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- COMPLETE STORY. I

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COMPLETE STORY. I The Half-Open Door. By C. N. AND A. M. WILLIAMSON (Authors of The Princess Passes," etc ). As the market carts began to rumble into ov tf COvent GadeD, Jack Talbot turned np Welling- 3a a j ten-street from the Strand. He had been walk- ilag the Btreetn of London all night, since at eight o'clock the evening before he had gens of Knightsbridge Barracks u broken man. did not know where he had been his whole Consciousness was shadowed by the one crush- ,0R. horrible fact that be was for ever mined, that all was over for him on earth. He could HO now, pictured on the broken Bky of (be raw Jondon dawn, the icy face of his colonel, who Bid stung with cruel words that bit like a steel- 'tshed whip the incredulous lifting of tbo Eyebrows that followed his attempt to explain, to justify himself. If his colonel would not believe him. what chance was there with anyone ? Last nijjht in Piccadilly (it came to him 1'ke a forgotten dream) he had met two men he •Dew well, and they bad cut him dead. In bis Socket he carried a letter from the secretary of club, calling upon him forthwith to send in fcji resignation. The poison of a lying denuncia- tion had run through the veins of London 'ociety like the virus of a snake bite. A desperate man, crushed by a bludgeon blow fate, is like one hypnotised his mind is Djled with & single idea. Therefore Jack Talkot did not know tbas be bad walked far and faat through the great desert of London out to leafy Dulwich, and back again in a great cm ve through unknown sontbern suburbs of whose *ery existence be had barely heard, to Waterloo Bridge and the Strand. In Wellington-street, the crnsbing pressare on his brain relaxed a little, and he came to a consciousness of his sur- l'Ouridings. Flaring gas jots illuminated the flosrer market. He wandered la, inhaling with al} almost childish sense of pleasuro the scent of tha fresh blossoms. Many eyes followed his tall Jjgure as he passed in and out among the banks of flowers market porters winked aft-one another to indicate a 41 gent. out for the ^ight flower girls, bargaining for their day's IltOck, stopped to throw a. glanca of admiration at the swell," with his pale, set face, his per- fectly titling coat and gloves, his muddy boots, ,&od splashed trousers, a strange contrast in the 'mltless costume. Jack Talbot passed by unheeding. He walked OUt ]nto the street, and saw a public house Open, ablaze with lipht, the swing-doors open- IDK and shutting ceaselessly, like valves in an enRine. He had never in his life been insnch a Place. He went in almost without thinking, 4tld walked down a long passage. A man behind the bar pulled back a private bolt, and he entered a thronged room where a crowd of men *ore ealipg, drinking, smoking, and talking, He ordered coffee, and took a seat in a corner, Cloae to him two journalists were discussing threadbaie politics turee noisy young barristers 10 evening dress had come in for rum and hailk on their way home to the Temple from <i dabce; the rest were Jew frnit-brokers, a dn- teapectabte assemblage of night birds. Talbot •jpped bis coffee, looked on. and wondered at a fight so new to him. The heavy mill-stonos of his brain began anew to revolve, putting to him the same questions that he bad been unable to anawer during the endlnss night: 1& What will Jon do ? How can you stay in London and face It out ? Did you ever know a man to live down 4tich a charge ? Would it net be better to end it In the river ? What will yoa do ? What can Jon do ?" Stung almost to ma3nelll. be jumped up, and went out again into the streets. A clock strack *jine. Qe bad sat three taonris in the public 5°use, Aimlessly he wandered again about the market, then np to Oxford-street, then back ''ain to Covent Garden. These terrible questions "ere beating in his brain, and be bad no *hswer. Suddenly bis roving 6yes rested on a •'Rn-board that projected from above an office a°3r •' (Jriah lieseltine :—Privata inquiry *gent. Information obtained for divorce, etc. Secrecy guaranteed." He stopped. A maniac ^ggestion flashed in his mind, the outcome frenzy. Society had turned upon him, and •hrown him from his place he would retaliato ')11 society. Ho would be a private inquiry •Rent; he would make a living, and eara a blebe in the world by prying into the rotten- nesses of our aocisl life. He rolled the bitter 'Ingestion on his tongue, and in his diseased Condition, with all his wholesome blood turned to Rail, it seemed sweet to him. tie crossed the t01ad, and mounted a dark, creaking staIr, to an :aBice on the first floor. Mr Heseitine," he demanded of a clerk, who adjusting pieces of paper over his cuffs. 