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Home My WebLink AboutThe Huron Expositor, 1932-04-15, Page 7S4, Alas ti y9 avinrpo 'sr i up,1 we,. Vaxicoeell?x Varielme Veils, Abdoi einal W+'aalnnees, Spinal Deform, tty. Conenitatien free. Ca,A . or write. 4. H, BMITK, British Appli- ance Specialists, 16 Dpwaie St., -Strat- ford, Olt. 82.02-25 • �: '�� ,xr '",?'.?fie LEGAL Phone No. 81' JOHN J. HUGGARD Barrister, Solicitor, - ;Notary Public, Etc. • Beattie i+ •t ock - - Seaforth, Ont. _____4,......_______:_,,,,,.....„,„ R. S.:RAYS Barrister, Solicitor,. Conveyancer sad Notary Public. Solicitor for the Dominion Bank. Office in rear of the Dominion Bank,Seaforth. Money yto • BEST .8c BEST Barristers, Solicitors, Conveyan- cers "and Notaries. Public, Etc. Office lathe Edge • Building, opposite The Expositor Office. l - VETERINARY • '---a JOHN JOHN ,. Honor graduate of Qntario Veterin- ary College. All diseases of domestic animals treated, Calls ,promptly at- tended to and charges, moderate. Vet- erinary Dentistry a specialty. Office and residence on. Goderich Street,one door east of Dr. Mackay's office, Sea - forth. A. R. CAMPBELL, V.S. r' """, • Graduate of ' Ontario Veterinary College, University of 'Toronto. All diseases of domestic animals treated by the . met modern principles. Charges reasonable, Day or night l attended calls prompty a to. Office On Main ,iitree Hensall, opposite Town Halt Phon 116. f• MEDICA ' 1 DR. E. J. R. FORSTE Eye, Ear, Nose nd-Tl(roat Graduate in Medicine, University of Toronto. . Late assistant New'York. Opthal- 1 and Aural Institute, • Moorefield's Eye and Golden Square Throat Hos- pitals, London Eng. At Commercial , Hotel, Seaforth; third Monday .,in each month, from 11 a.m. to 3 p:m. b8..Waterloo Street, South,. Stratford. DR. W. C. SPROAT • Graduate of Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Ontario, •.Lon- don. Member of College of Physic- ians and Surgeons of Ontario. Office in Aberhart's Drug Store, Main St., Seaforth. Phone 90. ' DR. A. NEWTON-BRADY Graduate Dublin University, Ire- land. Late Extern Assistant Master Rotunda Hospital for •W,pmen and Children, Dublin. Office at residence lately occupied by Mrs. Parsons. Hours: 9 to 10 a.m., 6 to 7 p.m., Sundays, 1 to 2 p.m. 2866-26 DR. F. .1. BURROWS Office and residence Goderich Street, east of the United Church, Sea- , forth. Phone '46. Coroner for the County of Huron. , DR. C. MACKAY C. Mackay, honor graduate of Trin- t ity University, and gold medalist of Trinity Medical College; Member of i the College of Physicians and Sur- 1 geons of Ontario. i • DR. H. HUGH. ROSS i Graduate. of University of Toronto Faculty. of Medicine, member of Col- lege of Physicians, and Surgeons of Ontario; opass, graduate courses in Chicago Clinical School of, Chicago ; Royal Opphthalmie Hospital, London; „ England •University Hospital; ' Lon- 1 don,England. Office -'Sack of Do- minion Bank, Seaforth. Phone No; 5. Night calls answered from residence, Victoria Street, ,Seaforth. DR: S. R. COLLYER -Graduate Faculty of Medicine, Uni- versity of Western Ontario. Member . College of Physicians and Surgeons of Qrtario. Post graduate work r: r; New i York City Hospital and Victoria°Hos- vital, ' London. Phone; Hensall, 56. Office, King Street, 'Hensall. ' i . DR. J'• .A .MUNN • Graduate of Northwestern Univers- ilty Chicago, 111.1 Licentiate Royal . College of Dental • . geons; Toronto. Ocoee over Sills' Hardware, Main St., Seaforth: Phone 151. • DR, F. J. BECHELY Graduate Royal College of Dhiital' Surgeons, Toronto. Office over W. R. Smith's Grocery, Main Stret,"ea- forth. Phones: ' O �sce, 185 VWjP, ; esi- dence, 185 J. ' ` , " CONSIIJL')�`I 'G ENGINEER ' i B.A.Sc., Toronto S. W. Arehiba � ( ), O.L.S., Registered Professional,, En- gineer and Land Surveyor. Victor Building, 288 Dundas Street, Lon- don, • Ontario. 'Telephone: ,Metcalf 28b1W. ;, ee '` •• , AUOIONEERS OSCAR HLOPP• i• Honor Graduate Carey'Jones' Nas ' tional Sehool for Auetioneering, Chi-, ' cage. Special course taken in Pure Bred Live Stock, (teal Estate, Mer-; ehandise and Vann : Sales." Rates in ; keeping with Prevailingmarkets. Sat- ; ist✓'aetion assured. Write or wire, guar Klopp, 7`tirich, Ont. Phone : , Xg-g$. • , • 2866.62 , r BY EDC ; (Continued from last week As he spoke he heard his name. called +and Lomond ran into the ciiakgge room •frim the passage lead- ing 1 the' cells, s "Ie ,ieerthlr�g'; 'x!iing?" asked Alan quit •r.