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THE FOUR JUST MEN,

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THE FOUR JUST MEN, I" ,v, BY EDGAR WALLACE, Antbor of "Writ in Barracks." "Unofficial pat':h!!s." rnithy," etc.. et. CHARACTERS IN THE STORY.. MANUEL CARCIA. the Carliet leader. a I YokWee in England, who will be "as good M d<?d" if a Bi:l iiwt introdnc«t by a member of the EagI?Mt Government passes into taw. LEOX GOX?ALFZ. PO:CC-\RT. and CE(I;? M AN FRED, three of the Fonr Just Man. en?a??d in ? conspiracy to kill th? Rn?tish Minister. THERY. or GAIMONT. a well-known i criminal. for-eri by threats to Ix'-cc^ie the j foT»rt<h Just Man. and the inetr,'menT by which the coaisrpirators hope v> effect the aasa&ai nation. SIR PHILIP RAMON, the English Foreign Secretary, responsible for th. introduction .-)f the Aliens Extradition 'Political Offences) Bin. who rerenthreatening letters? signed by the Four Just fen." The EDITOR of the Daily Megaphone," I whose enterprise does more than anything else to ccrmteract the designs of the "Four -itist Men." and who in consequence is the object of their unwelcome STPfRryrEXDRyT FALMOFTH. of ?<-o.t?nd ?ar?i. jn <'har-? cf th? police a,rron?e- f mg to ensure the ,,ty '?f ?r Philip j Ba-raon. enoure t?he ,?ak-ty ;ir Piii?'l' i) SYNOPSIS. I P,Rof,<N-; v- E.- [,.eon Gorsalez. Poiecart. George j Manfred, and Thery. in ttie Cafe of the Nations. Cadiz. discuss the measures to be taken to ensure the safety of Manuel Garcia. a.nd decide that the British Minister k to be killed. CHAPTER 1.—The "Daily Megaphone" con- tains an account ot a £ 50 reward offered by the English Foreign Secretary :S:r Philip ■Ramon, for information as to the authors 1 of a letter received by him and signed by the "Fou- Jast Men." in which he is threatened with murder if be does not with- draw the Aliens Extradition (Political Offences, Bili. The Four Just, Men con- shier that justice as meted out here or earth is inadequate, and have set them selves about correcting the law. They have t ??ready committed aixteen murders. a.nd 'ha" so far defeated all efforts to identify ) them. CHAPTER II.—A letter from the Four Just Men," appealing to the members to u-?e I their influence to force the withdrawal of the B!)I. in order to save the life of *?he Foreign Secretary, is mysteriously intro- duced into the lobby of the Hou-e of Com- ) mons. In the same room. underneath a table, is also discovered a fuseless infernal mMbim. hich has been put there by the J?? Four "as an earnest that our threat is no idle one." CHAPTER in.—The outrage in the Ho?e of Commons caures conetern?tion in England, and a. reward of £ 1,000 is offered. I pHAPTFR IV.—The Four Just Men, as four l Englishmen, purchase a London zinoo- engraver's business, ;vnd form a limited liability company, under cover of which they carry on experiments in explosives. The fotrrtb Just Man. Thery. wishes to be free, but is silenced by a threat to kill him. The "Daily Megaphone" prints in Preach. Italian, German. and Spanish copies of +.he Li.ono reward. CHAPTER V.—On entering his room after I dinner the editor of the "Daily Megaphone" is met by a blinding flash, and afterwards discovers a letter from the "Four Just Men." saying the explosion had been arranged to show their inflexible intention wdestroy Sir Philip Ramon in the event of the Bill being proceeded with, and urging the paper to call upon the Govern- ment to withdraw the measure. Thery. tempted by the £1.000 reward and the offer of a free pardon, proceeds to the Daily Megaphone" office, b is followed by the other three, one of whom. under threats to kin Thery, and the editor if he interferes, gets the former away. CHAPTER VI.—Scotland Yard offers a reward of £ 1,000 for r he apprehension of Thery. In the top room of the workshop Poiccart, I Gorjjal-ez. Manfred, ami Thery discuss the strangeness of the means" to be employed to encompass Sir Philip Ramon's death, despite the elaborate precautions taken by the police authorities* to ensure his safety. CHAPTER VII. THE MESSENGER OF THE FOUR. There was yet another missive to be handed to the doomed Minister. In the last he had received there had occurred the sentence: One more warning you shall receive, ajid so that we may be assured it shall not go astray, our next and last message shall be delivered into your hands by one of us in per.