1<1 Have you an appointment ? No ? What h»tne V' Some intelligence that seemed for the moment have usurped the Beat of his own, seized J»Jbot's tongne, and promptly answered for him: Jrlr Terence Osmond." aext moment he was facing a ferret-eyed man, a head tbat bulged above bis ears like a ■hor. 'and the clerk was discreetly closing the Oor l>o yon want a spy ?" the words came rasp- tagly, as Talbot stood bis full six feet twp, JOoking down defiantly at the other, whose *erret eyes played over bim like summer light- ning. 1'he private detective jumped from his chair, "bd shook a dirty forefinger in tbe air. "My eJerk brought in your name, and said you. were gentleman, Mr Terence Osmond. If you have business with me, out with it.: but if Yon'r8 only a swell trying to take a rise, out of me after a night out, you've come to the wrong Ibop. l'm busy." I have business. 1 offer you my service as 'py, upon your staff. Surely you must have *h opening for a man like me—good manners, dressed, gentlemanly apifearance ?" Talboc IDoke in a tone of perfect commonplace, *?d the detective, perhaps for the first time in his sordid life, was completely puzzled. He opened bis mouth to speak, alapped bis lips to- gether again, took a qoicifc turn up and down the room, glanced out of the dingy windows to *he crowds in Wellington-street, then faced his Visitor. What's vour game ?" he demanded." Speak You're an officer, of course ;si>ut what in the name of thunder brings yoa here ? Are yon cashiered ? la it cards, women, or tacing ? Who're yonr references ?" Ob, references," said Talbot, with a depre- cating gesture. I had not thought of them— surely unnecessary in my case. Terence Osmond, my name lineage of the most ancient i4 Ireland." He changed his tone, and leanefl jtaross the leather-topped, ink-stained table, hxing the other's shifty eyes with his own blue that bum?d now with a glint of red, like a hall-dog's in tbe dark. I'm broke, rained desperate ready for anything even to take Jour ugly body and drop yon through the Window into the street." CuriahHelseltinefell back a barried step, and Plamped into bis chair. None of that, he Cried sharply. Sit down and talk sense." I have sai3 Talbot, grimly, as be took a c*ied sharply. Sit down and talk sense." I have sai3 Talbot, grimly, as be took a *hair. "Look here." broke out the inquiry agent, *fter a full minute's pause," there's a matter— piece of business—just put into my bands— What folly, Hon do I know that I can trust vou ? Yet you are the kind of man I "ant." You are a judge of character you must be thia business it's part of your stock-in- ttltde. Look me in the face. Criticise me. Take too feature by feature. Ask your own intelligence it,am a man to betray his employer." The inqnity agent smoothed with an uncer- tain band his pomatumea hair, and making Ritniet points of bis eyes, focussed them on Tal' hot's face. Then he paffed np his cheeks, and fitted a long, sibilant blast of air. Blow me, it I know what to make of yon," Jie said at length. Regard me," said Talbot, as a tool that j^fovidence has placed unexpectedly in your hands. I gather tbat you have some nnsualfy delicate matter of business which you are half rnclined to commission me to undertake some- thing too delicate for the clamsy fingers of the ordinary members of your staff ? Am I not tiaht 'I Tben trust me, and out with it." 10 Well, I will. • Mind you, I'm a cautioas man, <" I ahou!do't have built up the best business of this kind in London and this is the first time I've ever taken on a stranger. But there's some- thing about you, and your devil-may-care way, that tells me your the man for the job. and t m Koine to trust my instinct." "Excellent!" marmered Talbot." tieseltine looked down, and played with an ink-spotted paper-knife on his desk. Then he coughed, and suddenly raised his eyes. It a out of my usual line altogether," he said apolo- Retically that's why I'm the more willing to ^Qtruat it to a new man, not on my regular staff. *t's a—removal." A removal ? Isn't that an affair for Pick- lord?" Go on Yon know what I mean." There