The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-10-08

Her eyes were bright. her face had Iouf
its satiricaI hardness
Maurice she said with direct Quiet.
I'VE have been working together for a
time that seems like years. In war.
when men fight together day after day
they must see each other in a new light;
n lot must show up, weakness and
strength In the last week I have seen
you through and through. have said
nothing. j have taken IL all in the days
work but far dowa inside my mind
have been shamed into admiration BIZ
your pluck-I, who never ADMIRE
Strobe touched her hand and laughed.
mo-" she said. mo. Maurice, that's
just what / won't have You think that
1 don't see, but / do: you think that I
have little courage OF my own, but
haven't, not a scrap. II haven't let the
fear that's making me frantic show
straight out, IL Is because 1 am held
back by you When lie awake at night
and think and think OF what MAJ have
happened-of the horrible thing one
dares not frame-what is IL that keeps
me from getting up and going right out
of the house? Nothing but the fact that
you. who are bearing so much more. are
bearing it SO we'll My dear boy. un-
derstand quite weIl-auite we'll" She
looked at him steadily. Don't shut me
out now, because things are getting too
hard
Strobe turned TO her for an instant,
then walked to the window. He stood
in silence for a while. then suddenly
he wheeled about
You are right" he said sharply.
You are quite right. I do feel driven
driven against a dead wall / soms<
g. -
can go on-how long can go on
"pon'ti" she said hastily These
things are best not put into words.
When you face a dead wall. turn and
try fresh road
He laughed again harshly. Show me
the road haven't tried?"
She moved toward him once more: in
her manner there was an underlying
excitement
Yes. Maurice. 1 will"
He glanced at her sharply. but she
went on without needing his regard
81 have my theory" she said about
this curfo shop and this deformed friend
of yours, and 1 want to put my theory
TO the test. You have interviewed him
nine times. and each time. as you ad-
nit, you have gained nothing. Let me
interview him once?" She paused. fin
gering her rings
Strobe was silent
Maurice. let me go there once: AL
along you have said. Leave everything
to me- and 1 have left everything 70
you. Day after day I've sat at home,
now 1 feel I've sat al home long
enough She looked I'D with eager
eyes. You are as straight as a die
yourself; we are all apt to take peoples
length by our own special measure"
There was query and suggestion in her
pause
Strobe moved impatiently. Look
here" he said. lit comes to this-I take
this beggar to be a liar or 1 take him
to be the reverse; till he is proved TO
be liar. 1 prefer to think him square
him SQUARE
MY dear Maurice. there isn't room
for truth and Jealousy in the same
house. you may take my word for
| that"
"Jealousy?" He stared. then laughed
impatiently Absurd he said once
more Il put him on his oath; you can't
get away from that An oath's an oath
any day t0 man like that"
Not when a woman IS in the scales.
and an oath car turn tt
STROBE turned back to the window.
Absurd; The mans honest. I'm GER
tain of it" He spoke decisively, over
decisively. it almost seemed
| His companion saw the point
Let me have one interview? One In
terview of half an hour2''
Where's the good?''
Size shrugge8 her shoulders. Isn't
that for me to arrange?"
| Strobe turned to her abruptly
.'W here's the good?' he said again.
You'll ask what 1 have asked: you'll
get the same answers, then you'll come
away" .t9
Pardon. Maurice, then I'll begin
He looked down. "You can't legally
search the house." he said
| She raised her eyes to his face. II
wasn't thinking OF searching the house.
know a fact concerning your friend
have known it for years. 1t struck
stale TO be used
Strobe stared at her. THAT affair II
the jewels?' he said You don't mean
that odd affair you told me OFF,
THAT is what / mean As a lever,
jewels are as good a weapon as any
other
/
he said You couldn't. after ali this
| time
II could do anything Maurice. and
something must be done. Can you guar
| antee TO find here" The question was
/ sharp
STROBE looked down again mo" he
said. very slowly mo, 1 suppose I
| can't"
His companions eyes flashed. Then
abdicate." she said. BE generous and
| abdicate-
He stood very still Give me one
F, other day?'' he said. at last It's a big
! thing to tell a man he's perjured him
/ self. Giye me one other day?,'
She glanced at him swiftly. You've
| thought OF another way" She said j
| see Il IN Your eyes
1 Nothing. just a chance-the shred
| of a chance"-he still locked on the
/ ground; still seemed harassed and per.
| turbed. He knows that 1 love Anna
| but I've never said straight out tina,
| Anna cares for me- | don't like ii bn,
\ It's a chance-admitting that what vor
think could possibly be true-it's Just :
| chance He raised his head.
And If your chance fails-?''
! Then l resign You can do what yor
1 he y ~