-on This passage afforded the police more com- fort than had" e¡t}y, episcde since the begin- i ning of the scare. They placed a curionsi faith in the honesty of the four men; they "recognised that t-hese were not ordinary crimiria!s ay,,l that their piffige was invio- lable. Indeed, had they thought otherwise the elaborate precautions that they were taking to Pj]f'l,3 'he. safety of 6iY'Pbilip would not have been made. The honesty of the f-mr was their !11;},"T terrible cÍ1aracteri",t:e In this instance it served to raise a faint hopf:' that the men who were setting at defiance the establishment OC the jaw would over-reach themselves. The letter conveying this message wa> the one to which Sir Philip had referred so airily in hi", conversation with his secret?)ry. It had come by post tearing the date mark. "Balaam. 12.15." The question is. shall iie keep you abso- lutely surrounded, so that these men cannot bv any possible chance carry out their th-eat'r" asked Superintendent Falmouth 'n 5'Orne perplexity, "or shall we apparently r?!ax cur v;g?!ance in order to lure one of the four to h i-. (i c. t ic, i,. The question was directed to Sir Philip Ramon <13 he sat huddled up in the capa- ci-'Hx depths 0;" his office chair. "Yen want to use me as a bait?" he asked sharply. Th? detective expostulated. What am I t<> (lo with 't?" Xot exactly that. sir; we want to give men a chance I understand perfectly." said the Minister, with some &how of irritation. The detective rer-umed- We know now how the infernal machine was smuggled into the House: on the day on which the outrage was committed an old member. Mr. Bascoe, the member for North Torrington. was seen to enter the House." Well?" asked Sir Philip in surprise. Mr. Bascoe was never within a hundred miles of the House of Commons on that ctat-e,' said the detective quietly. W" might never have found it out, for his name did not appear in the division list. We've been working quietly on that House of Commons affair ever since, and it was only a couple of days ago that we made the dis- covery. Sir Philip sprang from his chair and ner- vously paced the floor of hio room. Then they are evidently weil acquainted with the conditions of life in England," he asserted rather than asked. Evidently: they've got the lay of the land, and that is one of the dangers of the situation." But," frowned the other, "you have told me there were no dangers, no real dangers." There is this danger, sir," replied the detective, eyeing the Minister steadily, and dropping his voice as he spoke, "men who are capable of making such disguise are really outside the ordinary run of criminals, i don't know what their game is. but. whatever it is, they are playing it thoroughly. One of II them is evidently an artist, at that sort of thing, and he's the man I'm afraid of—to- day." Sir Philip's head tossed impatiently. "I am tired of all this. tired of it"-he thrashed the edge of his desk with an open palm -"detectives and disguises and masked murderers until the atmosphere is, for all the world. like that of a melodrama." "You must have patience for a day or two," "a.1\.1 the plain-spoken officer. The Four Just Men were on the nerves of more people than the Foreign Minister. "And we have not decided what is to be our plan for this evening." be added. "Do as yon like," said Sir Philip shortly, and then, "am I to be allowed to go to the House to-night?" "0; that is not part of the programme," replied the detective. Sir Philip stood for a moment in thought. "These arrangements; they are kept secret, I 'suppose?" "Absolutely." Who knows of them?" "Yourself. the Commissioner, your secre- t-ary. and myself." "And no one else?" ,No one; there is no danger likely to arise from that source. If upon the secrecy of yonr movements your safety depended, it would be plain sailing." "Have these arrangements been committed to writing?" aeked Sir Philip. "No. sir: nothing has been written: our I plans have been settled upon and communi- cated verbally; even the Prime Minister does not know." Sir Philip breathed a sigh of relief. "'that is all to the good," he said as the detective