> ;? " at cell did you put Lenley in?" ul ber eight at the far end," said Carter. "The door's wide 'open -it's `emp- ty !'!' • 'Carter, flew out of the. room. Alan picked up the 'phone from the serg- eant's desk. "By Grid, Lomond, he'll be after. .Meister." Carter cane into the room hurried- ly., got arway all right," 'he said. "'he door is`wide open, and so is the dor into the yard!" ."Two oaf 'I,n y men, Carts-," said Wembury q ickly, and then the num- ber he had ked for came through. 1 ? num- "Scotland Sol and ar d Give ire the night officer . . Inspector (Wembury speaking. Take this for all stations. Arr stand detain. John Len - ley, who esca ed`- to -night from Flan- ders Lane poll, a station whilst under detention. Ag 21, .height six feet, ark, wearing a -n-':' "Blue ser .-'" 'Iodinated Sergeant Carter. '"He's a ;convict .on license," eon-. tinued Wenebury. "Sort that ofrit,`will`, you? Thank you." - 'De hung up the ,receiver as a de- tective• carie in. `";,et your bicycle and go round to all patrols. Lenley's got away. You can describe the roan." To the second man who came in: "Go to Makpas Mansions-Lenley fries there with his sister. Don't alarm the, young lady, do you under- stand? If you find'.hine, bring him in." -- When the men had hurried out into the thick night, Alan strode up and down the charge room. This danger to Meister was a new one. Dr. Lo- mond was going and collecting his impedimenta. '"How• the dvfl did he get away Wemlbury put his". thoughts into words. "I have•,my own theory," said Lo- mond. "If' you allow Detective In Spector Bliss too near ,a prisoner, he'll get away easily enough." ' On 'which cryptic note he left. 'lie •had to wait at the head of the steps to allow Sam Hackitt to pass in -wand Hackitt did not come will-. ingly, for he was in 'the hands of a detective, and a uniformed. policeman. Alan heard a familial• plaint and looked over hiss shoulder. "'Evening, !'Mr. Wembury. See what they've done to me Why don't you stop 'em 'ounding me down. " he denrandetd in a quivering voice. "What's thea•,trou,ble?" asked AIan testily. He was in no mood for the recital of petty larcenies. "I saw this man on . Deptford Broadway," said the detective, "and asked him.what he had in his. bag. He refused to .open the 'bag, and tried to run away. I arrested him." "That's a lie," interposed Sam. Now speak the truth; don't perjure yourself in front of witnesses. I simply .said: 'If you want the bag, take it.' " "Shut up, Hackitt," said Wembury. "What is in the bag?" '''''Here!" said Sam, hastily -breaking n. "I want to'tell you a'bbut 'that. rag. T,, tell you the truth, I found t. It was layin' against a wall, an'-' I says to meself, r'I wonder what that 1 s?'t--yet like that." "And what did th'e bag say?" ask-' ed 'the",eceptical Carter. The ' bag "said" ,many damning 1 things. The first thing revealed was :the cash -box. Sam had not had time 1 to throw it away. The sergeant op- ened it, and took out a thick wad of nates and laid them on the desk. "Old Meister's cash box!" Sam's tone was and of horror and amaze -1 rnent. "Now how did that get there? There's a mystery for you, Wembury! That ought to' be in your memories when you write them for the Sunday newspapers. "Strange and myster- raves discovery of as cash box!'" I "There's nothirvg mysterious about t," said Wembury. "Anything else?" One by one they produced certain E articles which were ver +inn. n "It's ag. l cop," ,said Sam phil'dsbphic- ally. "You've spoilt the best honey- frloon Pm ever likely to have -that's what you've done,•' Wemlbury, ' Who F me?" a "Name?" asked Carter convention-: "Samuel -Ct�athber•,t 'LAekitt _- don't forget the haiteln" "Address?" Seen *rinkled his nose. • "Buckingham Palace," he said sar- castically. "No address. , What was,,iyour last job?" " • t" ' "Chambermaid! 