incredible cunning ia the eyes that looked into Talbot's. "Ah, I see! I didn't quite understand. !l'aJbot paused a moment. The desperate mood Of despair and revonge that had blacKened all his nature and led him into this strange ventnrc while his better part slept was on him still II.nd be wouldn't stay to think or reason. At least he might hear what this scoundrel bad to say. tie need not act unless he liked, Give me the Particulars," be said, quietly. Now. this is plain hard business," answered the detective, drumming bis Angara on the table to emphasis- Listen aud take it in. There's client of mine, for whom I've done a lot in different ways, who is troubled by a certain Person. It is a question of one thonsand aover- •Igns." "Paid in specie when the trouble's at an end ?" Precisely. My client, of conrie, must bavo Pioof with his own eyes." A reasonable stipulation. I don't ask what :1iarb you get; but 1 understand the thousand for me without decoction ?" 11 That's so." And 1 look to you for payment. In the Mature of the case there can't be a stamped "greament ?" Not much i" chuckled the detective. I 'han't pay be will. The business is too rielsy for me to appear in. I've dont) my part when *'ve brought you and him together." Well, give me the r-artic Talbot *"as experiencing a strange f«8f*o kf)n 'n t!"adly enterptise on which I: stumbled. After all, whispersd the woiiwaiart ot him, ^hich had him in its grasp, b<y should lie hesitate to torn assassin r At a word he would ulle his sword, if his country called, against any "nor Fuzzy Wuzzy, with whom be had not a trace of pencnal qnarrel why not wage private war as rothlesaly ? Tha inquiry agent leaned forward across his table, with lowered voice; I needn't go into reasons. There's a woman in it, you may be sure. The obnoxious person is an officer. He's broke, like you but that's not enough. He's still dangerous." I Well, well out with it all. I mast know everything before I can work." Talbot's voice was hURkv. ¡ He's broke right enough. That was managed very cleverly. My client put it about that he'd cheated at card;,and had him fairly on toast." The man's face fell into dry wrinkles, which was his nearest approach to a smile. I see," said Talbot, quietly. A conspiracy to rniu him?" Not exactly a conspiracy, for my client was the only one in it. It worked well quite wett enough to do forCaptain Talbot." "Talbot I Then that's the name of the— subject ?" Only a slight narrowing of the eyes, and a. hardemng of the lips betrayed the speaker's porsonat interest in what be had beard. "That's the name, John Tlllbot -12th Life Guards. The thing happened two days ago yesterday it was all over the town and he had to send in his papers to-day it's in the press. Where he'll go, what he'll do, we don't know that's for you to find ont. You see, if anything happens to him, there'll be no suspicion, all people will be sure to think that it was felo do Ie." » Naturally. That reduces the risk on my part. But where am I to begin ? What's his addres. ? How am I to know the man when £ see him ? Have you his portrait 7" All that is your business. I have no photo- graph. All I can suggest to give you a start is that you go up to Knightsbridge Barracks, where he had bis quarters, and start from there. Get his servant to describe him. You're certain to pick up a clue." "Thaokafor your hint. I think I see my way. I'll go now apd set to work at once. Later in the day, you'll see me again, to report progiess I shall nJt lose an instant." Taloot walked dazedly into the dingy Welling- ton-street, like a man who shakes off a terrify- fying nightmare. The horror of the last few hours still possessed bis mind, but in memory only not as a controlling emotion oftbe moment. The better part of him had leaped sndienly into activity, chasing away the baser, which had held him in chains, as a ghost vanishes before the sunlight. Thought he had not known it, he realised now that Providence had walked with him, hand in hand, all through the night, Justice, then, did live in the world after all Man was not merely the plaything of malicious devils I With the though, his eyes lost their glare, and softened into a mellow light. Hia lips moved in snch earnest thankfulness as he bad scarcely known since he was a. little boy. He went to Charing Cross Station, washed, made his toilet with clean linen, which he bought near by, and had the mud brushed from his boots and