rose to "I must see the Commissioner. I shall be j awa.y for less than half an hour. in the mean- time I suggest that you do not leave your room." lie said. Sir Philip followed him to the ante-room, in which sat Hamilton. the secretary. "1 have had an uncomfortable feeling," said Falmouth, as nne of his men approached with a long coat, which he proceeded to help the detective into, a sort of instinctive j feeling t.his last day or two that I have been watched and followed, so that I am using a motor-car to convey me from p!a, .e to place; they can't follow that without attracting1 some notice." He dipped his hand into the rx)ch-, and brought. out a pair f motor; ,gog!es. He 13 n:;hed somewhat shamefacedly as he adjusted them. This is the only dis- giiige I en-ey- adopt, and I might say, Sir: Philip." he added with some regret, that, this is the first time during my 25 years of i i service chat I have ever played the fool like a stage detective." After Falmouth's departure the Foreign Minuter returned to his desk. He hated being alone; it frightened him. I That there were t.w:» score detectives wit bin call did not dispel the feeling of loneliness, The terror of the Four was ever with him, and this had so worked upon his nerves that the -lightest noise irritated him. "He played -i,h the penholder that lay on the desk, i He scribbled inconsequently on the blotting- i)a ti -e him. and was annoyed to ilnd that I the i the scribbling had taken the form of num- | b?' of fig?- 4. Was the Bill worth it? Was the sacrifice i called for? Was the measure of such import- i ance as to justify the ri,;k? These things he asked himself again and again, a.nd then immediately. What sacrifice? What risk? j I am taking the consequence too much fo:- granted." he muttered, throwing aside the pen. and half turning from the writing ta 1) ThEre is no certainty that they win | keep their w rd; bah! it i- impct"ib;e that keel,, their w r(i: 4ah' i, i- impc?-i b ;e ta? ???ere was a kneek at the door. Hullof Superintendent." said the Foreign Minister as the knocker e:1t-ered. Back again already?" The detective, rigorously brushing the i dust from his moustache with a handker- ichief, drew an officiai-looking blue envelope from his pocket. J "I thought I had better leave this in your care." hÐ- said, dropping his voice; "it occurred to me iiist after I had left; acci- dents happen, you know." The Minister took the document. 1 What is it?" he asked. "It is something which would mean absolute disaster for me if by chance it was found in my possession," said the detective, turn- iner to go. "Wnat aIr I tc do with it?" You would greatly oblige me by putting it in your desk until I return." and the detective steppe,! into the ante-room, closed the door behind him. and. acknowledging th-a silntf of the plain clothes fficer who guaroed the >;iter door, passed to the motoi- car thot waited him. Pir Phili]) loosed at the envelope with a puzzled frown. It bore the superscription. "Confidential," jaDd 1?3 address. Departa»ent A. C.I.D., ?ot.'aid Yard." "O,n conSdentiat report." thcu?ht Sir Philip, and an angry doubt as to the U()i- bUi.ty of it containing particuian- of the police arrangements for his safety filled his mind. He had hit bv accident upon the truth had he but known. The envelope con- tained tbevgie particulars. He placed the letter in a drawer of his desk and drew seme papers towanis him. They were copies of the Bill for the pas- sage of which he was daring so much. It was not a long document. The clauses were few in numbe', the objects, briefly de- scribed in the preamble, were tersely defined. There no fear of this Bill failing to pass on the morrow. V-he Government's majority was assured. Men had been brought back to town, stragglers had Jn whipped in. prayers and threat; alike had assisted in concantratin? thr rapMiiy dwindling strength I of the Administration on this one eSort cf !'e?Kjation: and what the frantic {.ntreahes of 'be whips had failed to Recure. curiosity^ had accomplished. for members of $ parties, wero hurrying to town to be present at a scene which might, perhaps, be history, and. as many feared, tragedy. As Sir Philip conned the paper he mechani- oaHy formed in his mind the line of attack —for. tragedy