The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1906-02-22

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 yet been found out; at least
he ought to be, but he 50 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 ii they knew
Oh, it would be great simply great!
But, besides all that, when you were
caught there'd be a merciful and
dramatic end of you. You'll fill the
bill for few weeks and then snuff
out with a flourish of extra specials
You wouldn't rust With vile repose
for seven or fourteen years.
Good old Raiflcs." l chuckled. 81
begin to forgive you for being in bad
form ut dinner
But l was never more earnest in
my life
go on"
II mean it,"
you know very we'll 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
dlebag chair, watching me with keen
eyes sheathed by languid 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. /, who knew the man, read
murder in those hard blue eyes.
"Baird:" | faltered, moistening my
lips with my tongue.
"Of course"
"But you said it didn't matter about
the room in Chelsea?"
II told you lie''
Anyway, you gave him the slip aft
erward.''
'That was another. 1 didn't.
thought 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 word about
it!w
II 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 fine 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- He 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. then?"
Eyes, out Willesden way, and alone
The fellows miser, among other
things. l long ago found out all about
him.
Again l looked round the room. 1t
was a young mans club, and young
men were laughing, chatting, smoking,
drinking on every hand. One nodded
to me through the smoke. Like ma
chine nodded to him and turned back
to RatI1es with groan.
Surely you will give him chance!"
1 urged. THE very sight of your pistol
should bring him to terms"
ut wouldn't make him keep them"
"But you might try the effect"
81 probably shall. Here's drink
for you. Bunny. Wish me luck
'Im coming too"
81 don't want YOU"
'But / must Gomez
An ugly CLEAN shot from the steel
blue eyes.
go interfere%' said Raf1ies.
Not II
'You give me your word?"
81 do"
Bunny, if you break it,
'Iou may shoot me too"
81 most certainly should" said
Rattles solemnly. so you come at
your own peril, my dear man. But if
you arc 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. 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-
| date and less cold blooded way of
dealing with him might result from a
sudden encounter between the money
lender and myself. l would not warn
him Of his danger, but l would avert
tragedy at all costs, and when no such
encounter had taken place and Rafties
and were fairly on our way to Willes-
den that, think, was still my honest
resolve. l would not break my word
if could help it, but it was comfort
to feel that could break it If l liked,
on an understood penalty. Alas! L
fear my good intentions were tainted
with devouring curiosity and over
1 H..f