'Ere, Ali., "Wem- bury, do you know what Meister gave me for four days' work? Ten'bob! That's sweating! I wouldn't go into that house-'aiunted, �I call it---" The 'phone rang at ,that moment and Carter answered •ft... "Haunted?" "`I was in 'Meister's, room and 1 was just Coming away with the ;stuff when I felt -<a 'cold hand. toueh me! Gold! Clammy like a dead man's hand! .1 jttinpedl1 for the winder and J out\en' the lends!" 'Carter severe l the telephone re- ei�vler with his palm. "It's Atkins, sir -the man at 1eister"s house. He says he can't na'ke "him hear-s✓Meis'ter's gone up o his roam but the door's locked'!"a Alan went to the 'phone entekly, `It's 'Mr. Wemlbury speaking. Are "ou in the house? . . . You can't yet ire? Can't make him heart? . . fou can't get any answer at all? Is here 'a.lig'ht in any of the windows? . You're quite sure he's: in the 4! e4 •5 WALL `CE ,rs r' house?' 1. • :r', I j , "tiG iv!e me` any 'kind of key -a can (Carter' saw 'his nate 'tchart e " open it," 'said Hae1Gitt. "W hat's that?t ;,The Ringer's been They stood impatiently by whilst seen in Deptford+ to -night? P11 come he fiddled with the. lock. His 'boast along right away."was justified -in a few seconds the He hung up the receiver. natal snapped back and the dolor "I don't 'know . how Much- of that opened.. cold hand is cold feet, IHiackitt, but Only one big standard lamp burnt you're coming along to 'Meister's in the room, and this threw an eerie house with ane: • Take him along!" . light upon theyellow faee of . Mete - Protesting noisily, Mr: iI•aekitt+.was ter. He was in evening dress and sat hurried into the street. ' at the piano, his arms renting on' the From his hip pocket Werrelbury.slip- top, 'his yellow' face 'set in a look of ped an •automatic,,,.clicked back the fear. jacket and went swiftly to the door "Phew!" said Alan, and wiped •his "-Good luck;? sir!" said Carter. streaming forehead. "I've heard the -Alan thought he would need all the expression 'dead to the world,' but luck that came his way. this is certainly the first time I've seer a„ man in that state.” He shook the daaed lawyer, but. he might as well have .shaken himself for all the effect it had upon the slumnllerer. • • "Thank Gamed!" said a voice ,behind. I was It a Hackitt's trembling„ voice. I never thought I'd be glad to see that old bird alive!” Alan glanced up at the chandelier that hung from the ceiling. "Put' on the lights," he said. "See if you can wake him, doctor." "Have you tried !burning -his ears?" suggested the helpful Hackitt and was sternly ordered to be quiet. "Can't a man ex -press his emotions?" asked Mr. Hackitt wrathfully. There's no law against that, is there? Didn't 1 tell you, Mr. Wembury? He's dop- ed! I've seen him like that before- -doped and dizzy!" "Hackitt, where were you in th's room when. yon felt the hand?" asked •- Alan. 'Take the cut off." The . handciiff was unlocked and Hackitt meed to a place almost op- posite the door. Between the door and the small settee was a supper table, whichWemlbury"''had seen the. an ornenti`he; ane into the room. So Mary hin d\ t come: that was an in- stant cause of relief. "I was here,", said 2i;ackitt. "The hand cameci , i n there." He pointed ftp the mystery door, and Wem'buryl, saw that the bolts were shot, ' the door locked and the key hung in its place on the wall. It was impossible that any"body• could have cc:ne into the room from- that entrance without Meister's assistance; He next turned his attention to the window. The chintz curtains had been puf'fe'd' across; H .ckitt had non, t -iced' '•this immediately. He had left them half -drawn .and window and grille open; - "Sonielbody's been here," he said emphatically. "I'm sure the old ma:" hasn't moved. I left the bars unfas- tened." The door leading to Mary's little office room was locked. So was the secorel door, which gave to the priv- ate staircase to 'Meiste'r's own bed- room. He lookedoat the bolts again and was certain they had not been touched that night. It was a dusty room; the carpet had not been beat- en for months, and ..every footstep must stir„ -tin a little dust cloud. He wetted his finger, touched -the knob of the holt, and although he had handled it that afternoon, there were miscroscopicspecks to tell him that the doorway had not been used. Atkins was working at the sleep- ing Meister, shaking hini gently, en- couraged thereto by the uncomfort- able snorts he provoked, but so far his efforts were unsuccessful. Wem- bury, 'standing by .. the supper table, looked at it thoughtfully. "Supper for two," he said, picked up a 'bottle of champagne, and ex- amined it. "Cordon Rouge; '11." "He was expecting somebody," said Dr. Lomond wisely and, when Wem- hury nodded: "A lady!" "Why a lady?" asked Wembury ir- ritably. "Men drink wine." The doctor stooped and picked up a sinal silver dish, piled high with candy. "But they seldom eat chocolates,"/ he said, and Wembury laughed irri-- ably. " ''ou're .