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Show THE.OGDEN a . had relatives who have died at the hands of assassins. I do not think that that will' ever be my fate. Drink with me to my safety, Israel (Continued from Preceding Page.) - . asked.' ; r ri v ; ( the terms of trust," Langrode an swered. 'Lift your right hand to ward heaven, David of Sacss. an J swear before God that, without the written permission of Metzger or myself, you. will cot cross the fronof nalkanland and lha matter is ended. I ask only for your word of honoiv Give It and you go from here unharmed." David smfted a stern, strong room were thrown open and Lang-rode stood upon the threshold. A rode has been Himself to the capital. He returned last night." . "And where Is he now?". David "In this housed was the ' tremV . bling reply. Even as the words left Blacle-xnanHps they heard vthe footfalls ' descending the stairs-narr- ow, man of a stairs they were which creaked and wheezed under the heavy tread David stiffened with the apprehension of coming, ' footsteps, however, danger. The ' passed' on down the passage and ' entered the front room. , '.That .is Langrode?" - David asked. .' "It Is Langrode," Israel Black-ma- n answered. "I have .known Paul Langrode for many years. He is a suitor for Virginia's hand. Hear the worst, sir. He came to me, offered me money and a position of importance at home if I would help. You were, to be asked and they here to supper 's Ill-ma- de -- their attempt then , bu,t for that fact. They hope probably that I will remain here until dusk, when the thing will be easier." Once again Israel Blackmail's face was blanched with fear. He laid 'down. the', knife and fork which he was pre'tending to use. , " - "Listen!" he muttered. "That is the front-doorThey are coming Into the house;1 those others!" ' Both men leaned a little forward in their places. There was for a moment or two complete silence in the little room, a silence curiously like the pause before the breaking of a' thunderstorm, when beasts and birds and even human beings cower in their shelters. From outside came the dull, monotonous sound of promenading footsteps upon the asphalt pavement, the shrill laughter of girls, the clang of a bicycle bell, the throb of a motor . , to-nig-ht would make their, own plans. Virginia wofmed the truth out of me and I saw 'the horror of it. I am ashamed. Tell me what to do and I will do it. Shall I steal from the house and fetch the police?' f e "I think notVthe young man decided coolly. "For one thing, they would certainly not allow you to pass. I would suggest that we have supper,, unless you think we ought !to wait for" Miss Martin." Blackman." ;They clinked "glasses together and drank, t Even Israel Blackman was gaining courage .as he watched his" guest proceed with , his meal ' with excellent appetite. : "I saw the three .men es I entered," the latter observed. "They were .hanging about the gate. Exactly opposite was a policeman.. Perhaps they might have made j ', wagonette engine. Jy full of ex- - SUNDAY MORNING. DECEMBER 4, 1921. R s v ; .... STANDARD-EXAMINE- CHAPTER XIII. T was Virginia whose voice first I. f ,,t rmpnt : stupefied silence. "What is the. meaning of this!" Who are she cried out fiercely. these men and what do they want?" "They seem to want me," David replied, with his . eyes fixed upon Langrode, "but the end is not yet." "Who, are you?" Virginia de manded. "What have you done that they should do your enemy?" "Nothing." he protested firmly. "The men outside are hired assassins. As for Langrode, here your stepfather can tell you his record." She turned upon Blackman with blazing eyes. "You have let David walk into a she cried. "You are in trp?" with these men?" league "Indeed I am not," Israel Black-mapleaded. "For a moment I listened to Paul Langrode hero because he' offered me a safe asylum In my own country, but It was only for a' moment. I told him the truth," pointing to David; "I warned him. Ha will tell you so himself." "I have nothing against Israel "He David said. Blackman." warned me of what was to come. Now, Langrode," he went on, "speak If you have anything to say, or 13 It just your will to butcher if you can?" Langrode spoke for the first time. w master. David made no effort to meet his rush. He simply steppe with a swift, sldeway movement on one fide, leaving his left foot in its place. His adversary tripped and reeled unsteadily on one 'side, received tho full weight of David's nst on his cheek and went over with a crash across the table. From outside came now the thumping of fits against the panels of the door - . n i ..' V.v .,.. re-pile- r 5 - The eyes of the two men met and thi conductor's sympathies vcrn established. "Jnat a bit of a scrap." David confided: "only tho odds were too many against me." Before the car had gone Sfty yards the garden gate of No. 17 wa thrown open and the two men whom David had momentarily came running steadily along out-wittc- .. : ; . ' " ".v . - - . ' ... !r .... v.r - '. x ' , " , y ' ' , . - I ) r X ; - . " , . I : , ; ' - . . '- - .'