trousers. Then he sent off a tele- gram, and walked slowly to the Hotel Cecil for breakfast. He lingered long over the meal, looking out to the trees of the Embankment Gardens, and the wonderful view of the curving Thames. An hour bad scarcely passed before there came a quick, boyish step, and his hand was warmly clasping that of a young man. Jack Jack, old fellow I" It was all the boy could say at first, as he wrang the other's fingers. His eyes were suspiciously bright his breath choked a little in bis throat. I gave the cabbie half-a-sovereign to bring me here, and we just flew. I thought the bobbies would have stopped as-yet it seemed hours since I bad your wire." Talbot covered him with a look of affection. I knew at least I could depend on you, Charlie 1" I Rather I'Vf\ been through an ayrfal time these last two days, Jack. I'll never touch a card again that I've sworn. You've cured me and saved me. 1 trolly believe, from going utter- ly to the dogs. You've been my good angel 1 Ani only to think what you've got in return. That snake Porziano I'd like to have my fingers round his yellow throat I" Talbot did not speak for a moment or two he was looking out over the trees with a stern, Bet look in his clear-cut, determined profile, which contrasted with the irresolute month and uncertain chin of his companion. What does Lesley say ?" be asked at length, with a quiver of the voice. '• Lesley I" cried the youth, She's as true as steel. She never doubted yon for an instant, of course how could she ? She told me only three days ago how sad she was to see me so fond of play, leading an ignoble life mining myself with companions who only cared to bleed me and Jack—she said, that it wonld make our mother unhappy in Heaven." The young man gulped, and blew his nose. She talked like an angel to me and I gave her my promise that I'd never touch another card after that night but that I mast give their revecge to some fellows at the club. After the row, after that blackguard Porziano had got the others to watch yon, and denounced'you as a cheat, Lesley was waiting up for me when I got home at four in the morning. I could scarcely bear to tell her what bad happened and when at last I did, she tottered, Jack, as if I had struck her and then aha critii out the whole thing to me—how abe had put you up to cheat me with those Ameican tricks, jalSt to show how easy it was, and tbat Porziano was in the secret, too. We bad &n awful scene tthen she heard how the devil had turned against you, and when she realised what the consequences would be to you. In the midst of it all the Governor came down in bis dressing-gown and kicked np a row as finding me just come home. He saw Lesley crying, and had the whole story out of me Would you believe it, Jack—I'm ashamed to tell it of my own father, yet you must know-he said he believed you did cheat. tie said Porziano was an honourable man, and he'd take hia word before yours. You should have seen Lesley then. I didn't know she bad it in her. She faced the Governor like a young empress. It was splendid. But you know the Governor's not to be trifled with. TIe told her there and then that she was to consider her en- gagement to you at an end, that she wasn't to think of you, or write to you again, for even if yon were innocent, nobody'd believe it and yesterday he hurried her off to Kome, afraid Bbe'd try and atand np for you in public. She conldn t write, bat she begged me to tell you that she should never change, and would love you to the end." Tne two men were alone now m the long gal- lery of the hotel. Talbot rose and stood for a whila looking out over the river with his back to Cbarlia Seatoo. The boy respected bis emo- tion and presently Jack turned, and sat down again, with eyes that shone. I haidly like to say it, Jack," Charlie went on, but I believe the G3vernor owes money to Porziano. Yon know he's stinkingly rich, and the Governor's in several of his confounded companies. I belisvo bs's & swindler myself, and that one day he'll go bust for millions meanwhile, aa yoa know, be's one of the rulers of the City. Of course, the Governor's title is much to him on the boards of his companies— these fellows always run after a viscount; but anyone can see thst he's after Lesley, too. Oh, you needn't fear, Jack, she loathes the yellow brnte." I know, I know, Charlie. The thing is quite clear to me. I mistook Porziano for a gentleman, though I never liked him; and knowing that be was intimate at your bouse, I told him of the scheme arranged between Lesley and me to open your eyes to the simple ways in which you might be robbed. He promised to aland by me, the devil. You saw what be did. Well, it wasn't to talk of tbis that I asked /you to come and see me. I've something else to say, something to tell you, in which I shall have to rely on your ne!p." Captain Talbot spoke in a low, impressive voice, and as he went on, Charlie Seaton's fuca expressed at first surprise, then unbounded pleasure. Do you quite understand ? At eleven o'clock I shall expect you without fail. This is the address. You know your part ?