-becoming a detective in spite of yourself. Meister has -queer tastes." There was a :small square morocco case under the serviette that the doc- tor end. ' He opened it. From the velvet bed witbiii there \tar)ne the glit- ter and sparkle of dial%mnds. 'IIe he the kind of man who gives these things to his --queer friends?" -he asked With a quiet smile. 'I .don't know." Wemibuny's an- swer Was brusque to rudeness., ""Loolq, governor! ",whispered Hack- itt. • ' • Meister was moving; his -head Mov- ed restlessly frgim side to side. Pres- ently' he becaYrle awareethat he -Was not alone. ' -•+' "Hallo, people!" he said thickly, "Give me a drink." He groped out for an ievisilble bot- tle. "I think you've had enough drink and drugs for one night, Meister. Pull yourself together. (live something unpleasant to tell you." • (Meister looked at hire stupidly. "What's the nine?" he asked slow- ly. "Half -past twelve." The answer partially sobered the man. - "Half -past twelve!" He staggered rockily to his, feet. "Is she here?" he asked, holding on to the table. "Is who here?" de'rhanded Wem- bury with cold deliberation. Mr. Meister shook his aching head. "She said she'd come," he mutter- ed. "She promised faithfully , twelve d'clock. If she tries to fool me"Whe�'is the `she,' Meister?" asked Wembury, and the lawyer smiled foolishly. "`Nobody you know," he said. "she was coming to keep you com- pany, I suppose?" asked Weinbury.. 'You've got it. '. . Give me a drink." The man was still dazed, hardly conscious of what - was going on 'a- . CHAPTER • XLVI The car was worse, than useless= the fog was so thick 'that they were forced e to feel their way by railing and wall. One good piece of luck they had= --Alan overtook the doctor and -commandeered hes services: The route led through- the worst part of Flanders Lane -a place where the po- lice' went in couples. Wet:ribury's hand lamp showed- a pale yellow blob that was almost use - lea's:: , :Ii - , •t 'IR thin u,. doctor?" he asked and heard a *tint, • • I v"Wlhat :,a fearful hole! .lWhere am "In Flanders Lane,"•said Wembury. He had hardly spoken -the words be • fore a titter o8 laughter came ,from' somewhere near at harld. "Who is that?" asked Lo+lnond. "Don't move," warned Alan. "Part of -the road is up. - Can't you see the red light?" He thought he saw a Isinkish blur ahead. "'I've .been seeing the red• light 'all tbie evening," said Lomond. "Road up, eh?".. Some unseen person spoke hoarse- ly in the fog. - "That's him that's going to get The Rimer!". They heard the soft chuckle _of many voices. • "Who was ,that?" asked Lomond again, °`You are in Flanders Lane, I tell you," replied Alan. "It's other name is Little Hell!" • The doctor dropped his voice. -. I can see nobody. "They are sitting --.on their ' door- steps watching us," •answered Alan in the same tone. ' "What a night for The •.Ringer!" Near at hand and from some mis- erable louse a cracked gramophone began to play. Loudly at first and then the volume of sound decreased as.•th.ough a door` were 'shut upon it. Then.frone an-other,direction a wo- •rnan's voice shrieked: "Pipe the• fly. doctor! 