.':J', ,.'' miiHi . . . . - a .. ; - - ,'' .; i v ' -. x - - ..('- t . f V- ."' j v " 'V table. self. - : ' L ." ' David drew it towards cursionists from Epping rolled by, singing in a lively chorus. Every word was audible "Only one girl in the world for me world for me . . . . and you are. she." It. seemed ridiculous to Imagine that with such a background as this. In this tiny" parlor of a Tottenham villa, the drama of life or death was to be' played out, yet David knew, and thrilled with the knowledge, that the murderers were stealing nearer to him;. that he was like a man in a trap, pledged to a fight - against odds. . . ,x Suddenly they heard Virginia's voice, passionate and imperious "What are youmed doing In this house? 'Answer me at once or I shall fetch the police." ; There. was no answer, only the fclamming of the front door. Then him- - "If you will allow - me, I will carve, he ' continued. "Your fingers seem to be a little shaky. So! Now, Israel ; Blackman," he went on, "pass the wine and remember this: ' If they are listening outside and hear us taking supper they will probably wait. .They will not believe that you have ' put me on my guard. Let us proceed as though nothing had happened, , - - v ; " ; while we reflect," "You are a brave man, sir," Blackman muttered, as he passed the bottle of red wine.. "I am a man who intends to live, David answered1 coolly. "I have ' ' . ' - , 1 1 came a cry from Virginia, at. which David sprang to his feet. The door, of the parlor was thrown open and she entered, the top part of ber 'dress torn In that momentary Almost at the same moment the folding doors of the front struggle. .. . . . x ' ' i - ... '' ' 1 ' " - ... : V " " - . . ' ' ' t ... M I : i :' I - - , ' f W - h . They were unfiur-xle- It was obvious that he was uneasy. Things were scarcely turning out as he had Intended. "Blackman," he said harshly, "can't you get Virginia out of tho way? This is a man's matter." "A man's matter!" Virginia re"A man's peated, passionately. matter, when there are four of you against one! You have a pretty Count me on yame for the weaker side. Now, what I3 it? Murder or robbery, or both?" ... ' Langrode came a little further into the room. "Robbery it certainly la not," he said. "Murder it may. he; but murder can be prevented." "Let there be no bloodshed." Israel Blackman begged, wringing hl3 hands; "let there be no bloodshed. I pray!" ' "What are your terms?"-- , David asked. "They are simple, and they are . -- , it,-Indee- , - " Intematkmal'Fcature Service. d. cool but purposeful, amply tiling the role of peaceful pedes" trians in a hurry. They were neither of them men of any parJ ticular physlQue. but each kept one vhand la his overcoat pocket and each had that loor, of deggt-on his face which goes .with desperation. The progress of Then There Came a Shriek the car was by no means speedy, from Virginia and Turmoil. and as it was approaching a stop"f ping place at which several people Many Things Happened were waiting, it was a place of Almost Simultaneously. refuge obviously inadequate. Leav"It is true." David ing hlseat. therefore, David passed answered. "Why not? like a. baby. Nelther out to the front. Jumped from the If I am of the royal, sobbing nor tho man who had enIangrode I am nono the tous?, platform before the driver had comtered by the back door seemed' menced his' less a patriot You and, capable for the moment of any running' swiftlyexpostulations, will not purchase a side its for by further movement. Tho door of moment Cj two. for thi freedom to on the sprang the room, however, seemed on the people with my blood. Langrode. of a passing tailcab which was step leather will you start a fUd point of yielding to the assault going tn tho same direction. The from outside. which will tear the country into Virginia pointed chauffeur sUred for a moment and pieces. All that I desire is the wel- x through the folding doors to the leaned for his brake. fare of our country." open window of the room beyond. "What's the' gamer he de"Hlft your hand and give that "ThrouRh there!" she called manded angrily. promise," Laagrodo commanded. softly to Ddvld. "They're both outside here. If you get Into tho "Never!" was the fierce reply. If! quite all right." David asThen there came a shriek from street you!! b safe" sured him soothingly. "Friend ct He hesitated. turmoil. Virginia and Many mine inside I'm anxious to have a things happened almost simul"They may harm you." he mutchat with. Let her out a little, will tered. taneously. David, warned by the you? Double fare to wherever you are going." girl's cry, sprang to ono side Just 1 Virginia's eyes flashed fins upon in time to escape the downward Im. Somothlag of the savage "Youll break your neck some stab of a knlfo gripped in tho hand fcemcd awakened in her the savday at that game," the man of a man who had crawled ia at tho agery of the woman who protects back window and glided slowly to tho thing she loves. grumbled, mesmcrited into achis feet. Tho assassin, of? his balone shall hurt me If you go," "No quiescence, however, by the magic ance by reason of David's sudden she promised. "If you Hon't" words. "We're' going to St. JiffiM movement, slipped, and as he stagDavid nodded and turned away, street. Be careful how you open gered was stTuck full on the side vaulted lightly through the wide-ope- n the door. .It's a bit sU2 on your of the head by the chair which Vir window and ran down the side. Are you sure tho bloke Inside flagged path put Into tho street glnla had seized. He fell, moaning. 