The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-04

Rot
 "A matter of opinion, my dear Bun- ny; l don't mean it for rot. I've told you before that the biggest man alive is the man who's committed a murder and not vet been found out; at least he out to be, but he so very seldom has the soul to appreciate himself. Just think of 1t! Think of coming in here and talking to the men, very likely about the murder itself, and knowing you've done il, and wondering haw they'd look if they knew, Oh, it would be great, simply great But, besides all that, when you were caught there be a merciful and dramatic end of you. You'd fil the bill for a few weeks and then snuff out with q flourish of eX- tra specials: you wouldn't rust with a vile repose for seven or fourteen years.'
 Good old Rafflesi9 I checked q begin to forgive you for being in bad form at dinner
 But l was never more earnest in my life
 'Go onl"
 q mean it."
 You know very well that you wouldn't commit a murder, whatever else you might do.
 q know very well I'm going to commit one tonightt'
 He had been leaning back in the saddebag chair, watching me with keen eyes sheathed by languid lids; now he started forward and his eyes leapt to mine like cold steel from the scabbard They struck home to my slow wits: their meaning was no long CT in doubk l. who knew the man, read murder in his clenched hands, and murder in his locked lips, but a hundred murders in those hard blue eyes.
 "Baird?r I faitered. moistening my lips with my tongue.
 "Of eourse.n
 But you said it didn't matter about the room in Chelsea? s-. .--..-s q told a lie.'
 ANYWAY, you gave him the slip af- terward"
 ~rhat was another. didn't. I thought l had when l came up to you this evening; but when l 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 a word about it."
 'I wasn't going to spoil your din ner. Bunny. and | wasn't going to let you spoil mine. But there he was as large as life, and, of course, he fol- lowed us to the Albany. A fine game for him to play, game after his mean old heart; blaclSmail from me, bribes from the police, the one bid ding against the other; but he shant play it with me. she shan't live to. and the world will have an extortion- CT the less. Waiterl Two Scotch whiskies and sodas. I'm off at Il, Bunny; it's the only thing to be done.'
 You know where he lives then?' eyes, out Willesden way. and alone; the fellows a miser among other things l long ago found out all about him
 Again looked around the room; it was a young mans club, and young men were laughing, chatting. smok- ing. drinking. on every hand. One nodded to me through the smoke. Like machine I nodded to him, and turned back to Rallies with groan Surely you will give him a chancel" I urged. 1.-The very slSht or your pistol should bring him to terms''
 "It won't make him keep them" .Rut you might try the effect2'
 q probably shall Here's drink for you, Bunny. Wish me luck.
 I'm coming, too.'
 'I don't want you"
 But I must comen
 An ugly gleam shot from the steel blue eyes.
 ITO interfere?" said Rallies.
 Not l.
 You give me your word?"
 ''I do.''
 Bunny. if you break it'-
 ''You may shoot me. too''