'Ini',that's•, goin' to get The Ringer!" • "I -Tow tllir devil can they :see?:' ask- ed sk-ed Lomond• in amazement. Alan shivered. - "They've got rats' -eyes," he said, 'Hark at, the rustle of them -ugh!. Hallo there!" Somebody had touched him on the. shoulder. "They're having a joke with. us. Is it like this all the way, I wonder? Ahead, a red light glowed and an- other. They saw a grimy old man crouching over a brazier of coke; a watchman. For a second as he rais- ed his hideous face, Lomond was startled. •- "Ugh! Who are you," he demand- ed. "I'm the watchman. It's a hor- rible plane, is Flanders Lane. They're always tellniming-it'd freeze your blood to hear the ,things I hear." ,His tone was deep -sepulchral. "She's been hangin' round• here all night -the lady?" he said amazingly. "What lady?" asked ,Wembury. "I thought she was a ghost -you see ghosts here -and hear 'em." Somebody- screamed in one of the houses they could not see. "Always shoutin' mirder in Flan- ders- Lane," said the old watchman- gloomily. "They're like`.beasts down •in them cellars -some Of 'eel . never comes out. t They're born do there and they die down there.",• At that minute-I"omorlyd flt!a hand touch his 'arm. " "Where are you?" he,•asked. "Drin't go any farther -for God's sake!" she whispered and he • was staggered. "Cora Ann!" "Who is that?" as'k'ed Alan turning back. 4`There's death there no death"- sCora's lows voice was urgent--PIivant' to save you. Go back; go back!" "Trying to stare arse;" sai&Lomond, reproachfully. "Cora Anhrre In another instant. she *ks"''gone and at that Momentthe fog lifted and they could see ' the street lamp outside 'Meieter's ,'arouse. Atkins was waiting under the cov- er of the glass awning, and had noth- ing iiiore to report. "I didn't want to break the door un- til you came in. There was no 'sound that I could hear except the piano. I went round the back of the house, there's a light burning in hi,s room but I could see that, of course, frown un- der his door." "No sound?" ,"None -only the piano." Alan. hurried into the house, fol- lowed ,iby the .manacled Hackitt and his custodian, Atkins and the doctor bririging up the rear. He went up the stairs and knocked at the door heartily. There Was no answer. Ham- mering on the panel^with his fist, he shouted the lawyer's name, but still there was n`o reply. • "Where is the housekeeper?" he aeked. "Mrs. 1.'? "In her room, sir. At least, she was there a few hours before. But she's" deaf.' • "Stone deaf, I should say" said At+tlana and then: ' fiat he "saw?", " r` 1..41.0tt 6 gag x ' Q alt. " 1 e's WW:id Iffn the ? 0:00:r ebargel"' ''! `Flop,40. -'Have you lost your cash• 'box.?" betsaara tg e asked Wena!bury: leave mai °elV •"E,'h' ? Logit' , ?'x lie aat�n lr "Mr '�??ibltry' Ja ' n . toYearda the:.drawer a puled i ape ham s r, ,,af ele ,Gare eta. Gone l e cried oarSel�' "YOU rap toic haiia, ,tl• $9.t took it!" 11 e. pointed a trelnibling fin to make a s s fi orf toe ger two Sam, "Yon. dirt , thief 3i' ought• to'Ibe e� l}e�,er i'NSlteady;, '* ow," said Wemihur'y,. and here.. Personally;"t' t e a44ed,4"1-, caught hang as he swayed. "We've got to have •the. fat o;f,edalTng 1;he; Hackitt; you can charge him in the try on the wiaiellar, ,er w morning." • - he Iceel?s' the fir:, "Stole my' cash -lbw -El" He was (Again 'ironaofsl 'heard a sound- •; 'm -"- audlin in his • anger .and drunken- went to the' door 1eacliag to Meaater*ja: Hess, "Bit , the -hand that fed him!" room and, Pallurj 'open, stared. AV "M"r. ,a'leitt's lisps curled. an .'Wembury was corning dawn the '" "`iI like your -'idea about, feeding!" be said scornf: "Cottage pie and rice pu'ddi ? - But Meister was, not listening. "Give me a .drink." • .Wembury gripped him by the arm. "Do you realie what this means?" he asked. "The Ringer is in Dept.. ford."- • But he might have ebeen talking to a pian of wood." • "Goon joib," said Meisterwith drunken` gravity, and„ -,tried to loo at his -watch. "Clear out: I've got a friend coming. to see me."•' `"Your friend has a, very poor of getting in. A11 the doors of this room are fastened, except where Atkins is on duty, and they will remain mai n fasten ed. Meister muttered' something, • trip- ped end would have fallen if Wm - bury .ihad not caught him by the. arm and lowered hire again into the chair.' "The Ringer!" . 'Meister sat with his head . on his hands. "He'll have oto be clever to. .getl me• l.' . 