"~-7 -2 INTERNATIONAL FALLS PRESS, MAY 15, 1919 PAGE THREE best automobile sent around to the isn't the least reason lu the woriu chimney pots, tle window hangingsall Barnes' shoulder. He staiieu m, door as quickly as possible. A couple why—" were the color of the nnchanging untarily. The man was beginning to of my men are going to Hornville to "You see, the poor old chap asks forest. And it was a place of huge get on his nerves. He seemed tc ftftch hither my—" us up here once or twice a year—that dimensions, low and long and rambling. dogging his footsteps with ceasele is to say, De Soto and me—to keep "Just a minute," interrupted Putnam persistency. Jones, wholly'unimpressed. "A his sister from filling the house up 'Gad," he said to himself, "what "That feller over there in the corner," with men he can't endure. So Idng man just called you up on the phone, manner of crank is he who would •i said Jones softly, "is a book Mr. Barnes. I told him you was entertaining as we occupy the only available rooms, bury himself like this? Of all the agent from your town. He sold me a BARR he argues, she can't stuff them full royalty at lunch and crazy ideas I ever—" sSt- of Dickens when he was here last of objectionables. Twice a year she couldn't be disturbed. So he asked His reflections ended there. A woman time, about six weeks ago. A year's comes for a month, in the late fall me to have you call him up as soon crossed his vision a woman strolling subscription to two magazines throwed M£ CUTCHEON and early spring." as you revived. His words, not mine. slowly toward him through the intricate in. By gosh, thesfe book agents are "Why does he continue to live in Call up Mr. O'Dowd at Green Fancy. avenues of the wildwood. slick ones." this out-of-the-world spot? He is an Here's the number." "He's a shrewd-looking chap," commented old man, I take it, and ill." & The mellow voice of the Irishman CHAPTER VII. Barnes. "You wouldn't be wondering if you soon responded to Barnes' call. "Says he won't be satisfied till he's "GRAUSTARK," THE knew the man," said O'Dowd. "He is Author rf Spun-Gold Hair, Blue Eyes and Various made this section of the country the "I called you up to relieve your a scholar, a dreamer, a sufferer. He's "HOLLOWOF HER HAND,"THE Encounters. mind regarding the young woman who most cultured, refined spot in the United not a very old man at that. 'Not more She was quite unaware of his presence, States," said Jones dolefully. A PRINCE OF GRAUSTARKf tame last night," he said. "You observe "Excuse ETC. than sixty-five." and yet he was directly in her me. There goes the telephone. that I say 'came.' She's quite Xir, "He certainly has a fanciful streak path, though some distance away. Her Maybe its news from the sheriff." all right, safe and sound, and no cause in him, building a place like that," said head was bent her mien was thoughtful, for uneasiness. I thought you meant With the spasmodic tinkling of the Barnes, looking not at the house but her stride slow and aimless. that she was coming here as a guest, telephone bell the book agent arose into the thicket above. There was no She was slender, graceful and evidently and so I made the very natural mistake and made his way to the little office. SYNOPSIS. sign of the blue and white and the Samaritan. There wai" a" Lefghtened quite tall, although she seemed of saying she hadn't come at all, Barnes glanced over his shoulder a color in her cheeks. spun gold that still defied exclusion a pigmy among the towering giants at all. The young woman in question moment later and saw him studying CHAPTER I—Thomas K. Barnta, from his mind's eye. He had not recovered "Moreover, I shall be happy to increase wealthy New Torker, on a walking trip is Mrs. Van Dyke's maid. But, bless the register. The poise of his sleek through New England, la. caught In the amount of the loan sufficiently from the thrall into which the me soul, how was I to know she was head, however, suggested a listening •torm mllea from his destination. At a to cover your return at once vision of loveliness plunged him. He crossroads point he meets a girl In the even in existence, much less expected attitude. Putnam Jones, not four feet same plight. While they discuss the situation was still a trifle dazed and distraught. to New York, if you so desire—by by train or motor or Shanks' mare? away, was speaking into the telephone an automobile, sent to meet the train." Barnes smiled as he added the "Right you are," agreed O'Dowd grl, arrives and Barnes is given a lift to receiver. As the receiver was restored Well, she's here, so there's^he end of art's tavern, while the girl is taken last two words. "the queerest streak in the world. It's on to her destination, which .she tells our mystery." to its hook Barnes turned his notion of simplicity." "Extremely