And there, w ith splendid horses U, ride, he would pa»« the rest o f hia days. And, of course, he would have hia daughter. When the three men In evening dress were summoned to breakfast In 1 the Japanese garden, they found their host sim ilarly clad. W hether he had not been to bod, or w hether he had dressed thus to make th e ir own garb less singular, they did not know. They knew only that they found him free from embarrassment and as courteous­ ly considerate as he had been at din­ ner. Not during the meal was anything *ald about his proposition. M llm an talked freely of his garden and the rare plants In It. A little dial at his side attracted Bradney’s notice. H e saw that a w ire was attached to It leading to the north wall. C O U V R IS HT l i t W.M.U. “A little burglar device o f my own,” H t V N IT C S « T A T U SCAVICC Mllm an explained. "By it I am en­ rlous room. "Sudden change from n abled to detect the presence o f any­ hovel furnished by a man culled E lp p thing on the Iron screen which shuts sky. W ent to my head. H aven't been this place In. F o r example, I f I find Inside n decent house for years." He the dial Indicates five pounds in was relieved when Bradney smiled al weight, and that the object Is moving, I can tell almost certainly It la a w an­ him. I f a hundred and sixty " If Is late." said Peter M llm an, “so dering cat. I think we had better arrange to pounds, I can be sure of a burglar breakfast together at nine. You will looking for an opening. Cats are fre ­ find night gear and dressing gowns In quent visitors. In the score o f years this garden has existed I have had your rooms.'* no more than seven burglars." lie shook them each by the hand "W hat happens to them?" Barnes Bradney had the feeling of being sent to bed like u child. H e did not get asked. "H ow do you get them?" " I extinguish the lights here and Into bed when he hud changed. He lighted Ids pipe and Hung him self Into the shades are drawn back. By illu ­ a big chulr, H e wus no less excited m inating the m arked area, I see the In Ida own way than N'eeland Barnes. Intruder and have him at my mercy. There wga something under the cour- 1 keep a loaded shotgun handy, and ' leous exterior c f f*eter Mllm an which there Is seldom any difficulty In the I he had not yet solved. Wgs the veiled matter. O nly one ever got through , promise to reinstate him the result of i sane belief or a madman's vision of ' victory? He knew nothing about I'e- 1 ter M llm an. P recluse y FIFTH I 7 AVENUE g CHAPTER L W YNDHAM MARTYN Teter Mllm an leaned agiilnrf the ro m e r of the Colonial mantelpiece of cream marble and looked at hl* guests w ith no undue eagerness. lie might have been proposing a game of billiards or auction bridge. For the moment none of them could estimate with any exactness Just what risks he was asking ibem to run They knew only that this man of blameless life distinguished fuinily and assured social position was culm ly proposing to engage them In a con­ spiracy to take from Paul Itaxon some of those many dollars Ids unscrupu­ lous conduct had won. “N a tu rally .” M llm an continued, "you are too much surprised to have your answers ready. You cannot believe that I am serious. O r you may think for nnguessed reasons that I am try- Ing to trap you Into damaging ndmls- alons. I repeat In all seriousness that J am ruined. I have some Inconsider­ I able assets which may be untouched, but all the things In this house of ! value— and there are many— will he sold because Paul Itaxon ruined my I closest friend. And lie murdered him. gentlemen.” M llmau's voice was sterner now. "Raxon lias brought me to an Impoverished and friendless end Unless I struggle against It, I sliaA Rradney's room was separated from that occupied by Floyd M alet by n bathroom. H e rapped at the dcor. and was bidden to enter. “Sorry to bother you," said Bradney "hut I'd like to discuss thia thing with yon. PH adm it the thing obsesses me entirely. Selfishly, I'm bound to say My life lias only one love, and that's my work. I f I thought there really was a chance o f being able to get con trol of a physical laboratory again, In Join those unnumbered victims his ca­ dependent of outside Interference and reer lias creuted. .My proposition 