or none, the Bill struck at too many interests in the House to allow of its passaee wit.hont a stormy debate. He was d I master of dialectic", a brilliant casuist, a coiner of phr??s that stuck and stun. There was nothing for him to fear in the debate. If only It hurt him to think of the Four Just Men. Xot so much because they threatened his life—he had gone past that. but the mere thought that there had come a new factor into his calculations, a new and a terrifying force, that could not be argu,ed down or brushed aside with an acid jest, nor intrigued against, nor adjusted by any Parliamentary method. He did not. think of compromise. The possibility of making terms with his enemy never once entered his head "I'll go through, with it!" he cried, not once, hut a aoore of times. "I 11 go through with :.t.. and now. as the moment grew nearer to hand. his determination to try I conclusions with this new world-foirce grew stronger than ever. The telephone at his elbow purred—he was sitting at his desk with his head on his hands and he took the receiver. The voice of his house steward reminded him that he had arranged to give instruction", for the closing of the house in Portland-place. For two or three days, or until this terror ha-d subsided, he intended his house should be empty. He would not risk the lives of his servants. If the Four intended to carry ütlit, their plan they would run no risks of failure, and if the method they employed were a bomb, then to make assurance doubly sure, an explosion at Downing-street might veH synchronise with an outrage at Port- land-place. He had finished his talk, and was replacing the receiver when a knock at the door heralded the entry of the detective. He looked anxiously at the Minister. "Nobody been, sir?" he a.~ked. Sir Philip smiled. If by that you mean have the Four delivered their ultimatum in person, I can comfort your mind—they have not." I: The detective's face was evidence of his relief. "Thank Heaven he said fervently, I had an awful dread that whilst I was away something Would happen. But I have news for you, sir." Indeed!" Yes. sir. the Commissioner has received a long cable from America. Since the two murders in that country one of Pinkerton's men has been engaged in collecting data. For years he has been piercinig together the scrappy evidence he has been able to secure, I' and this is his cablegram." The detective drew a paper from his pocket and, spreading it on the desk, read: — PI-YKLRTOX, CHICAGO. TO COMMISSIONER OF POLICE. SCOTLAND YARD. IXDNDON. Warn Ramon that the tour do not go outside their promise. If they have threatened to kill in a certain manner at a certain time they will be punctual. We have proof of this characteristic. After Anderson's death small memorandum book was discovered outside window of room, evid-ently dropped. Book was empty save for three pages, which were filled with neatly written memoranda beaded" Six methods cf execution." It was initialled "C" (third lettei- in alphabet i. Warn Ramon against following: drinking coffee in any form, opening letters or parcels. using soap that has not been manufactured under eye of trustworthy agent, sitting I' in any room other than that occupied day and night by police officer. Examine his bedroom; see if there is any method by which heavy gases can be introduced. We are sending two men by Lucania to watch. The detective finished reading. "Wath" i was not the last word in the original mes- sage, as he knew. There had been an ominous postscript, Afraid they will arrive fx*' late." "Then yon think?" asked the statesman. That your danger lies in doing one of the thin? tha.t Pinkerton warns us against." replied the d?tectiv?. "There is no fear that the American poUce are talking idly. They I have based their warning on some sure know- ledge. and that is why I regard their cable as important." There was a sharp rap on the panel of the door, and without waiting for invitation the private secretary walked into the room. excitedly waving a newspaper. look at this" he crie.,I, read this! The Four have admitted their failure." What!" shouted the detective, reaching for the journal. What does this mean?" asked Sir Philip sharply. Only this, sir, these beggars, it appears. I have