*' Seaton nodded. It's grand, Jack simply grand. Yoa may coant on me positively, and with a warm shake of the hand the youth was gone. Talbot paid his bill, and went out of the hotel by the Embankment entrance, walking to the Temple. There be entered an old- fashioned suite of offices, and was shut up for half an hour with Stephen Armytage, a very old school friend as well as bis solicitor. When he left, he strolled along the Strand, and into Dane's Inn, where he paid a brief visit to the porter's lodge, afterwards visiting a shop in Covent-garden, noted for theatrical costumes and make-np boxes. It was now nearly one but having breakfasted so late, he bad no need of luncheon. He turned into the National Gallery, spent a long time io examining me pictures, and towards five o'clock appeared again at the office of the inquiry agent in Wet- lington-atreet. He was at once admitted to the inner room. Well ?" queried Heseitine sharply, screwing np his eyes. 1 have jaat looked in to Bay that the" whole thing is arxangad," said Talbot, quietly. Arranged ? What the deuce do you insan ? I mean that the commission with which you entrusted me will be carried out to-night. Attend to what I sa^. Yonr client uauat call at midnight at this address. You see it is close by. The rooma are on the Bseopd floor. lie need not knock or ring. The outer door will be left open, the gas barnmg. He has only to walk straight throngh she pasage into the large front room, and there be will find what he wants. He can aatisfy himself with touch and aight. He must bring the thousand in gold. I shall be there to receive him The detective tilted his chair till it balanced on its back legs, and whistled low and long. His shrewd eyes had not left TaIba". face since he came into the room. Well, Mr Terence Osmonde (if that's your real name) I don't mind saying that you're the coolest hand I ever came across in this busi- ness." I take a pride," said Talbot,bowing slightly, in executing with punctuality and despatch any commission entrusted to-ins." How am I to know that it's not a plant, and that you aren't playing some game at my 81penae lan't it a little late to doubt me, whan you've told me so much ? Yoar scruples might have been in place this morning; they are ridiculous now that you have taken me no deeply into your confidence." "I doubt if my client will consent to the conditions. To go to rooms in Douala Inn 1Çltl1 a thousand pounds in his rocket. flow s he to know that be won't be knocked on the head, and robbed ?" I piesuaie he has confidence in you there- fore he will do as you tell him. He must go somewhere to be satisfied; he can't expect his enemy's body to be brought to this oilice in a cab, can ho ? You entrusted me with the task I am prepared to carry it out under the con- ditions I have named, which ait the best I conld arrange. It mnat be clear to you that it j is I who am taking by far the greatest riBk vour client must take. some. Am I to under- stand that yon want to go buck on the bargain?" N-o-o," replied the detective, doubtfully. No, I don't. But 1 can t think There's no need to think act. Go Imme- diatclv to your client, and tell him what he has to etc. shall expect bim without fail at mid- night." Well, I suppose I may Bay that he'll be there And with that assurance Talbot hurried i oat. The air of the inquiry agent s sordid omee seemed to him heavy with guilt even thesmoke- JadeD atmosphere of the Strand was pure by comparison. ..»