kind of you, my dear Barnes is a place called Green Fancy. Barnes was slow in replying. He again. Jones and the book agent were* "Green Fancy. Is that the name he Barnes," said the actor, running his was doubting hisown ears. It was not examining the register, their head* CHAPTER II—At the tavern Barnes gave the place or does it spring fingers through his hair. "Tour faith falls in with a stranded troupe of "barnstorming" almost meeting from opposite sides of conceivable that an ordinary—or even actors, headed by Lyndon from—" in me is most gratifying. I—I really the desk. Rushcroft, and becomes interested in an extraordinary—lady's maid could don't know what to say to you, sir." "'Twas christened by me own sister, them. have possessed the exquisite voice and The latter straightened up, stretched "May I inquire just how you expect Mr. Barnes, the first time she was manner of his chance acquaintance of CHAPTER TIT—As the storm grows, his arms, yawned, and announced in a to profit by this transaction, Mr. here, two years ago. I'll walk with Barnes finds himself worrying over the the day before, or the temerity to loud tone that he guessed he'd stop safety of the girl, traveling over the Barnes?" Miss Thackeray asked you to the fence beyond if you've no mountain roads at what he considers danferous order that sour-faced chauffeur about out and get a bit of fresh air steadily. before objections," said O'Dowd genially, and speed. He learns tnat Green turning in. as if— The chauffeur! 'ancy is something of a house of mystery. He started, catching her meaning. linked his arm through that of Barnes. Two mounted men leave the tavern "Any news?" inquired Barms, approaching "But I thought you said that Mr. "My dear Miss Thackeray," he exclaimed, The latter was at once subtly aware In a manner which arouses Barnes' curiosity. Curtis' chauffeur was moon-faced the%desk after the door had "this transaction is solely between of the fact that he was being deliberately and—" closed behind"the book agent. your father and me. I shall conducted from the grounds. CHAPTER IV—He meets "Miss Thackeray," leading lady of the stranded theatrical "It wasn't the sheriff," replied Jon^s have no other claim to press." "He is, bedad," broke in Mr. Moreover, he was now convinced that troupe, who is. acting as chambermaid. shortly, and immediately resumed his that," "I wish I could believe she O'Dowd, chuckling. "That's what deceived O'Dowd had been close upon his heels That night he id aroused by the interrupted discourse on books and bringing of a dying man to the tavern, said. me entirely, and no wonder. It from the instant he entered them. one of the two who had ridden away a book agents. Ten minutes elapsed before wasn't Peter at all, but the rapscallion There was something uncanny in the •hort time before. They tell of finding th* "You may believe it," he assured dead body of the other man. Both had the landlord's garrulity was her. washer who went after her. He was feeling that possessed him. Such espionage been shot checked by the sound of an automobile instructed to tell Peter to meet the as this signified something "It isn't the usual course," she said coming to a stop in front of the house. CHAPTER V—The wounded man, registered four o'clock train, and the blockhead deep and imperative in the presence quietly, and her face brightened. "You at the tavern as Andrew Paul, dies, Barnes turned expectantly toward the forgot to give the order. Bedad, what hot only of O'Dowd but the Jack-inthe-box are not like most men, Mr. Barnes." and Barnes is informed he must not leave Until after the Inquest. O'Dowd and De door. Almost immediately the car gardener a few minutes earlier. does he do but sneak out after her "My dear child," said Rushcroft, Soto, guests at Green Fancy, visit the started again, with a loud shifting of himself, scared out of his boots for tavern, apparently much mystified over "you must leave this matter, to our the affair. gears, and a moment later the door fear of what he was to get from Peter. His mind was still full of the lovely friend and me. I fancy I know an opened to admit, not a fresh arrival I had the whole story from Mrs. Van stranger about whom O'Dowd had so CHAPTER VI—Barnes advances Rushcroft honest man when I see him. My dear but the little book agent. money sufficient to release the company Dyke." manifestly lied over the telephone. fellow, fortune is but temporarily from its embarrassing position, "Party trying to make Hornville thereby becoming its official backer. He "I must ask you to apologize to the frowning upon me. In a few weeks "Well, I'm tremendously relieved," night," he announced casually. "Weil visits Green Fancy, and In the grounds I shall be on my feet again, zipping said Barnes slowly. young lady on whom I blundered a meets tils