, thousand thanks," the voice cried, passionately; "To be looked upon as 'dead,’ to lie near to therascal who smiles to think that I am in my grave. And eveiy- thing so dull antl prosaic on the sur- face! Yes, I have friends who will aid me. in the business. ‘s‘ome day I ,may be able to thank you face to face, .to tell you how I managed to see your plot. May I?" The question came quite eagcily, almost imploringly. In the darkness Steel felt a hand trembling (-n his breast, a tool, slim hand. with many rings on the fingers. Steel took the hand and carried it to his lips. .“Nothing- would give me greater pleasure,” he said. "And may you be successful. Goodâ€"night.” “Goodâ€"night, and God bless you for a real gentleman and a true friend. I will go out of the room first. and put the lights up after- wards. You will walk away and close the door behind you. The news paper cutting! Thanks. more good-night, but let us hope not goodâ€"bye." She was gone. Steel could hear the distant (lying swish of silk, the rustling of the portiere, and then, with a flick, the lights came up again. Halfâ€"blinded by the sudden illumination Steel fumbled his way to the door and into the street. As he did so Hove Town Hall clock chimed two, With a cigarette beâ€" tween his teeth David made his Way home. He could not. think it all out yet; he would wait until he was in his own comfortable chair under the roses and palms leading from his study. A fine night of adventure, truly, and a paying one. ed the precious packet. of notes to his side and his soul expanded. He was home at last. But surely he had closed the door before he started? T-le remembered distinctly trying the latch. 'And here the latch was back and the door open. The quick snap of the electric light dc- clared nobody in Beyond, the study Was in darkness. Nobody there, butâ€"~stop! A stain on the carpet; another by Itlie conservatory door. dlcd mass like a litter of empty sacks in one corner. dled mass resolved itself into the figure of a man with a white face smeared with blood. Dead! Oh, yes dead enough. I Steel flew to 'rang furiously. "Give me 52, Police Station,” he Send someâ€" cricd. “‘Are you there? Ibody at once up hereâ€"15, Downcnd i'l‘erracc. There has jiloiie here. :quickly.” Steel dropped :Stui‘ed with édi‘eadful sight before him. i CHAPTER 1V. . l For some tiincâ€"-a minute, an hour ilaich-hl‘B“â€"fllld sâ€"Sieel stood over the dreadful thing rtlaCiOUS- bill il “‘1' Silfm' “THY um“ ,liuddlcd upon the floor of his conser- doing it, out of doors." Just then he was incapable Tilli- . : VilLOl‘y. l of consecutin ideas. His mind began to move. at length. i Z . ’â€" ... to keep your own "Thesmore he th0ught' of it the more tfully,"if ,the assasain had been asâ€" ithe house. ' ,ly an ordinary one, and a key might admit it, {easily have been made to fit it: As that he had suggested that he often And once . l-Ic pressâ€" l the din in gâ€"i‘oom. , Pots of I flowers scattered about. and u hud- Iconic. out sooner or later. He had Then the bud- the telephone and been murder For Heaven’s sake come the receiver and strained eyes at the 13111111 and the absolutely certain he was that he sured that these midnight. rambles had fastened the 'door before. leaving were a matter 0f custom. The point True, the latch was on- was a shrewd one, and Steel had to lie almost. wished now a. matter of fact, David had two, one ltook these midnight rumbles. He kin reserve in case of accidents. The iregrettod the fiction still more when lother was usually kept in a jewel- jMai-ley asked if he had had some apâ€" ldrawer of the dressing-table. Per- lpointment elsewhere to-night. :hapsâ€" “No,” Dapid said, promptly, “1 David went quietly upstairs. It :liadn’t.” [was just possible that the murderer i He prevaricated without hesitation. iwas in the house. But the closest 'His adventure in Bruxiswick Square search brought. nothing to light. He could not possibly have anything to pulled out the jeWelâ€"drawer in the ido with the tragedy, and nothing Edressingâ€"table. The spare latch-key would be gained by betraying that lhad gone! Here was something to go trust. ' iupon. “I’ll run round to the hospital and ' Then there was a rumbling of an come and see you again in the morn- ielectric _ bell somewhere that set ing, sir,” Marley said. “Whatever gDavid’s heart beating like a drum. was the nature of the crime, it. 