The Washington herald., 1908-05-16
CHAPTER VI.


As If in answer to his unspoken ques-
ton. the other man came over to him.
He stood in front of the young man,
bending forward over stout walking
stick. and spoke with q slight foreign ae-
cent. more Austrian than German; 1T is
not so easy to get. my friend-this death
yes? No?"
Dare looked up with naughty surprise.
1t was truly startling to be addressed on
the subject Of his inmost thoughts by a
stranger. an outsider. too. and a foreign
er. The undergrad. in him spoke up;
What cheekP'
"Cheekl Oh. yes-hal ha! I have not
tho introduction-the sacred English In
PRODUCTION! The pity! But I cure II. Per
NIT me-" He fumbled in his waistcoat
pocket and produced a card. The under
grad. spirit had exhausted itself in that
one expletlve. The broken man reached
out his hand for the card. with a dazed
gesture, and read aloud, Abdul Won Tar
senheim, occultist."
Dare gazed vaguely at the card. "Ab-
dul Won Tarsenheim," he muttered duly.
"occultist," he added. looking up at the
other man in a dazed sort of way. "of
course"
1T vas my name We are now intro
duced. May I sit?-yes?"
IF you want to" Fabian was still
looking at the card. as though for advice.
I was rather taken by surprise. you
know. Hope didn't say anything rude?''
Rude" laughed the other man. as he
seated himself on the bench. "Bus mol
the rudeness was mine. Without the in
PRODUCTION you must not speak-excepi
to the policeman. eh?"
I suppose" said Fabian, trying TO re-
call his thoughts from the back OF be-
yond. and beginning 10 study HIS strange
companion. I suppose you had a reason
for wishing to speak to me"
Reason? Oh, yes But learn my
English In America They have the say
ing there. Lies too short 20 beat about
the bush You understand American
Rather! There were two Rhodes schoi-
ars In my quad"
Good II may make the speaking
quicker. You wish to kill yourselves
You have not the means-no?'
The young man nodded.
Very well. then-I help you. II you
were rich You would Ike to live?"
''Yes-if I were rich"
ITO throw your two arms round the
wonderful young life. But to be the dog
in the gutter-from there to watch the
young life go by-no! Death In any form,
eh?"
Yes you're right: death in any form.
I've had all I can stand Of the gutter
But how? What do you suggest" He
looked questioningly at the other man
You smoke p saii Won Tarsenheim,
producing two long black cigars from his
vest pocket Good as the young man
took one mechanically. 1T helps one to
forget the gutter. the good smoke. A
man can see the stars through the good
smoke-yes."
Fabian Iii the cigar The whole situa-
tion began 10 appear thoroughly natural.
lie did not speak, so von Tarsenheim con-
tinued:
But how? That was what you ask
when I interrupt with the cigar. How
you get this death or this richness. my
friend? Well. ! tell you. / have need for
a very desperate mana man. in fact as
desperate as yourself a man who would
allow himself TO be killed If the expert
ment fail; 10 be made so rich that he can
throw his arms around the beautiful
young life If the experiment succeed"
I see" muTmured Dare. as the other
man paused, evidently expecting him tc
say something.
"Oh the English sang froid"' muttered
Won Tarsenheim, impatiently. i Offer
you the chance TO get one or other oi
your so great wishes. and you say. !
/ see
Il tell you what said Fabian, rousine
himself, you're a bit startling but you
get through talking. and then I'll talk