Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1909-10-23


scene here"
Hawcastle smiled evilly.
II see no reason for 1t. We're here
knows where he stands. and he knows
where we stand" said the earl suave-
ly. and the American met his smile
evenly.
81 reckon you're right so far" he
said
"And your answer will be yesy"
asked the earl, but Pike shook his
head.
You're wrong there" he answered,
and Hawcastle changed front In an
instant.
Perhaps you are right, Mr.. 4, Gran
ger-Simpson," he said. "There may
be painful things done. Better your
sister were spared them. Take her
away"
Pike snapped at them all and moved
to the door, where he faced them.
miss Ethel, you'll stay right where
you arer' he commanded. and, paying
no attention, Pike turned to Hawcas-
tie.
You're here for an answer. you
sayT
Eyes," answered the earl, after an
instant's pause. and Dan went closer
to him.
"An answer to whatT he demanded,
looking the other in the eye.
"An answer to our request that you
accede to the wishes of this young
lady" replied the earl uneasily.
"And If don't what are you going
to dor demanded Pike quickly. Hor-
ace at once broke in.
"Ethel. you must gow he implored.
But Pike waved him to silence.
'Teli her. Why do you come here
sure of the answer you wantT he in
sisted savagely.
"a gentleman would spare her
that" said Hawcastle, with uneasi-
ness, and the American laughed.
81 won'tv' he snapped. Speak out!
Why?" But the earl would not an
swer directly, so Pike turned to Ethel.
'"This afternoon l tried to help a
poor devil. broken down Russian
running away from Siberia. where
he'd been for nine years"
Ethel half rose in her chair and
faced him eagerly.
"a poor, weak thing" he went on,
"hounded like you've seen rat In the
gutter by dogs and bootblacks. Some
of your friends here saw us bring him
into this apartment. They know we've
got him here now. If l don't agree to
hand over you and $750.O00 of the
money John Simpson made 1t means
that the man l tried to help goes back
to Siberia and l go to an Italian jail
for two years or as much more as they
can make It."
Nonsense" cried Hawcastle. But
Ethel waved him aside and turned,
with whitening look on Pike.
II knew you had some further hui
initiation in store for me. Do you
think l would believe that an English
nobleman would stoop"-
Pike interrupted her ruthlessly and
bitterly.
"Stoop?" he cried. why. ten years
ago in St Petersburg there was poor
devil Of revolutionist who in his
crazy patriotism took government mon
ey for the cause he believed in. He
made the mistake Of keeping that
money In the house, when this man.
he pointed to Hawcastle-"knew 1t was
there. He also made the mistake of
having wife this man coveted and
stole. us he coveted and stole the mon
ey. oh, he made good job of IT.!
Don't think that tonight Is the first
time he has given information to the
police. He did it then. and the hus-
band went to Siberia"-
Hawcastle was the picture of amaze
ment and horror as he staggered up.
"a dastardly slander!' he cried.
"And he'll do 1t again tonightr' Pike
went on. II go to an Italian jail"-he
whirled and pointed an accusing finger
at Nine de Cha mpigny-"and that
same poor devil of husband goes
back to Siberian
'1ts-it's a CHASTITY lier' croaked
Hawcastle. his face livid.
you came for your answer" went
at. 20 Nd hu ixyt,,