'The hall light streamed on a. police- ‘wasn’t robbery, or the criminal llllfln in uniform and an inspector in wouldn’t have left that cigar-case of ,a dark overcoat and a hard felt hat. yours behind. Sir James Lythem ion the pavement was a long shallow lhad one stolen like that at the last tray, which David recognised niechan- i races, and he valued it at £80." ically as the ambulance. "I’ll come as far as the hospital “Something very serious, sir?” In- lwith you,” said Steel. specter Marley asked, quietly. “I've At the bottom of the flight of steps brought the doctor with me." they encountered Dr. Cross and the David nodded. -Both the inspector {policeman The former handed over .and the doctor were acquaintances of lto Marley a pocketâ€"book and some ‘his. He closed the door and led the lpaperS, together with a watch and 'way into the study. Just inside I. Chaim the conservatory and not far from “Everything that we could find the huddled figure lay David’s new‘upon him,” he explained. cigar-case. Doubtless, without “Is the poor fellow dead yet?” knowing it, the owner had whisked David asked, it. Off the table when he had sprung » "No,f’ Cross replied. “He was the telephone. . stabbed twice in the back in the reâ€" “’Uni,” Marley muttered. “Is this gion of the liver. I could not say il- Chle, or yours, sir?” for sure, but there is just. a. chance He lifted the case with its dia- .that he may recover. But. one thing diamonds gleaming like stars on a. is pretty certain it will be a. good dark night. David had forgotten all time before he is in a position to about. it for the time, had forgotten say anything for himself. Goo.d-night where it came from, or that it com Mr. Steel.” taiiied £250 in bank-notes. David went indoors thoughtfully, “Not. mine,” he‘said. “I mean to .with a general feeling that something lsuy, of course. it iS mine. 'A recent like a hand had grasped his brain lpresent. The shock of this disco‘vâ€" and was squeezing it like a sponge. ery has deprived me of my Senses He was free from his earkin-g anxiety pretty well.” now, but it seemed to him that he Marley laid the cigarâ€"case on the iwas paying a heavy price for his lib- Itable. It seemed strange to him, erty. Mechanically, he counted out \Who COUld fOllow a tragedy calmly, the'banknotes, and almost as mechâ€" that a. man should forget his own anically he cut his initials on the property. Meanwhile Cross Was gun-metal inside the cigarâ€"case. He bending over the body. David could was one of the kind of men who like see a face smooth like that. of a WOF to have their initials everywhere. ‘ quick little exclamation ‘ He snapped the lights out and went to bed at. last. But not to The welcome dawn came at man. A came from the doctor. “A drop of brandy here, and much sleep. as possible,” he commanded. length and David took his bath “You don’tmean to say,” Steel gratefully. He would have to tell began: “y0u don’tâ€"” hismother what had happened, sup- Cross waved‘his arm, impatiently._ pressing all reference to the Brunsâ€" The brandy was procured as speedily wick Square episode. It was not a. as possible. ‘ Steel, watching intent- pleasant story, but Mrs. Steel as. ly, fancied that be detected a slight Similated it at length over her early flicker of the muscles of the white tea and toast. ' stark face. ' .“It might have been you, my the ambulance here,” Cross dear,” she said, placidly. “And, in- deed, it is a. dreadful business. But. why not. telephone to the hospital and ask how the poor fellow is?” The patient was better, but was still in an unconscious condition. _ (To be Continued.) ,_ 3 a. +_....__- fr; 1; '3. ABOUT FLATTERY. I ‘ ; ..-â€". When it is Co'mmendable and When Meaningless. "Bring said, curtly. “If we can get this poor chap to the hospital there is just a chance for him. Fortunately. we have not many yards to go.” .As far as elucidation went Marley ‘ naturally looked to Steel. "I should like to have your exâ€" planation, sir," he said gravely. "Positively, I have no explanation to offer,” David replied. “About midnight I let myself out to go for a. stroll, carefully closing the door behind me. Naturally, the door was on theihtch. When I came back an the screamed flatterer and the WO_ hour-oi. so later, to my horror and man who usays right out just what, surprise I found those marks of a She means,” it is generally hard to StrUggie yonder and that poor felâ€" decide, but some varieties of the 19w 13".”)