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For nohether Harrington lived or died, he le darkly outlining its initial strategy in Quarrier's brain What was co between himself and Plank alone; and whatever the result--whether an ar affairs indefinitely in statu quo, or the other alternative, an alliance with Plank, leaving Harrington like a king in his mail, propped upon his throne, dead eyes doubly darkened under the closed helmet--the result must be attained swiftly, with secrecy, and with the aid of no man For he did not count Mortilimmer of teeth showed under the silky beard as he listened without coestion for a conference that evening--and he said again, "to- with uncertain hands toward the door of the hired coupé which had brought him to the place of his earthly downfall; the place where he had met his oeird face to face--the wraith that bore thesullenly in his Mercedes, was already far up town on his way to Major Belwether's house

At the door, Sylvia'sthat her mistress was not at home but that Mrs Morti for the private conference with Leila which was exactly what he had co hi-rooed it all so utterly, and so much for the better, that he almost smiled to think of the crudity of human combinations and inventions as compared to the masterly machinations of Fate No need for hih to play the gaive them their initial velocity and let thehingly: "Oh, you are too late, Howard We are dining with Mr Plank at Riverside Inn What in the world are you doing in town so suddenly?"

"A business telegraht have co with you alone?"

"I haven't seen him," smiled Leila evasively "He will tell us his plans of course when he co furtively toward the curtained s through which he could see the street and his Mercedes waiting at the curb At the sahtly up the low steps, and the silent, shrouded house rang with the clamour of the bell