1 cant think to -night,, but to -morrow l'll tell you where .you can put your hands on him; -Wembury. My boy, you're 'a smart detective, aren't you." lie el vekled -foolishly, "Let's have another drink." • Hio i,ad hardly spoken the w ir1; w;lcn two of. the three Iights in the chansle'icr went out. -, • , '"Who did that?" asked Wenrbwy, turning sharply. "Did anybody to+.rch the boarckk" ' "No sir," said Atkins, standing; at the door and pointink to the switch. "Only I could have touched it." Hackitt was near the window, 'ex- amining the curtains, when the light had diverted his attention. ' "Come over this side of the room: Wemlbury. you're too near the Window," sail "I was :wondering who pulle 1 the curtains, 'Mr. Wembury,'L• said Hack- itt in a troubled voice. "I'll .swear it wasn't the old man. He was sleeping when I left him and you, couldn't get any answer by telephone, .could. you." He„ took hold of the curtain and pulled it 'aside and stared out into, a Bale_ face 'pressed against. the „pane; a pale, 'bearded face; that 'vanished in- stantly in the darkness. At Ifackitt's stream -of terror Alan' ran to the window. "What was it?" "I don't know," gasped Sam. "Some- thinkins.g!" "I saw something, too," said At - Danger was at hand.. There was a creeping feeling in Man Werp'bury's spine, a cold shiver •that sent the mus- cles of his shoulders rippling involun- tarily. "Take that man," he,said. The words were hardly out of his lips when all the lights in- the room went out. "Don't, move, anybody?" whispered Alan. "Stand fast.! Did you touch the switch, Atkins?" "No, sir." "Did any of you men touch the switch?" There was a chorus of Noes. The red light showed above the door. Click! . Somebody had come into the room! 'Atkins, stand, by Meister feel along the table till you find him, Keep quiet, everybody." • Whoever it was, was in the room now. Alan heard the unquiet breath- ing the rustle of a soft foot on the carpet and. waited. Suddenly there was a flicked of light. Only for a second it showed a white circle on the door of the safe, and was gone; An electitic hand lamp, and they were working at the safe. Still he did•, not move, though he was now in a position that would enable him to cut across the intruder's line of re- treat. _ He. moved stealthily, both hands outstretched, his ears trained for the slightest sound. And then sud= detily he gripped somebody, and near- ly released his hold in his horror and amazement. A wonnan! She was struggling frantically. "Who are you?' he asked hoarse- ly "Let me go!" Only a whispered voice, stifftined, unrecognizable. "I want you," he said, and then his knee struck something sharp and hard. It was the corner of the set- tee and in the exquisite pain his hold was released. In another second she had escaped . . when he put out his hands he grasped nothing. And then he hearda voice --deep, booming, menacing. "Meister, I have come for you-" There was the sound of a cough - a long, choking cough. . . . "A piglet, somebody!" - As Wemlbury shouted, he heard the -thud of a•closing door. "Strike a match. Haven't any of you men torches?" And% when the lights eame on they looked at one another in amazement. There was nobody in the room save those who had been there When the lights went out, and the door was locked, bolted, had not been touuched; the key still hung on the wall. Alan stared; and then his eyes, travelling along the wall, were ar- rested by a sight that froze his blood. Pinned to the wall by his own swordstick drooped Maurice -Meister, and he was dead! Froin somewhere outside the room came a laugh: a long, continuous, raucous laugh, as at a' good joke, and the men listened and shivered, and even the face of Dr. Lomond changed color. CHAPTER XI"V'II It was an hour after IMeister's body had been removed and Dr. Lomond stairs: "There are three ways into 'the' house. .I've found two of thelm," he said. Atkins; • who had been' searchin4 some of the lower 'roams, eame in at that moment. "Have yore finished?" . asked`_Wein- bury. "Yes, sir. 