acquaintance of the night before, good night. See you in the morning.4 finding her a girl of surprising few moments ago, Mr. O'Dowd. She along on the crest of the wave. I dare "And so am I," said O'Dowd with, beauty. Barnes was not in a position tc Suddenly She Stopped and Looked Up. say I can return the money to you in conviction. "I have seen the heroine must have been startled. Pray con doubt the fellow's word, for the oat CHAPTER VII—She seems not to be a month or six weeks. If—" vey to her my solicitude and ex of our busted romance. She's a goodlooking that attended her stroll. Her hands unmistakably had gone on toward ttesirous of recognizing him, and turns "Oh, father!" cried Miss Thackeray. cuses." girl. I'm not surprised that away. 'O'Dowd appears and in apparently were thrust deep into the pocket of Hornville. He waited a few minutes friendly fashion escorts Barnes (who feels "We'll make it six months, and I'll she kept her veil down. If you were "Consider it done, my dear sir," said a white duck skirt. A glance revealed ne Is unwelcome) from the grounds. after the man disappeared up the narrow pay any rate of interest you desire. the Irishman. "Our most charming to leave it to me, though, I'd say white shoes and trim ankles in blue. airway, and then proceeded to Six per cent, eight per cent, ten per—" CHAPTER VIII—Miss Thackeray warns that it's a sin to carry discretion so and seductive guest," he went on She wore no hat. Her hair was like test his powers of divination. He was Barnes that a man stopping at the tavern, "Six per cent, sir, and we will make "Bedad, of the two of you, I'll stake far as all that. You see what I mean, ostensibly a book agent, had searched spun gold, thick, wavy and shimmering as sure as he could be sure of anything it a year from date." his baggage In his absence: O'Dowd don't you?" His rich laugh came over me head you were startled the most in the subdued light. that had not actually come to pass that comes to the tavern and with Barnes and "Agreed. Get up and for us, dance the wire. Coming suddenly upon such rare loveliness others goes over the scene of the previous Suddenly she stopped and looked up. In 3 short time the automobile would night's shooting. Barnes Is invited to "Perfectly. Thank you for letting is almost equivalent to being dinner at Green Fancy. Be had a full view of her face as she iKs the tavern, hu this time Dilly! We shall be in New York to struck by a bolt of lightning. More me know. My mind is at »vst. Coodby." from the direction of Hornville. morrow!" gazed about as if startled by some unexpected, CHAPTER IX—His acquaintance of the than one painter of portraits has said As he hung up the receiver he atorm is introduced as Miss Cameron Lighting a cigarette he strolled outside. even alarming sound. Foi a "You forget the dictatorial sherlii tnat she is the most beautiful woman The makeup of the house party, particularly said to himself, "You are a most affable, He had barely time to take a second or two he held his breath, Mr. Rushcroft," said Barnes. a man introduced to him as L,oeb,' in the world. Mayhap you have hear convincing chap, Mr. O'Dowd, and the number of menservants about the uosition at the darkened end ot the stunned by the amazing loveliness that "The varlet!" barked Mr. Rushcroft of her. She is Miss Cameron of New place, somewhat astonishes Barnes. but I don't believe a word you say. porch before tLe sounds of an approaching was revealed to him. Then she discovered It was arranged that Dillingford am Orleans, a friend of Mrs. Van Dyke. That woman is no lady's maid, and .CHAPTER X—Miss Cameron Informs machine came to his ears. A Bacon v:ere to go to Hornville in him standing there. We have quite an enchanting house nim she is a prisoner in the house, appealing you've known all the time that she second or two later the lights swung In a flash he realized that he was to him for aid and binding him hired motor that afternoon, secure tht party, Mr. Barnes, if you consider no was there." to secrecy. In conversation with the around the bend in the road a quarter judgment, pay the costs, and atten face to face with the stranger of the more than the feminine side of it. chauffeur who drives him back to the At four o'clock he set out alone for of a mile above Hart's Tavern, tavern. Barnes becomes convinced there to the removal of the personal belong day before. He took two or three impulsive By way, have you heard when the Is a conspiracy of moment hatching at a tramp up the mountain road in and down came the car at a high rate ings of the stranded quartette fron steps forward, his hand going Green Fancy. coroner is to hold his Inquests?" which the two men had been shot of speed. It dashed past the tavern the hotel to Hart's Tavern. Th( to his hat—and then halted. Evidently "Nothing