Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-09-16

| ne ought to be. but he so very seldom
has the soul TO appreciate himself.
Just think of it, Think of coming in
here and talking to the men, very
likely about the murder itself. and
knowing you've done it. and wonder
ing how they'd look if they knew.
oh, it would be great, simply great,
But, besides all that, when you We're
caught there'd be merciful and
dramatic end of you. You'll fill the
bill for a few weeks and then snuff
out with a flourish of extra specials.
I You wouldn't rust with a vile repose
for seven or fourteen years"
Good old Raffies" 1 chuckled. Al
begin to forgive you for being in bad
form at dinner"
But 1 was never more earnest in
my life
go onv'
Il mean it."
You know very well that you
wouldn't commit murder, whatever
else YOU might do"
Il know very well I'm going to com
nit one tonight
He had been leaning back in the sad
MINUS Nl4siiks Will
eyes shea thed by Ianguid lids. Now he
started forward, and his eyes leaped
to mine like cold steel from the scab-
bard. They struck home to my slow
wits. Their meaning was no longer in
doubt. i. who knew the man, read
murder in those hard blue eyes.
''Baird:" 1 faltered, moistening my
lips with my tongue.
"Of course
But you said it didn't matter about
the room i'll Chelsea:"
Il told you lie
Anyway, you gave him the slip aft
erward."
THAT was another. L didn't
thought 1 had when 1 came up to you
this evening, but when / looked out of
your window you remember? = to
make assurance doubly sure, there he
was on the opposite pavement down
below"
and you never said word about
itv'
81 wasn't going to spoil your dinner.
Bunny. and l wasn't going to let YOU
spoil mine. But there he was as large
as life, and. of course. he followed Us
to the Albany. A line game for him
to play, game after his mean old
heart - blackmail from me, brides
from the police. the one bidding against
the other. But he shan't play it with
me. lie shan't live to, and the world
will have an eXtortioner the less.
Waiter, two Scotch WHISTLES and So
das. I'm off at IL. Bunny. It's the
only thing to be DONE
You know where he lives. them"
Yes, out Willcsden way, and alone.
The fellows miser, among other
things. L long ago found out all about
him.
Again / looked round the room. 1t
was Il young mans club, and young
men We're laughing. chatting smoking,
drinking, on every hand. One nodded
to me through the smoke. Like ii ma
chine / nodded to him and turned back
to Rallies with groan.
Surely you will give him a chancew
1 urged. The very sight of your pistol
should bring him to terms"
1T wouldn't make him keep them"
But you might try the effect"
81 probably shall. Here's drink
for you, Bunny. Wish me luck"
I'm coming too"
81 don't want you"
"But l must Gomez
An ugly CLEAN shot from the steel
blue eyes.
ITO interfere?' said Rallies.
mot l."
You give me your word?'
81 do"
Bunny, if you break it,
"You may shoot me too
81 most certainly should" said
Raffies solemnly. so you come at
your own peril, my dear man. But if
you are coming-well, the sooner the
better, for l must stop at my rooms
on the way"
Five minutes later / was waiting for
him at the Piccadilly entrance to the
Albany. L had a reason for remaining
outside. 1t was the feeling-half hope.
half fear-that Angus Baird might still
be on our trail, that some more imme
diate and less cold blooded way of
dealing with him might result from Il
sudden encounter between the money
lender and myself. 1 would not warn
tragedy at all costs, and when no such
encounter had taken place and Raffies
and / were fairly on our way to Willes-
den that, think, was still my honest
resolve. / would not break my word
if / could help it, but it was comfort
TO feel that l could break it if | liked,
on an understood penalty. Alas, l
fear my good intentions were tainted
with a devouring curiosity and over
laid by the fascination which goes
hand in hand with horror.
L have poignant recollection of the
hour il took US 10 reach the house. We
walked across ST. James park IL can
see the lights now, bright on the bridge
asd blurred in the water, and We had
some minutes to wait for the last train
10 Willesden. 1t left at 11:21, ! re-