actually written an article on their mission" In what newspaper?" | "The 'Megaphone.' It seem when they re- captured Thery the editor a?ked the rnked nikln to write him an article a.OOut himself. ¡ and they've done it; and it's here, an-d they've admitted defeat, and—and The detective had seized the paper and broke in ttpon the inooherent secretary's speecn. The Creed of the Four Just Men, be read, where is their confession of failure?" Half way down the coiuTu-n-I have marked the passage—here and the yomng man pointed with a trembling finger to a paragraph. The detective read:- We leave nothing to chance. If the slightest hitch occurs, if the least detail of our plan miscarries, we acknowledge defeat. So assured are we that our presence on earth is necessary for the carrying out of ? great p)an. so certain are we that we are t h indispensable instruments of a divine providence. that we dare not. for our very cause' sake, accept unnecesea-y risks". It i* essential therefore that the various preliminaries to every execration should he carried out to the full. As an example, it will be necessary for us to deliver our final warning to Sir Philip I i Ramon: and to add point to this warning it is.. by: our code, essential that that, should be handed, to the Minister by one of us in person. All arrangements have been made to carry this portion of our pro- i gramme into effect. But such are t,he i extr.wnlinary exigencies of our system that unle-s this warning can he handed to I f-ir Philip in accordance with our promise, and before fic-ht o'clock this evening, our | arrangements faH to the ground, and the j 1 execution we have planned mUEt be fore- gone. The detective stopped reading, with dis-! appointment visible on every line of his face, 1 thought, sir, by the way you were carrying on that you had discovered some-! thing new. J'va real all this: a copy of the article was sent to the Yard us soon as it was received." Tho secretary thumped the desk im- patiently. Rti t' don't you 88e" he cried, "don't you understand, that there is no longer any need to guard Sir Philip, that there is no reason to use him as a bait. or, in fact, to do any- thing if we are to believe thes-e men-look at the time The detective's hand flew to his pocket; he drew out. his watch, looked at the dial and ¡ whittled. "Haff-pa?t eight," he muttered in astonish- ment. and the three stood in surprised silence. I Sir Philip broke the silence. I-. it a ruse to take us off cur guard?' he said. hoarsely. I "T ,¡on'! think so," replied the detect-i-ve s?owty. "I feel sure that it is not: nor gha't ? I "eiax my v.atch -b?t I am a r?tiever in the honesty of these men-I don't know why I I s'nou! say this, for I have been dealing with criminals fer the past twenty'<ive years, and never once have I put an ounce of faith in 'he word of the h?t, of 'em, but F?omehov 1 can't disbelieve these men. If Hre: have faJled to dc'ive- their message they ?i?l not trouble us again." I Rainon paced his room with quick, nervous steps. i I w'?h I could I*Iieve that." he mut- j tered; "I wish I had your faith." A tap or, the door panel. An urgent, telegram for i-ir Philip," said a erey-haired attendant. The Minister stretched out his hand, but the detective wa- before him. Remember Pinlertcn's wire. sir," he said, and ripped open the brown envelope. Just received a telegram handed, in at I Charing Cross 7.52 begins: We htve delivered our la.st message to the Foreign Secretary, signed Four Ends. Is this true? Editor Megaphone." %N -liat does t.bi" mean?" asked Falmouth in bewilderment, when he had finished reading. It means, my clear Mr. Falmouth." replied •Sir Philip tetitily. "that your noble Four are I liars and braggarts as well as murderers: and it means at the same time. I hope. an end to your ridiculous faith in their honesty!" I The detective made no answer, but his face was clouded, and he bit his lips in perplexity. ¡ Nobody came after I left," he asked. "Nobody." You have seen no person beside your secretary and myself?" Absolutely nobody has spoken to me or approached within a dozen yards of me," Ramon answered shortly. Falmouth shook his head despairingly. Well-I—Where are we?" be asked, speak- ing more to himself than to anybody in the room, and