Inite. He may wait a CHAPTER XI—At breakfast the supeS•ed down. His mind was quite clear. with a great roar and rattle and shot younger actors stoutly refused to ac his senses had deceived him. There week," said Barnes. book agent Introduces himself as Roon and Paul were not ordinary robbers. off into'the darkness beyond. As it rouse, a jrovernment secret agent, cept Barnes' offer to pay their boarc was no smile in her eyes—and yet he "I suppose you'll stick around until rouse tells Barnes he to there to watch They were, no doubt, honest rushed through the dim circle of light while at the Tavern. That, they de could have sworn that It was there an Party at Green Fancy, describing It's over," ventured O'Dowd. Barnes men. He would have said that they In front of the tavern Barnes succeeded them as refugees from a country overrun a clared, would be charity, and they pre Instant before. Instead there was thought he detected a slight harshness by the Germans. He asserts that "Miss in obtaining a brief but convincing were thieves bent on burglarizing ferred his friendship and his respec level stare. Cameron" Is a relative of the former ruler in his voice. Green Fancy were it not for the disclosures view of the car. That glance was of the devastated country and that she 01 to anything of that sort. Miss Thack "I am sorry If I startled—" he began. "I have quite made up my mind to "Loeb" have with them the crown Jewels, enough, however. He would have of Miss Thackeray and the eray, however, was to be immediately of enormous value, which Sprouse woulo stay until the mystery is entirely jf recover. been willing to go before a jury and very convincing proof that they were relieved of her position as chamber The figure of a man appeared as if cleared up," he said. "The case is so swear that it was the same car that not shot by the same man. maid. She was to become a paying discharged bodily from some magic CHAPTER XII—Barnes agrees to accompany interesting that I don't want to miss had deposited him at Hart's Tavern Sprouse on a nocturnal visit to guest. It was not beyond reason—indeed, tree-trunk, and stood directly in his shred of it." Green Fancy, Sprouse with the object ot the day before. it was quite probable—that they were securing the Jewels, and Barnes with the Rushcroft took the whole affair wltt path—a tall, rugged man in overalls "I don't blame ye," said O'Dowd hope ox rescuing vMlss Cameron." Having guessed correctly in the one trying to cross the border In that the most noteworthy complacency. was he, who held a spade in his hand heartily. "I'd like nothing better meself -instance he allowed himself another event their real operations would be seemed to regard it as his due, oi CHAPTER XIII—They enter the grounds and eyed him inimically. Without another than to mix up in it. The .next and even bolder guess—the little book safety, Sprouse overcoming two men confined to the Canadian side of the glance in his direction the first evidently on guard. Reaching the house, time you plan to pay us a visit, teh agent had either received a message line. He could not free himself of the Barnes sends up, by means of a fishing and more pleasing vision turned on phone in advance. I may be able to rod carried by Bprouse, a note to "Miss from or delivered oae to the occupant suspicion that Green Fancy possessed her heel and continued her stroll, Cameron," informing her of their intention persuade my host that you're a d* or driver of the car from Green Fancy. the key to the situation. Roon and his to enter the house. She tries to dissuade sauntering off to the right, her fair cent, law-abiding, educated gentleman them, but Sprouse climbs to her companion could not have had the head once more bent in study, her room and goes through It on a quest for and he'll consent to receive you at CHAPTER VIII. slightest interest in his movements up the crown Jewels and state papers. back eloquently indifferent to the gaze Green Fancy. Good day to ye," and to the Instant he encountered the that followed her. CHAPTER XIV—Barnes becomes uneasy he shook hands with the departing A Note, Some Fancies and an Expedition young woman at the crossroads. His at Sprouse's long absence and follow* "Who do you want to see?" inquired trespasser. him, climbing by means of the ivy in Quest of Facts. busy brain suddenly suffered the shock attached to the wall. While talking to the man with the spade. He started upstairs, his mind full of "Takin' a walk?" was the landlord's "Miss Cameron" a commotion in the of a distinct conclusion. Was she a Before Barnes could reply a hearty house warns them that Sprouse has been the events and conjectures of the day. greeting as Barnes mounted the tavern fellow conspirator? Was s^e the inside detected. Barnes, with Miss Cameron" voice accosted him from