'nts you?" In a corner. Langrode stepped forAlmost as he reached the gate a The young man w)o wa the soliward bravely enough to meet his train was passlifg. He sprang in occupant o' the vehicle threw . V 1021, . . .... y' ' - ,r ' : ' f - : " V . :.- ' f ; r ' v'v X ;, ..' ; ' y i - : f',; j . 4 " d ; v. ' . j . ' - ' 7 T4,x' r : - : . t ' . " t , ' H y- -' :';',!'':'' Israel Blackman's t; Es dilated. He stared at his companion in amazement. - 'Supper?" he faltered. "But they are planning to kill you, these men!" "They may make their plana," David said with a smile, "but I am not so easy to kill. And in any case," he went on, taking his accustomed seat, "why not sup first? Even a condemned man is offered a meal before he mounts the scaffold. Everything, I see, is cold. Let me take the liberty of helping ; . myself" Blackman relapsed into his chair at the head of the table. There ,was a small Joint of beef upon the r , the ravement v" V. -- ' . " ' l - i , i, ' - " . !' y tJ - " '" ' , 1 ' ' Srm' - .!:!' irrpr-lurbabillt- - l - d ' ' i - tpec-ehlef- c-fire . - ' ' r . d, suipiclou&ly. David smiled. ' . open the door and asslitcd David to rnicr. "lYralt me." he said, c'oiing i: araln and folding up the Sunday paper which be tad ben rradlr.g. to oJTer you to the fu'lett extent the hospitality of my ei" taxlcab David, a he leaned back ia & comer and recovered his breath, s stared in frank and rurprise at the person who hsd taken his unuual arrival so coolly. At first sight be seemed to be a very you&s rr.sn indeed-- Afterward David w cot so fure He had rather bushy fair hair, a punburnt complexion, very white leeth. and ?v curiously aHractlve smile. It a perfectly obvious that his was a natural gift an he . - ine raked. "Nothing to srak of." David dinting his coat sleeve, "You come out of that houso In a hurry, didn't you?" he queried which Virginia bad locked. David, pausing for a moment to take breath, was amazed at the girl's appearance. She stood for a moment watching the two stricken men. a knife grasped In her hand, o though ready to spring at either. Blackman had ub!drd Into a chair, his head buried la hit hands. smile. "Who are you to dare to place such an injunction before me?" he "Who are you who demanded- care to syggest that I shall not revisit my country, when and how I choose?" "You know mo," Langrode answered. "I am a simple lawyer of Balkanland politician If you, will but yet a patriot. I say that tho days of rulers of your class art over. Tho people are learning ti govern themselves, and they shall govern themselves. Your answer?" "Briefly given," David rtpll.cd. hi muscles tense, his eyes watchln? his adversary. "I refuse. Am now?" "Who is this man?" Virginia "Tell cried, pointing to David. me. stepfather. Tell me yourself. David." "I will tell you." Langrode answered. "Ho la Prince David of yuess. Archduke of Streplitz, heir to the throne of Balkanland. if ever the people were mad enough V" another king." "Is this true?" Virginia demanded v and took a seat in a corner. conductor stared at him. "Anything wrong, mate?" - tary Crrnt F-it-- Jn IMchU rtcervrd. per-ceveran- ce was not la the least affected for t. occasion. He eeemeJ. Indeed, to regard David's advent with an air of pleased and expectant interest "You are very kind," David murmured. "The fact Is. I got into a little trouble at a house down .ha road there, and as the odds werj against me I thought it better to cr hurry away." "Quite right," the young man agreed, "especially from that sort of trouble." "You saw me come out?" "1 did. I could see that you wer In a hurry. I alo noticed the cause. I tympathlted with you. Two more villainous fellows I never saw in my life. Now to speak of the anarchistic Delllab-lookln- g beauty with the soulful eyes who seemed to he giving you her benediction from the front Miss Martin, Virginia steps. - wasn't it?" How do yoa barP3 to know i. cr came?" David asked dutloutly. "Circumstances one brought ma into contact with ber." was the somewhat enigmatic rey. "AUo with ber steyfather. or presumed stepfather, Israel Blackman, Very charming young lady, absolutely out of place In her present environment. Stepfather a weak kneed, Erstwhile doddering old man. traveller to a Cm of boot manufacturers, out of employment since yesterday." "You seem remarkably well informed concerning ihe family." "Wfcai is ycur David observed. came, rr.ay I ask?" Grunby." was "Grunby eytiney the prompt re.-ly- (To Be Continwtd.) 1 |