Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-03
III.-Continued.


his place on the opposition benches during
the haf-hour Of wintry twilight that pre-
cedes the turning-on of the lights. He real
lied 1t in that half-hour, but the applca-
ton OF the knowledge followed later. when
the time came for him to question the gov
eminent on some point relating to q
proposed additional drydock at Talkley. the
naval base. Then for the first time he knew
that the sufferings of the past months could
have visible as well as hidden side
could disorganize his daily routine as they
had already demoralized his will and
character
The thing came upon him with extra
ordinary lack of preparation. He sat
through the twilight with tolerable calm,
his nervousness showing only in the oc-
casional lifting of his hand, to his collar
and the frequent changing OF his position
but when the lights were turned on and
he leaned back in his seat with closed
eyes, he became conscious of a curious
impression disturbing idea that
through his closed lids he could see the
faces on the opposite side of the House,
see the rows of eyes, sleepy interested or
vigilant. Never before had the sensation
presented itself, but once set up 1t ran
through all his susceptibilities BY an
absurd freak of fancy those varying eyes
seemed to pierce through his lids, almost
through his eyeballs. The cold perspira-
ton that was his daily horror broke out
on his forehead; and at the same moment
Fraide, his leader, turned, leaned over the
back of his seat and touched his knee.
Chilcote started and opened his eyes.
Il believe l was DOING" he said. con-
fusedly.
Fraide smiled his dry, kindly smile "a
fatal admission for member of the OPP
position he said. But 1 was looking for
you earlier in the day, Chilcote. There Is
something behind this Persian affair. 1 be-
love TO ha frct ia q
part. You big trading people will find 1t
worth watching"
Chilcote shrugged his shoulders. ooh,
don't know, he said. Il scarcely believe
in it. Lakely put match to the powder
in the st. Georges, but twill only be a.
noise and a puff of smoke"
But Fraide did not smile. What Is the
feeling down at Wark?" he asked. Has
1t awakened any INTEREST,""
AT Wark? Oh, II don't quite know.
have been a little out of touch with Wark
in the last few weeks. man has SO
many private affairs to look to" He was
uneasy under his chiefs scrutiny.
Fraide's lips parted as If to make reply,
but with certain dignified reticence he
closed them again and turned away.
Chilcote leaned back In his place and
furtively passed his hand over his fore
head. His mind possessed by one
consideration-the consideration of himself.
He glanced down the crowded. lighted
House to the big glass doors; he glanced
ABOUT MN at ms cOiiedSueS, lnQlnerent
or interested; then surreptitously his fingers
strayed to his waistcoat pocket.
Usually he carried his morphia tab
loids with him, but today by lapse Of
memory he had left them at home. He
knew this nevertheless he continued to
search, while the need of the drug rushed
through him with a sense Of physical sick
ness. He lost hold on the business of the
House; unconsciously he half rose from
his seat.
The man next him looked up Hold
your ground, Chilcote," he said. "Rayforth
is drying up
With wave of relief Chilzote dropped
back into his place. Whatever the con-
fusion in his mind, it was evidently not
obvious in his face.
Rayforth resumed his seat, there was the
usual slight stir and pause, then Saett,
the member for Salchester, rose.
With Saletts first words Chilcote's hand
again sought his pocket and again his
eyes strayed toward the doors, but Fraide's
erect head and stiff back just in front of
him held him quiet. With an effort he pull
ed out his notes and smoothed them nerv-
ously; but though his gaze was fixed on the
pages, not a line of Blessington's clear
writing reached his mind He glanced at
the face of the speaker, then at the faces
on the treasury bench, then once more he
leaned back In his seat.
The man beside him saw the movement
"Funking the dry dock?" he whispered
jestingly.
but / feel beastly-have felt beastly for
weeks"
The other looked at him more closely.
Anything wrong?" he asked. It was a
novel experience to be confided In by Chill
cote.
oh it's the grind-the Internal grind"
AS he said it, IT seemed to him suddenly
that his strength gave way. He forgot his
companion, his position, everything except
the urgent instinct that filed mind and
body. Scarcely knowing what he did, he
rose and leaned forward to whisper in
Fraide's
Fraide was seen to turn. his thin face
interested and concerned. then he was seen
to nod once or twice in acquiescence, and
a moment later Chilcote stepped quietly
out of his place
One or two men spoke to him he hur-
ried from the house. but he shook them
off almost uncivlly, and, making for the
nearest exit, hailed cab.
The drive to Grosvenor Square was a
misery. Time after time he changed from
one corner of the cab to the other. his
acute internal pains prolonged by every de-
lay and increased by every motion. At
last weak in all hfs limbs, he stepped from
the vehicle at his own door.
Entering the house, he instantly mount
ed the sairs and passed to his own rooms.
Opening the bed room door, he peered in
cautiously, then pushed the door wide. The
light had been switched on but the room
was empty. With a nervous excitement
scarcely TO be kept in check, he entered,
shut and locked the door, then moved to
the wardrobe, and. opening II, drew the
tube of tabloids from the shelf.
His hand shook violently as he carried
the tube to the table. The strain of the
day the anxiety of the past hours. with
their final failure, had found sudden ex-
preston Mixing a larger dose than any
| he had before allowed himself he swal-
| lowed II hastily. and, walking across the
| room, threw himself, fully dressed, upon
| the bed.
To those whose sphere lies in the west
| of London Fleet street is little more than q
name and Clifford Inn mere dead letter.
Yet Cqinord's Inn lies as safely slowed
| away in the shadow of the law courts as
| any grave under a country church wall
/ II Is as green OF grass. as gray of stone,
| as irresponsible to the passing footstep.
Facing the railed-in grass plot of its lit
| tie court stood the house In which Jonr
| I.oder had his rooms. Taken at first
| glance the house had the deserted air of m
| office inhabited only in the early hours, but
| as night fell lights would be seen to show
| out. FIRST or one floor, then on another
| faint human beacons unconsciously sig
| mailing each other. The rooms Loder IN
| habited were On the highest floor, and
! from their windows one might gaze philo-
| sophically on the tree tops, forgetting the
! ureven pavement and the worn railing
| that hemmed them around In the landing
outside the rooms his name appeared above
/ his door but the paint had been soiled by