••• It was nearly midnight in Dane's Inn. From the Strand rose a confused rumble of traffic in the Inn itself an occasional footfall resounded on the flag-stones. fouddenly the clock of the Law Courts boomed twelve, and with the dying vibrations of the laet stroke came a footstep, down in the allent well of the stone staircase. It mounted slowly, without hesitation. A watcher, peering from the crack of a door on the first landing, would have oeeo a tall, spare man, scrupulously, even elaborately dreBBed, a dark portfolio under his left arm, the right hand buried in the pocket of his overcoat. He was of an olive-tinted complexion, with tufted eyebrows, black eyes that glittered from yellow balls, and a busby imperial care- fully trained nnaer the red lower lip. A lithe, quick, foreign-looking man, whose long head, like a hawk's, was ridgect with a rapacious nose the whole face and figure denoting eagerness, promptitude; a feline alacrity and untinst- worthiness. He advanced now like a man scouting in an enemy's country every nerve alert, each mascle on the stretch. Without a pause, he passed up the steps, lightly, springing, until he reached the closed door on the second landing. For an instant be stood, with nostrils that contracted and dilated, like those of a horse after a race. Then, still clasping the portfolio to his side, by tbe pressure of tbe muscles of tba arm, he used the left band to turn the handle of the door, and push it from him. As it swang open he took a swift step backwards, as though he feared an ambush. The right hand had not left the pocket of his overcoat. Within the small square ball that was dis- closed by the opening of the outer door, there burned a lowered gas-jet, and to right and left were the half shut doors of dark rooms. In front a subdued light shone from a door that stood ajar. For a long minute the olive com- plexioned man stood rigid and still, the head slightly on one side in the act of listening, the eyes incessantly moving from the Jighted door. way to the dark ones. Not a whisper; not the creaking onboard, or the flicker of a gas-jet came to his eaz3. There was an intense ominous, stillness. With foar noiseless strides he moved suddenly forward, crossed the hall, and stood in the lighted doorway. One swift look over the right shoulder, another over the left, showed him tbat nothing had moved in the dark rooma on either side of him. Next instant he pushed open the door, and stared into the lighted room. It wps in a state of wild confusion. The table was overturneJ, the cloth dragged across the floor, which was encumbered with a dis- ordered litter of playing-cards. Not a single chair stood in its place. Some were upside dowa, two had broken legs. From a sideboard in a recess, plaates and glasBeB had been swept to the floor, where they lay in fragments the flowers in au overturnei vase filled the air with an odonr sickly sweet. All this the stranger's eyes took in at a comprehensive. sweeping glance; then they darted back, and focussed themselves on the sofa and an object that it bore. There lay his enemy, the man whose death he desired beyond anything on earth, save one other thing which he believed that this man's death would bring him. The young Guards- man was on his back. one leg supported by the eofa, the other trailing limply on the floor. Iiis coat was off, and on the white surface of his shirt there was a crimson gash above the heart, whence a ruddy stream had flowed down to the carpet. His hands were clenched, his white face turned upwards to the ceiling. On the floor near by lay a revolver. The stranger's eyes dilated a cruel smile carved the red lips, lifting the tuft of imperial. With the same quick, noiseless step, be crossed the room, and stood looking down on the body of his enemy-the man who had dared to love the girl on whom bel Gabriel Porziano had net his heart. Ab. my friend," he murmured, Mise Laizlai would not care to look upon you now. You are not pretty witfi your teeth clenched like that, that disagreeable greenish complexion, and that ugly hole in your cbeet." He stooped a little, and dipped a yellow forefinger in the 'blood that had flowed from the wound. Yes your blood is very red. Yon lived strongly, Captain Talbot but yon have not escaped me Money can do most things even bring a man like you to this! He wiped his finger on the table cloth, and let his glance hover roond the room, There bas been a straggle— about cards. My unknown agent has been clever, but ha is wise to keep out of the way. No doubt he will come back when I am gone. It is better that we should not look into each other's faces. I will leave him his reward." He opened tbe portfolio, and shook its contents in a jingling, glittering pile on to the floor. Goodbye, John