'Meister was a fence all. right." . ; Alan nodded slowly. "Yes, I know. Is your relief here?" "Yes, sir." "A11• right. You can. go. Good night, A.tkinst" . ' . Lomond was looking at Wembury narrowly. He waited until the man had gone before he drew up a chair to the sSupper table. "Wembury, m'y' boy, you're worried about something -is it about Miss Lenley?" "Yes --I've been to see her." "And, of course, it was she who came into.the room at that awkward moment?," Alan stared at him. "Lomond, I'm going to take a risk and tell you something. and there is no reason why .I shouldn't, because this business has altered all The Rin- ger stuff. What happened tonight may mean ruin. to me as a police of- ficer . . . ' And still I don't care. Yes, it was Mary Lenley." ' • :- The doctor nodded gravely. "So I supposed,". he said. "She came to get . a cheque that Meister. told her young Lenley ro forged --a pure invention on Meis- ter's part." ""How did she ge,t into the room?" asked Lomond. "She wouldn't tell Me that - she's heartbroken. We took her brother and although' Pen certain he will get off. she doesn't believe that." "Poor kid; still, my boy -happy ending and all that sort of thing," said Lomond with a yawn. "Happy .ending! You're an optim- ist, doctor." "r am. •I never lose hope," said Lomond complacently. "So you've got - young Lenley- That laugh we heard -ugh!" 'We,rlbury shook his head. - "That wasn't Lenley? There is nr mystery about the laugh -one " of the Flanders Lane people going home -normally tight. The policeman on duty outside the house saw him and heard him." "It sounded- in the house," said Lan, mond with a shiver. i"Well, The Ringer's work is done. There's no danger to anybody else, now." "There's always danger enough-" began Wembury, and lifted his head, listening. The sound this time was more distinct. "What was that? Sounded „ like somebody moving about the house,' said Lomond. "I've heard it before." Alan rose. - "There is nobody in the house ex- cept the fellow outside. Officer.!" Harrap ea me in. "Yes, sir?" - "None of our people upstairs?" •"Not that I know of, sir." Wembury went• to the door, opened it' and shouted: "Anybody there?" There was no answer. "Just wait here. I'll go and see." " "All right, officer,, you can go down," he said shortly, and when the. man saluted and went out: There was a window open upstairs -a cat must have got in." Lomond's eyes did not leave his face. "You look rather scared. What's the matter'?" he demanded. "I feel rather scared," admitted Wemlbury, "This• place stinks of death." But the answer did not satisfy the shrewd Lomond. "Wembury-you saw something or somelbody- upstairs," he challenged. "`Yourre a thought -reader, arfen't you?" Alan .% voice was a little hus- ky. "fn a way, yes," said the' other slowly. "At this moment you are thinking of Central Inspector Bliss." Webibury started, but he`was re- lieved of the necessity for replying. There was a tap at the door and the policeman entered. has just been reportedto me, sir, that a, man has been seen getting over the wall," he.said. Wembury did not move. "Oh! . . . How long ago?" "About five minutes, sir." "Was that, the dat?" asked Lomond satirically, but Alan did not answer, 'You didn't see him?" he asked.. "No, sir; it happened when I 'was up here,"'said Harrap. "Excuse me, tiir; my reliefs overdue." Wembury snapped round impatient- ly. "All right, all right. You can go." • There was a long silence after the man had gone. "What do you make of that?" ask- ed Lomond. "It may have been one of the re- porters; they'd sit on a 'grave to get a story." "That's not a cat, Wembury." The nerves of Abaft Wembury were at brealking point. Slipping from the shadow df the curtains, Bliss came towards Lo- mond, an automatic in his hand. "You can tell rte, ele--then who is The Ringer?" A hand stretched but and snatched: at his hat. "You!" said the voice of 1 Bliss. "I want you -Henry Arthur Milton !" Lomond leapt to his feet. "What the .hell—?" No longer was he the grey-haired doctor. A straight, handsome man of thirty-five stood in his place. "Stand still!" Alan 'hardly recog- nized his own voroe. "Search him!" said Bliss and Alan stripped tiff the "doctor's" overcoat. "Bliss., eh?• It doesn't fit you! You are tthe sand;: when y4 tried :to arfe• ., years, agar." "`,So yen Aid,:". sad Bliss "•That's •.a lion' -1 never oar knife. Yon know that .less. aJ his teeth in an exigtant gruff,. "I know that I've • got you, ---that's all I ' hnow. Come from .Port Said, did you - attended a siek man there? .I thought • yoter woman . kne6i► I suspected you when she was seared that day at Scotland Yard." - Ienry', Arthur ur Milt on smiled conxernpltuoaislue=. ,"You flatter' yourself,' my dear fel lows That woman -,who •-hapipens to• be my wife -was scared not because see- evensaw you --but because she • ri- cognized me!" "That Port -Said story was good,''s said`Bliss._"You saw a sick 'man -there -Dr. Lomond, , a dope who'd ibeeri' rost to sight for years., and sunk to native • ' level. 