? on “‘9 floor or the Conger" flutterer do deserve a good wond. V8.35?» W t} d _f t .l'l‘he neighborhood accuses a. certain retumigi. as m 001 as QnI-yom {woman of my acquaintance of giving “NO, it was pulled to, but it was :too‘ much-molasses for the bread, open all the same... j.\r_~t it admits that. she neVer speaks “You didn’t happen to lose your ‘Vor‘llsfifi tgi'm 1:13“;- (,‘_1..1.- ,. . 5. uia . ineai. --'u l'itili \ey during youi midnight tioll up a reputation like that, I would sir?" I “No, it was only when I put my willingly be known as the managing lkcb. in the door that I discovered it director of a spiritual sugar refinery. to be open. I have a spare latch-key If you feel 085‘ down abOUt. ,YOUI‘ [which I keep for emergencies, 'but filmâ€"Purchased hat, 01‘ dress» 01' PiC‘ 'when I went. to look for it just now tum, 01‘ Sideboard: this alleged flat” ltlie key was not to be found. When ter'er will open your eyesto its savâ€" .I came back the house was perfectly ing qualities. If your new window quiet.” shades seem too bilionsâ€"colored to “What family have you, sir? Aral be endured. she. will point out to what kind of servants?" you that. they are twin bursts of “There is only myself and my sunshine in an otherwise grey‘ and mother, with three iii-aids. You may cloudy world, If vou are simpr dismiss any suspicion of the servants 1mm; without, reason, she will give from 3'01"" mind ill" once" My mother Ivou 'a good reason for being other- ltrained them all in the old Vicarage wise 4 [whole I was born. and 1...: one of the ‘make the best of every person and trio has been with , . ‘ ,’ I.t“mill;t‘vcaéiiinplifics lll‘liiO'S someâ€"'10 he," lit-hat," Marley said, tl'iouglitfully. “fights”. (T’OUI‘Zé' .‘5 “1° defense °f “Apparently your latchâ€"key was stolâ€" "e, a at?" _W 0 IS, a ways a’ 5.1“?- ;0n by somebody who has made careâ€" in” lief” lndourwplesencc’. a‘ndllgmlls If,” Study of your habitS DO you .0 bit iig flost when you1 back is ggenorally go for late Walks after turned. It is only a plea that 0.0m. household has go“, to bed latter should not be confounded With lSirQH' ' the woman who makes of every soâ€" ,cial atmosphere “good growing wea- ther” for the ever lovely virtues of charity, harmony and: I David replied smiiewhai grudgingly liliat he had never done such a thing ‘liefoi'e. He would like to have con; trust and L'cnlod the fact, but it was bound to jhope. _._____;...._._..» HOW INDIANS COUNT. , The Indians of Guinea have a curiâ€" m lous system of numeration. They icount by the hand and its four fingâ€" lers. Thus, when they reach five, in~ incvcr done beforeâ€"and when you Stead 0f saying 50. they 0a” it 8» :COIllO back you find somebody has i”hanCl-" Six is. therefore. a "hand’ get info your house by means of a land first finger”: seven, a “hand and :thOiOll latch-key and mur-I‘orcd some- second finger." Ten is “two hands”: ibody else in your C0nSf‘l‘\:lf.Ol'y. Ac- but twenty, instead of being "four icording to that, two people must lnands,” is a "man." Forty is_”two- ,men," and thus they go on by twenâ€" jhave entered the house." ‘3 "That's logic,” thifl admitted. ties. Fortyâ€"six is expressed as “two men, a hand and first finger.” iml‘hcrc can be no murder without the slayer. My iiiipi'es~ .____..__+_.. gsion is that somebody who krimvs FRESI.[ AIR TABLETS itlie wavs of the house watched me ‘ , _ ' “iii-(ash air tablets ’ have been pre- foreign scientist, who, 'depart. Then he lured his victim llll 1 _ here under pretence that. if was his'pm.cc P-V '1 . ' . while investigating acetylene. found of several chemicals, lsfrolled along the front. and round Illrunswick Square. Marley shrugged ihis shoulders. 1 “Well, it’s a bit of a puzzle gme,” he admitted. “Yon go out. for in midnight walkâ€"a thing you have own . houseâ€"be had- the purloined _ . murdered him, . Aug-a combination ‘solved and gave forth pure oxygen. illni'ley's imagination refused Such tablets should be extremely use- to go so far. The theory was plauâ€" fill in closed sible enough, he pointed out respectâ€" lboats, and mines. When it comes to a choice between ' It. is the habit of her life to ' "9 less “a” ‘cvery set of circumstances that comes. .which, being dropped into water, disâ€" V carriages, submarine. i ‘l -I l