1« subsidized to Insure continuous ex most certainly a reasonable one. Since perlmentation, there Is nothing I Paul Itaxon by Illegal means—or, let would not do.” me suy. Inequitable means— ha« Floyd M alet did not speak for a brought us to what we are and driven little while. Very much the same m y dear friend to a suicide's grave, I thoughts had passed through his own purpose to pool our abilities and en mind. “ I don't mind saying," he re thbaiaama and make him pay some marked, “that my present existence thing In return.” Is so dlstnsteful that prison has no M lltnan's remarks were addressed horrors for me." mainly to Bradney. lie was assured "E xactly." Bradney said quickly o f Barnes, and he hnd seen an eager "W ill It lead to prison J You see, we neaa about Floyd .Malet It was Flem Should not go to prison as heroes, but Ing Bradney who was frowning. as miserable little blackmailers, or "Thia Is too Important n thing to something of that sort. Is this man settle offhand,* said M llm an. “ You ' sane? That's the thing which bothers w ill, o f course, spend the night here me. I've never hoard o f him before. T o u r rooms are ready for you. 1 w ill ' W hat la hia fam ily history? Is this aay only thia: If you want proofs that a greut delusion? Has he brooded so Raxon la the cause of your troubles, long that lie lias become abnormal? I cannot give them. He la not the sort He knows about you and me and thm o f man who can he convicted by any ass Barnes, but whnt do we know of ordinary process. I f you want ray him?" word o f honor as a gentleman that I ' "Let's ask Barnes. They have com am certain he Is to blame. I give It m m friends, as we learned at dinner to you readily.” I rather like Kurnea. You can see he's M llm an pushed the button that aunt- J w illing to he first or second murderer moned Achille Entry. It was plain h-j whenever culled upon." wished no fu rth e r discussion. Only ( N'eeland llarnes wa« stretched on a Ifrsdney made a protest. cnalse longue o v e r his pajamas was “ I ’m In evening dress. I can't go a rich lounglug robe of blue allk. back to the works like Ihls tomorrow “Come In," he cried genially. He morning." had entirely forgotten Ills temporary " I do not think you w ill ever go annoyance at Flem ing Bradney, which hack there." I'p ler M llm an said. W ill- hail sprung lesa from dislike of him Ing “ It may he that you think other­ than a desire to come to the aid of wise and w ill miss a day. If m I I his host. have provided you against monetary "t.ook here, Barnes," Bradney be­ loss. Come, gentlemen, he my guest* gun earnestly, "tell me as a m»n of tomorrow ” the world what you think Mr. M llm an " I wonder,” said N'eeland Barnes, really means." “I f I could have Just a little brandy! " I think lie's got a plan up his I'm a hit excited w ith what you havt sleeve to trim this Itaxon and share said, and I'd like to make sure of a the piotlts w ith us The Idea suits tne few hours' sleep. "Thank you," when down to the ground." Achille hud been sent for the cognac. "I'o you think Mllmnn Is sane?" "Count on me tomorrow and the iluy “ lluven't u dould of It. W hy should a fte r ami a* long as you like. I f any you?" halr-apllttlng. moralizing coward tries I I I * annixing pro[Misltlon for one to perauade himself that he hasn't go: thing. He doesn't belong to the crlinl a grievance against Paul Itaxon. let mil classes, and yet he proposes to ex him go home, set the alarm get up at tract enough .money from Itaxon 11 daybreak and punch the clock when pay hack his own losses and endow the whistle blow s" mj laboratory and start M alet again At th * moment N'eeland Barnes felt ind give you a new chance. W e know- there was nothing he would so much very well that Raxon won't give up like ss swinging hl» right sere«« to money unless forced to. To use force the point o f Rrndney'a Jaw Itnrnes Is to come under the frown of the considered (hal he stood |n the light law in short, it is a crim inal under­ o f Mllmnn'a champion, lie owed -i taking." duty to so generous a ho«t. "Not as I look at It," said Barnes "Gentlemen, gentlemen,” said Peter easily. "Ruxon In my opinion Is an M llm an. "Please do not quarrel. Pro outlaw .” feagor Bradney lias risen su|»erlnr to "But the law ,” P.rndney Insisted, personal enmities. He lips forgiven "the law doesn't admit that. To th * Itaxon. I confess that I have n o t” rest of the world he is a great man.” , Rradney looked coldly at N’eeland "W e know he's a crook, so what Barnes. do we care for the world?" Barnes Barnes," he ssld. "has courage, was evidently not te he shaken Rrad- and a tendency to quarrel. Most men nev tried another tack. “ la there any have. It requires greater courage to Insanity In the M llm an fam ily?'' estimate the risks of such sn under “ Not that I ever heard of. T he M il tsklng as tbu and then enter It with mans have always been shrewd, con out heat or rancor I am not a cow rervarlvs men Poor old Peter's the ard morally nr p h y s ic ally ; and If M r last of 'em, and the l est It may he Barhes thinks 'so. be Is ss poor a there's something crazy In w anting to Judge of man ss he Is of the consld live down here, and yet when I see eratlon he owes s fep vw guest w hat a beautiful home he's got and “ My fault, my fau lt e n tir e ly ,B e r n e , think of my shack at fe e k s k tll. I un murmurei* He had seen 'n Itradnev« derstand why he wants to fight to eves no trace of fear, lib was con keep It.” acloua that old New York had not per Barnes nodded a genial good night formed according to traditional form to his visitors. H e did not under­ "Nobles«» oblige " he added surtdefi'V stand why they hung hack Already "A little excited " He waved sn arm he was visioning the fu tu re * He arnia w h ijh in i n S |j the whole of the luxu would buy a great ranch ip ' »Htn “I know details o f his personal and business life that he cannot possibly suspect." “ But how,” Bradney asked, “i f you rarely go out and never receive vlsi tors, cun you get at this inform ation, which must most surely be very «11® cult o f access?” "In the beginning, by design. I was determined to find out w hat forces had pulled you and M alet down. Eater, by accident. I spoke not long ago of my cellar. My fath er laid down a great deal of port in 1871, when I was born. I t la a w ine I do not great ly care for. A law yer named I.oddon, who has acted fo r me for some years, is also I!axon's confidential attorney. His name never nppears publicly In Raxon's affairs. H e is engaged mainly In keeping his client clear of the e f­ fects of earlier Indiscretions. Loddon had dined w ith me many times, and Iliia port Induces amazing loquacity In him. I f I have doubted his assertions, he has boasted the more loudly. These dinners became at last a most Interesting part o f my life. I drew him on deliberately, never perm itting him to see my keenn-ss.” M llm an smiled. "F o r every bottle o f m.v port Loddqn drank, he repaid me a hun- dredrold. It was when Loddon learned that M alet had made 'The Settlers' that he told me In so many words that his client was responsible. I w ill not weary you w ith details. I have a careful record of every conver­ sation. It soothed hia ego to talk, and he believed me harmless. Yes, gentlemen, I know a great deal about Paul Raxon." "And you think lie’ll be easy to de- feat?" Rradney asked. “No more dangerous man lives in all New Y o rk,” Peter M llm an said gravely. “T h a t la why 1 have been so careful In selecting my conipan Ions. CHAPTER VI Ths Alarm M ust H a v e Been Order. The alarm must have been out of order, for he sawed his way In during dinner and broke Ills neck on a stone known, very nmuslngly, as 'the Stone of the Respectful Visitor.' I an, very- well protected here. I have had- time to elaborate certain devices which make me feel perfectly safe. The po­ lice assure me th a t my cellar is the attraction. It Is stored w ith whnt was laid down many years ngo and the law allows me to keep." W atching the speaker carefully, Rradney had come to the conclusion that his host was wholly sane. “ I've made up my mind," he said, when Achille had gone. “ W ell?" snld M llm an. H e felt If Rradney failed th a t M alet would he dissuaded. “W ell?" “I'm w ith you.” “I thought you would he when you had hnd tim e to reflect that what is unlaw ful Is not alw ays Inequitable. I am very g rateful. And you, M r. M alet?" “Count me In.” “I di'i,', think M r. M llm an hns any doubts u hi mt me," Neelnnd Humes re­ marked. Peter M