'He died and.you took his name and papers." "I also nursed him -and I paid far his funeral," added Milton. - "You tried to make people suspiee sous .of me -you've got a cheek; it was you who let Lenl e y>: out of the cell!" The Ringer inclined his head, . "Guilty. Best thing Lever did." -• "Clever!" approved Bliss. "I . h'and ' t to you! Got your job,as police king- , einrby smoodging a Cabinet Minister'' you met on the boat, didn't you?", • The -Ringer shuddered. He heard the patter of •footstep; on the stairs. In another minute Cora.' Ann had flown into her husband''s+ arms. - . ,"Arthur! Arthur!" "All right,' 'Mrs. -Milton. 'That'll don that'll do," cried (Bliss; "I told, you: •-I told you -oh, Arthur!" she sobbed.. ,Bliss tried to pull her away. "Come on." "One. minute," said The Ringer-, ' - and then to the •girl;• "Cora Ann, you - havent forgotten?" • She shook her head. "You promised me something: you,: remembr?" "Yes --Arthur," she said.. "I•nstantly all the suspicione„,.of .$piss.. _.__ Were aroused and he dragged the wo- ' man' away. "What's the idea? You keep off anti don't interfere.” •- She turned her white face to his_ - "You want to take him and shut him away," she cried wildly "like a wild animal behind bars; like.a beast -like something that isn't human. That's what you want to do! You're• • going to bury him alive, blot out his • ife, and you think I'll let you do it! You think I'll stand right here and: 'watch him slip .into a living grave - and not sane• him from it." "You can't save him from the gal- ows!" was the ha -sh reply. "I can't, can't I?" .she almost. screamed. "I'll show you that I pan!'' To late Bliss..,,saw the ,pistol,"`but • before he could snatclh it from her hand she had fired. The Ringer col apsed into a settee. "You little brute-Wembury!" yel- . ed Bliss. Wembury went to his as- sistance and wrenched the revolver from her hand. As he did so, The Ringer rose swiftly from the place - where he had been lying limp and ap- parently lifeless and walked out of the door, locking it behind him. "My God! He's gone!" roared Bliss,. andthrew open the chamber of the - 'evolver. "Blank cartridge. After him! Wembury rushed to the door and pulled at it. It was locked. "Smash in the panel," cried Bliss. 'The key's on the other side." And then. to the girl: "Laugh will you - I'll give you something to laugh at!" With a crash the panel split and in' another few seconds Wembury -was >ng down the stair's. "Clever-clev-- er; aren't you clever, Mister Bliss!' Cora's voice was shrill and triumph- ant. "But The Ringer's got you where he wants you." "You think so—" said Bliss, be- tween his teeth, and shoutdd for the officer on duty in the hall 'below. "There's a car waiting for him out- side," taunted Cora, "and a new dis- guise which he kept in the little room downstairs. And an aeroplane tem, miles out and he's not afraid to g-• up in the fog." "Pve got you, .m'y lady!" howled Bliss. "And where you are, he'll be. I•know The Ringer! Officer!" he said. A policeman came through the door. "I'm Inspector Bliss from the Yard. Don't Iet her out of your sight, or I'll have the -coat off your back." He ran out, stopping only to lock the door, Cora flew after him but he had taken the key and she turned try• • see the policeman opening the long' panel by the door. Then in a flash oil?' carne helmet and cape, and she was locked in the arms of • this strange man: "This • way, Cora," he said, ' and' pointed to the panel. La Via Amorosa_ He kissed her and lifted her through. • n the panel. Presently it closed upon them. No man saw The Ringer agairr that night or fo'r the many nights. ' which followed. THE END - The only dogma is that there is nes dogma. --1111r. Bernard' Shaw. And here's the old fight between. • Ireland and England being carried' on by a (Spaniard and a Wlelshenan« -Ottawa Journal. ' -Praising the town's ladies for._ham- ing the cemetery cleaned up, an ex change declares that the gravdyard. looks .most inviting. Barrielm- liter. - •