is was. The rain was bucketing down and a chill north-wester howled

c Hall was reached, satisfied Stafford King. He drew further into the shadow at sight of the figure w

aultless dress-jacket, had no doubt in his mind as to which was the most desira

he said. "Miss White ha

he's only just left the stage a few minu

hook hi

of good looks might not be to everybody's taste. The olive complexion, the black eyes, the well-curled moustache and the effeminate c

e doorkeeper. "Shall I send someb

" said the other, "sh

ped dead at the sight of him and a look of annoyance came to her face. She

d his hat w

ont, Miss White. An e

said simply. "I

nod

It almost seemed to infer that she was not speaking th

e comfortabl

he replied

o end the interview, and at

ng?" he asked. "Just say the word, if they give you trouble or cheek, and

ost polite and nice." She held out her hand. "I am a

arrassment in his manner. "Maybe you'll come along one night after the show and

aid Maisie White, a note of irony in her voice, "but unfortun

d again held

y good n

w, Maisie--

she said and b

ittle frown gathering on his forehead, then with a shrug of h

to get my car

r reappeared with the information that the car was at the end of the passage. He pu

from hour to hour. How dare she treat him like this? She, who owed her engagement to his influence, and whose fortune and f

, but it was true. He had never felt that way to a woman before, but there w

ght and saw that the hour was a little after eleven. The last thing in the world he wanted was to take part in

corridor were illuminated by one small electric lamp sufficient to light him to the heavy walnut doors which led to the office of

up startled as the other entered and nodded. It was Olaf Hanson, the colonel's clerk--and Olaf, with his flat ex

n, is the col

an no

iting for y

mpathetic, and his thin lip

asked Pinto in surprise,

ed Hanson sh

flat," he said, "to get some pape

t and Pinto eyed him narrowly. He had, however, the good sense to ask no further qu

g table and the chairs at its side

the principals were there--"Swell" Crewe, Jackson, Cresswell, and at the farther end of the

White?"

t immediately reply. Presently he took off

hite isn't here. No, White isn't

g?" asked Pi

d his chin and looke

illsbury business," he s

t?" ask

kind of business that White would like to be in. I guess he's ge

e to Maisie White and he was on the point of remark

hing about--about h

lonel

nless you'v

"I'm getting tired of that girl's airs and gr

rom the end of the table and he turned roun

you mean?

at her to-day," she said, a

lse if I remember rightly," he said quietl

m," she said, "and

do you

ighted to drop the bombshell: "you can't shadow Staff

uttered an

u mean?" he

u know that Stafford King goes down to Horsham t

the most daring member of the gang, who had organised more coups than any other man, save its leader. The news that t

ing his dry lips. "That's why Solomon White's

Silva, whose face

into," he said coarsely. "We left the wa

e man shortly. "I

iendly. But he had only eyes for the girl on the stage, and I might as well have been the paper on the wall for all the notice he took of me. After her turn, he went out and w

Maisie doing?" asked

ooks dandy in a man's kit! She's the best male im

interrupted the colonel

arly to the theatre, that he takes her to di

ne!" rapped the colonel, "he's goi

t belie

rewe, whose boast it was that he h

oncerned, Solly is straight. I'm not denying the possibility that he wants to break away, but that's only natur

'double-cross'?" he demanded almost jovially. "We have a straightforward business!

ble, and they knew from experience that this was th

. Ask Hanson to come in--he's got the figures. It is the la

he ante-room and called the se

gone

brows. "Who told him to go out? Never mind

ced it on the table, opened it with a key attached t

bury business to-night," he said.

he?" ask

on the legality of the transfers. But I've had the best legal opinion in London and there is no doubt that our position is safe. The

hem?" said th

xcept one when the transfer was completed. And the ques

dle before him an en

by the threat of publishing a slushy letter to a girl. I guess his trustees are not going to be very much influenc

whom?" a

e," said the

lic

lonel

e applying for a search warrant. But I'm not scared of the police so much." His voice slowed and he spoke with grea

ck--ha!

eapt to his feet, his hand dropping to his hip-pocket. The door had opened and

in the half-light of the electrolier. The hands were gloved, the head covere

he air. There was something peculiarly businesslike in the long-barrelled revolver which t

ky! Yours too, Lollie. Stand away from the table, everybody, and back to the wall.

essly at the two unwinking eyes which sho

I'm going to make you laugh and you'll want some suppo

ke its nimble fingers were turning over the piles of docum

a comical tale about

," said the co

hey got the fools and the vicious in their power and made them sell things for hundreds of pounds that were worth thousands. And they were such a wonderful crowd! They were

ing forward, but the gun swun

who would sell h

ld," half-scre

llie darling--de

n seeking was found. He slipped it beneath the bl

r the police, Dan! Get Stafford King, the

asteboard planing across the room. In an instant the do

sob, Lollie Marsh collapsed in a heap on the floor. Colo

one of you who gets that fellow," he said,