behind. He steps at dusk. As he entered the room his eyes fell clinging to him, makes his escape to the worker at Green Fancy in a welllaid whirled and saw O'Dowd approaching, ground. He loses his sense or location upon a white envelope at his feet. It "Going over the grounds of last plan to rifle the place? and they become lost, finally taking ref- not twenty yards away. The Irishman's bad been slipped under the door since S u*® a small shed. "Miss Cameron" night's affair," responded Barnes, Could it be possible that she was face was aglow with pleasure. explains how she was decoyed to the he left the room an hour before. pausing the confederate of these painstaking bouse, and was to be married against her "I knew I couldn't be mistaken In •Terse reminder from the prudent Mr. will to the man "Loeb," whom she reveals agents who lurked with sinister patience As he entered the door he was the shape of you," he cried, advancing as a prince of the house to which Jones! His bill for the day! He picked acutely aware of an intense stare leveled she belongs. They are surprised In the outside the very gates of the with outstretched hand. "You've got darkness by O'Dowd. It up, glanced at the Inscription, and place called Green Fancy? at him from behind by the landlord the breadth of a dockhand In your at once altered his opinion. His full of Hart's Tavern. Half way up His ramble carried him far beyond CHAPTER XV—O'Dowd demands the shoulders and the trlmness of a prize name was there in the handwriting Jewels, which he thinks the fugitives have the spot where Roon's body was found the stairway he stopped short and fighter in your waist." in their possession, not knowing of of a woman. For a moment he was with difficulty repressed the exclamation Sprouse's enterprise. Convinced neither and where young Conley had come They shook hands. "I fear I am puzzled then he thought of Miss "Miss Cameron" nor Barnes have them, upon the tethered horses. His eager, that rose to his lips. O'Dowd puts them on the right road to trespassing," said Barnes. His glance Thackeray. A note of thanks, no doubt, the tavern, where Barnes gives his companion curious gaze swept the forest to the He had recalled a significant incident went over his shoulder as he spoke. unpleasantly fulsome! Vaguely annoyed, into the care of Miss Thackeray. left of the road in search of Green of the night before. Almost immediately Next day O'Dowd tells Barnes Sprouse, The man with the spade had been swallowed he ripped open the envelope and whom he describes as an expert burglar, Fancy. Overcome by a rash, daring after the departure of Roon up by the earth! He could not got away with the treasure, after killing read: impulse, he climbed over the stake and Paul from the Tavern Putnam a guard in the house. O'Dowd and "Loeb" have vanished more quickly in any "In case I do not have the opportunity leave Green Fancy. and rider fence and sauntered among Jones had made his way to the telephone other way. Off among the trees were to speak with you tonight, this the big trees which so far had obscured behind the desk and had called CHAPTER XVI—Barnes tells "Miss intermittent flashes of blue and white. is to let you know that the little man Cameron" of Sprouse's treachery, and the house from view. The trees a number in a loud, brisk voice, but "I am quite sure you are," said she tells him the whole story o{ Greer who says he is a book agent was in grew very thickly on the slope, and the subsequent conversation was carried Fancy. The man known as-Loebis her O'Dowd promptly but without a trace your room for three-quarters of an cousin, and he inveigled her to the house they were unusually large. He progressed on in subdued tones, attended by of unfriendliness in his manner. "Bedad, with the object of possessing himself of hour while you were away this afternoon. deeper into the wood. At the haste and occasional furtive glances the Jewels, which were In her custody. loving him as I do, I can't help You'd better see if anything is end of what must have been a mile in the direction of the taproom. saying that Curtis is a bally old crank. missing. M. T." CHAPTER XVII—O'Dowd returns and he halted. There was no sign of habitation, Informs Barnes of the identity of "Miss Upon reaching his room Barnes permitted Mind ye, I'd say it to his face—I often He made a hasty but careful examination Cameron." 