Talbot 1 Ab I I will make quite sore of yon before I go I" The right hand that bad bsen hidden in the overcoat pocket was suddenly withdrawn it whirled upwards, holding a flashing blade; but before it could descend the corpse of John Talbot leaped into strencous life. It bounded from the sofa, gripped the dagger-wrist of his opponent with a terrible grasp, twisted the knife from bis hand, and sent him staggering backwards across the room. At the same instant a screen was flung noisily to the floor, disclosing tbo excited face of Charlie Seaton and the tall figure of a grave, bearded man stood in the doorway. Porziano's lips drew back like a wolf's, dis- closing long, yellow, teech. His thin, moist hands clenched and unclenched themselves spasmodically. With a sudden sound, like the breaking of a fiddle-string. He spat towards Talbot. So. I am trapDed f" he snarled. "Completely," was Talbot's quiet, answer. Mr Seaton you know; this is Mr Armytage, my solicitor. He has drafted a document for you to sign, which be will witness. It is a confession on your part that yan falsely and maliciously, for purposes of your own, and knowing it to be a lie, spread the atorythat I bad cheated at cards wheieaa you knew quite well that I was simply playing tricks on Mr Seaton to show him bow easily aharpu could cheat him. You unreservedly withdraw this chatge, declare it to be baseless, and hambly apologise for having made it." "I refage to sign aoything of the kind," snapped Porziano. H Then I shall immediately telephone to Scotland Yard, telling the police that yoa and your agent have conspired to murder me, and ask them to send here at once to arrest you." Porziano passed a trembling hand across his forehead. "Either way I'm r.ained I" be cried. Exactly And a jolly good thing too 1" put in Charlie Seaton, but Talbot checked him with a gesture. Armytage handed him an open paper. He took it, but did not look at it "I don't understand," he said thickly. "Has Heseitine given me away ?" Heseitine has nothing to do with this. You can best i-ay whether he'll stand by you or whether he'll turn Queen's evidence when I have you arrested." Porziano rubbed his eyes and read the papsr. But if S sign this, it's tbe end for me," he Eaid. Talbot 3hrugged his shoulders. Nemesis baSi overtaken you," he answered. You either aign at once or go to Portland. Sign, and pick np your goid and go then yoa have nothing to fear from me." Armytage turned the table right aide up, and banded him a pen. Porzanio took it, and dashed his signature upon the document. Then in silence he stooped,picked up all the sovereigns and put them back in his portfolio. He staggered when he had finished, as if be were giddy, and fell back towards the sideboard. In an instant, be seized a heavy glass carafe and sent it crashing at Talbot's bead. Charlie Seaton shouted Talbot ducked the carafe flew over him, and smashed into little pieces a large mirror over the fireplace. There was a great noise of jangling glass. J You cowardly brute I" ejaculated Talbot, his knuckles white with the tight clenching of I his fists, "Give it him hot, Jack." called Charlie Seaton. No, no I should disgrace myself to tonch him," said Talbot. Out yon scoundrel I He pointed to the door which Armytage had set open, and Porziapo can like a hare. They beard him leap down the stairs, and patter with speed down the echoing Inn. Thus London saw the last of the adventurer, whose hollow schemes came crashing to tbe ground, involving thousands in their rain. Society opened its arms again to Jack Talhot; fiis regiment gate him a welcoming dinner"; and Armytage wtis beat ma.n at the marriage witb Lesley Seaton, which took place a month later. If Uriah Heseitine carries on business in Lton- don, it is under unother name, and in another quarter, for his office. in WellingtorratrMt was suddenly closed.

CYCLIST UNDER COW-CATCHER

[No title]

Welsh Woman Tramp. .---

-----MINIATURE QIFLE CLUBS.

'J.'.(. " WHAT A DETECTIVE…

SOUTH WALES PRINTING WORKS

^ _._\— ABERAVON COUNCIL AND…

FIGHTING-AND A CRASH.

- ! Temperance Unity. 1 ~-"I

LABOURERS' UNION OFFICIALS.

——] TRAMP QUESTION AT NEWPORT…

'-------FAINTING IN THE WATER.…

BOOTS THROUGH WINDOWS.

POLES AS " BLACKLEGS."

Conciliation Board. ......

WELSH PARLIAMENTARY 1PARTY

. BURGLARTN^THE LARDER.I

,11 1.-1 HAND BLOWN OFF.

Big Emigration Scheme. I.,.I...,.';;':"

CARDIFF MAYOR'S SALARY.

TITTLE-TATTLE AND ASSAU LT.…