llm an smiled a little . He ra th e r liked thia big mun. “ 1 had no doubts about yon. Now that we are agreed. let u« discuss the thing." "F irs t of nil," Rradney said, "what are your pinna?" “I have no plans," M llm an returned. I see that you look disappointed. Evl- | dentl.v you expectetd me to have the whole thing cut and dried. T h a t, gen tleinen, seems unreasonable. W hat object should I have In Inviting you here If I were able to accomplish the thing alone? I approach the problem w ith an open mind M.v contribution tow ard It w ill he to entertain you for three months. I f at the end of that tim e we are not successful this house w ill no longer he my home. We shall have failed, and If we are still at large there w ill he five hundred dollars each for yon A ll expenses w ill be borne by me I hope you are not dismayed Ivy my news. I do not th in k you will he You have not been chosen Idly In Professor Bradney we have a great Intellect fit to expend Itse lf on our common problem. In M r M alet we have the quick mind and vivid Imagl nation of the artist. M r N'eeland Barnes brings to us physics! prowess and sn extensive knowledge of the un­ derw orld and its ways. My eontrihu tion seems small by comparison "F irs t.'' said Flem ing Bradney, “let us collate all documents that hear on the subject I assume you have data , coocarnlng Paul Raxon. M r M il man?" j -1 have a *r»r4ofc. »aid U¿j*eot. Although Paul Itaxon had always professed a great belief In his own destiny, he had never thought to be a m ultim illionaire. H e found himself, suddenly, a national figure. It amused him to read newspaper accounts of himself. People assumed that he had newly come to New York, whereas he had been for years a power working through other men. I t was as an architect's clerk he dis­ covered the g ra ft which was possible In the building trade. Among the group of Illite ra te men who were hold­ ing up big Jobs and. levying blackmail from contractors In the mime o f Ea- bor, he soon become a leader. He was cautious, educated and supremely cunning. The price o f success was the betrayal o f I,Is benefactor, and he had not hesitated to make It. Al the age o f forty-tw o he took his place w ith the living powers In W all Street, hated by many, liked by few, hut despised by none. Publicity over­ whelmed him at last. Mrs. Itaxon and her fam ily returned from Europe, where for some years they had lived. At a large price he purchased GreHt Rock, form erly the home of Belllngton of the Traction trust, and he knew he must fill It with his wife's friends and entertain In the manner of the very rich. A t this period of his life the Idea of power obsessed him. He did not want to run the risk of losing w hat he had gained. He wus not anxious for any unsavory episodes o f Ills past to arise. T here had been many, and w ifi, niogt women were concerned. He grew less Intrigued w ith women as the Idea of senatorial honors forced Itself upon him. Senator Raxon o f New- York 1 No state honors fo r him. Hs desired to be sent to Washington, lxid don. his lawyer, licked Ills thick lips at the thought. “ I'm satisfied," said Raxon, “that nobody can pull me down. Jtm Caf- fra y was dangerous, but he's In Sing Sing for seven years.” - "H e 'll he out In live," said Loddon. "and Jim's dungemca, because lie knows a lot." "Jim w ill be not In less than that," Itaxon retorted. "Bright'« illaeas'. He's Incurable. You look like a Bright's disease tyjie, I.oddon, Better he moderate If you want to help me to the United States senate. I've got a chance. Women are voting against the old ma< hlnp type o f politician, and | tli going t cultivate the women and pose as the pioneer of a new day. Itaxon chuckled a little. lie was a t i n ,I looking man, slim, and a little stooped. He had fine hands and good features, lie could bring readily to Ills aid the salesman * forced enthusiasm, which seemed gen ulue to those who did not know him. He knew- lie would do well In politics if no old ghosts arose to confound him. F o r years now lie had been liv ­ ing among men Immeasurably beneath him In Intelligence, a lucky turn had made him Independent of them. To go to Jhe seuate from New York would b - sn expensive matter, but he was prepared to pay To th