moved towards the door. Then it was that Sir Philip remembered the package left in his charge. "You had better take your precious docu- ments." he said. opening his drawer and throwing the pa-ckage left in hitS charge on to the table. The detective looked puzzled. "Wha.t is that?" he asked, picking up the envelope. I'm afraid the shock of finding yourself deceived in your estimate of my persecutors has dazed you," said Sir Philip, and added pointedly, I must ask the Commissioner to send an officer who has a better appreciation 'of the criminal mind, and a. lesa childlike faith in the honour of murderers." "At" to that, sir." oaid Falmouth, unmoved by the outburst. yon must do as you think best. I have discharged Vy duty to my own satisfaction and I -bzve no more critical task- master than myself. But what I am more anxious to hear is exactly what you mean by saying that I handed any papers into your care?" The Foregn Secretary glared across the table at the imperturbable police-officer. I am referring, sir," he said harehly, to the packet which you returned to leave in my charge." The deteotive stared. I-did-not--return," he said in a strained voice, and I b-a-ve left no papers in your hands." He picked up the package from the table, tore it open, a.nd disclosed yet another envelope. As he caught sight of the grey- green cover he gave a sharp cry. This is the message of the Fonr," eaid Falmouth. The Foreign Secretary staggered back a pace, white to the lipe. "And the man who delivered it?" he gasped. "Was one of the Four Just Men." said the detective grimly. They have kept t-heir promise." He took a quick step to the door, passed through into the ante-room and beckoned the p'.ain-clothes officer who stood on guard at the outer door. "Do you remember my going out?" he asked. Yes. --ir-bot-h times." "Both times, eh! said Falmouth bitterly, and how did I look the second time?" His subordinate was bewildered at the form the question took. As usual, sir," he stammered. f" How was I dressed?" The constable considered. In your long dust coat." I wore my goggles, I suppose?" Yes, sir." I thought so," muttered Falmouth savagely, and raced down the broad marble stairs that led to the entranee-hall. There were four men on duty, who saluted him as he approached. "Do you remember my going out?" he asked of the sergeant in charge. Yes sir—both times," the officer replied. your both times," snapped Fal- mouth, how long had I been gone the first time before I returned?" Five minutes, sir," was the astonished officer's reply "They just gave themselves time to do it," muttered Falm<juth, and then aloud, Did I return in my car?" Yes. sir." "Ah!" hope sprang into the detective's brea-st, did you notice the number?" he asked, almost fearful to hear the reply. Y'es! The detective could have hugged the stolid officer. "Good—what was it?" A 17164." The detective made a rapid note of the number. Jackson," he called. and one of-the men in mufti stepped forward and saluted. Go to the Yard; find out. the registered owner of this car. When you have found this go to the owner; a.sk him to explain the movements; if necessary, take him into custody. Falmouth retraced his steps to Sir Philip's study. He found the statesman still agitatedly walking up and down the room, the secretary nervously drumming his fingers on the table and the letter still unopened. "As I thought." explained FaJmouth. "The man you saw was one of the four impersona- ting me. He chose his time admirably; my own men were deceived. They managed to get a car exactly similar in build and colour to mine, and, watching their opportunity, they drove to Downing-street a few minutes after I had left. There is one last, chance of -)iir catching him--luckily the sergeant on noticed the number of the car; and we might be able to trace him through that- hullo!" An attendant etood at the door. Would tha superintendent see Deteotive Jackson ? Falmouth found him waiting in the hall belc-w. I beg your pardon, sir," said Jackson, ;aluti-.ig, but is there not some mistake in this number?" Why?" asked the detective sharply. Because," said the man, "A 17164 iF the lumber of your own car." (TO BE CONTINUED TO-MORROW.)

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