5»he is of royal blood, he asserts, no indication that man had the suppressed emotion to do, for the matter of that. Of course," Countess Therese Mara-Dafanda. of his effects. There was not I Rushcroft Took the Whole Affair With ever penetrated so far into the forest. escape his lips in the slfape of a soft he went on seriously, "he is a sick the slightest evidence that his pack -CHAPTER XVIII—Barnes visits Green the Most Noteworthy Complacency. As he was on the point of retracing whistle, which if it could have been man, poor devil. You see I've known Fancy to secure the wardrobe of the had been opened or even disturbed. If his steps toward the road his gaze countess. He meets Sprouse, who- tells translated'into words would have said: him for a dozen years and more, and the little book agent spent three-quarters more properly speaking as if he were him Loeb got away with the jewels after fell upon a huge moss-covered rock he likes me, though God knows why, "By Gad, why haven't I thought of It killing the guard and accusing Sprouse doing Barnes a great favor in allowing of ~n hour in the room he managed less than a hundred yards away. He of the murder and robbery unless it may be that I once did his before? He sent out the warning that him to lend money to a person of his most effectually to cover up all stared, and gradually it began to take Boon and Paul were on the way! And son a good turn in London." CHAPTER XIX—Barnes and the countess importance. traces of his visit. on angles and planes and recesses of leave Hart's tavern with th* actors, I'd like to bet my last dollar that "Sufficient excuse for reparation, I "A thought has just come to me, Barnes did not go to sleep until long and at Crowndale. where they are to the most astounding symmetry. Underbills should say," smiled Barnes. someone at Green Fancy had the other appear. Barnes again meets Sprouse. •••, my dear fellow," he remarked as they after midnight. He now regarded himself widening gaze, it was transformed end of the wire." ifewS? "I introduced the lad to me Only sister," arose from table. "With the proper as definitely committed to a combination CHAPTER XX—Sprouse tells Barnes into a substantial object of ip said O'Dowd, "and she kept him Mr. Rushcroft was giving Hamlet's Loeb Is In hiding in Crowndale with his kind of backing I could put over one of sinister and piquant enterprises, cubes and gables and—yes, windows. mistress, and promises to rob him of the happy for the next ten years. No address to the players, In the taproom of the most stupendous things the theater not the least of which was to jewels. He doeb so. delivering the treasure He was looking upon the strange doubt I also provided Mr. Curtis with when Barnes came downstairs to Barnes, as agreed, at the .same has known in fifty years. I don't know about the mysterious young home of the even stranger Mr. Curtis—Green w- 41me Informing him that he would take at nine o'clock. three grandchildren he. might never mind saying to you—although it's woman at Green Fancy. itf rom him If ba could, at the expiration Fancy. have had but for my graciousness." A small, dark man who sat alone at S&. of one week..—/--.4 rather sub rosa—that I have written a The next day he, with other lodgers Now he understood why it was A look of distress came into his merry play—a four-act drama that will pack a table in the corner caught Barnes' fR CHAPTER XXI—With the countess, in the Tavern, was put through an examination called Green Fancy. Its surroundings f"1 Barnes leaves Rushcroft and the rest and eyes. "By Jove, I'd like nothing better eye and smiled almost mournfully. the ~biggest house on Broadway to the by the police and county were no greener than itself it seemed hurries to New York. "There he leaves than to ask you in to have a dish roof for as many months as we'd care He was undoubtedly a stranger his the jewels in a place of safety and Introduces officials from St. Elizabeth, and notified to melt into the foliage, to become a the countess to his sister. of tea—it's teatime, I'm sure—but I'd action was meant to convey-to Barnes to stay. Perhaps you will allow me that, while he was not under suspicion Sprouse risks his life in-a daring effort part of the natural landscape. Mountain no more think of doing it than I'd consider the information that he too was from to talk it over with you a little later to obtain the treasure, and failing take? or surveillance, it would be necessary ivy literally enveloped it. Exposed his leave of Barnes in a characteristic cutting off me head. He doesn't a distant and sophisticated community on. You will be interested, I'm sure. for him to remain in the "bailiwick" manner. With little prospect of an early sections of the house were painted like strangers. He—" and that a bond of sympathy existed return to her home in Europe, the countess Egad, sir, I!ll read the play to yoti. until detectives, already on the green the doors were green the yields to Barnes' pleading and agrees between them. "My dear fellow, don't distress yourself," I'll—What ho, landlord. Have your to become his wife. 'eafyporches and. their columns, the (To be continued next week.)!^^^^ cried' Barnes heartily. "There ^Putnam. Jones spoke suddenly^ at SH Ssjfe ft