a t end It would be necessary io conserve his fortune. H is wife, a fte r years of liv ­ ing In second-rate hotels, was Inclined to a te Lists extravagance. Domestic life at G reat (lock was » tia lu e j. Yet Raxon saw that the era of great eu tertainm ents was at band. He knew the! as he was to w a man In the pub­ lic eye, he hatl better do the thing well. The !i(e of relatively small thin«« v.is oviy Not again would he deal w ith th? tim er sort of men Much of hls Uniusemgrt rame from watching «h* i?en c : a t . - ? l ^ Y f } l n j j o assçrt uiemseives. T h ere was L/iCdon, for instance. At heart, of the shyster law yer type and filled w ith the ideals of petty graft, a w ealthy benefactor had bought him a partnership w ith a respectable Ann and he had to guide his professional conduct accordingly. Loddon for the moment was filled w ith glee at his own fortune. He wished Raxon to regard him as an equal instead of snapping orders at him. H e ventured to disagree w ith his patron. “My success," Raxon said, stopping him w ith a gesture, "is due to two things. One Is a total absence of pity. Another that I only use men th a t 1 can crush if they get out of hand. Jim ('a ffra y was one. You're another." H e looked at the groxs, formless creature and sneered. “ When I pipe, you shall dance; and if you don't dance to my liking, w hat hap­ pens? T he B a r association w ill dis­ bar you. You may try- to Incrim inate me, but you haven’t a shred of evi­ dence of anything crooked, not a check, letter, telegram, or a dicta­ phone conversation. Keep me in good humor, Loddon, and work for me and you’ll go fur. T ry to be Independent, or Indiscreet, and I shall break you.’’ "Why, Paul,” Loddon cried, "what's got Into you? I ’m the loyalest follow er you ever had, and you know It.” Raxon smiled. " I w ant Intelligent loyalty, and you’re not overburdened w ith intelligence any more than ( 'a f ­ fra y wus. I'm not underestimating you. You've been useful to me lu a number of ways." "Thank you,” said Loddon, almost bitterly. lie thought of certain un­ professional things he had done at his patron's bidding which had. In effect, delivered him bound hand and foot to Raxon. T hat Raxon aspired to a United States senatorshlp seemed a laudable enough ambition. Rut that he had a chance seemed, on reflection, almost absurd. And yet Raxon was not the kind of man to delude himself. Lod­ don voiced Ills doubts. "M cK Im ber Is the party's nominee,” he observed. “O f course, he'll carry N'ew Y’ ork city, and they say he’ll get more votes up-state than any possible candidate." “ The party w ill get the votes, not the man,” snld Raxon. "But M cK Im ber's the p a rty ’s choice," Loddon persisted. " I t lool r th a t way, doesn’t it?” Raxon smiled. "M cKIm ber's very popular.” "You're keeping something back," said Loddon. " I always do. T h a t’s why I get on. That's why I ’m going to the senate." His hands clasped behind him, Paul Raxon stood a t a window and looked over the sourd. Loddon talked, but he did not listen. Raxon saw him self In a few years as the greatest money power In America. All hls fu tu re was carefully planned. H e was now en gaged In mapping out a present. He appreciated the power of women politically and knew he must appear as a home-loving man, a man who was notoriously good to hls w ife and chll dren. Fortunately, all of them were a ttractive physically. H e was Interrupted by Mrs. Raxon She was a handsome, dark woman who had only Just discovered that w hile she had been living abroad her httshand had become ' enormously w ealthy. She had the sense of a per sonal grievance against him highly de­ veloped. H e could see sfie was pre­ pared fo r battle. " I w ant a suitable allowance for myself and the children," she began. “I want n banking account and my own limousine and chauffeur.” She had thrown down the gage Sn4 waited, a little frightened, for w h a t was com­ ing. Paul had always seemed Incom- prehenslble. She did not understand him now. When he smiled it might be. she supposed, the pr«|tude to some biting sarcasm. * “ C ertainly,” he said. “A very good Idea. Fortunately, Eoddon la here. T a lk It over w ith him. I am vepy w illing that you should take yotfl- place In society. I only a«k that y