Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-02-07
CHAPTER VI-Continued.

His face went white at the insult. With
below of rage he rushed at me along
the edge of the grave. But I was wait
ing for the unconventional unguarded
movement which was my salvation, and
as he came within striking distance,
thrust the revolver upward into his face
He jerked back suddenly.
Hands up 1 commanded. Wen see
how you like the game
He obeyed me .grudginsly. ut isn't
wasn't loaded. But Miss Hayward
happened to remember it. You were p es-
ent believe, when she sent me her little
gift through Pierre"
Something like a curse escaped from,
him, but, to my relief. he accepted the lie
without suspicion. He scowled down al
me: What are you going to dor
The question was more pertinent than
even he imagined. Although / had the
upper hand, it was he who held the only
dangerous weapon.
''Find out what you've got against me-
I parleyed, and why you're hunting me
down like this
'You know too much for one thing
rs that ALP
NO. there's Sylvia
Would it aid your cause to add another
murder to your list?''
Perhaps Motif she knew it was MUIR
der But suicide now, or fall over
with knife wound in me-
The knife wound could easily be
marred by a convenient rock
I pondered for moment III let you
go Will YOU promise not to attack me?"
Perhaps you don't realize that your
life is in my hands"
Il don't he asserted. land II it were
you wouldn't dare to take it,
"yo,, p.ra III. ra,.o ~, ,-o,, I,;oted
that ! wouldn't take yours
He was trying my own ruse, but re-
fused to get angry. I'm no murderer
l admitted; but in fair flght-
Fair fight he sneered, when you've
got me covered?'
'.oh. Is that it? Well. drop your
knife and I'll drop my gun
1t was bold move, but was growing
desperate. With my cramped limbs acf-
Ing in every joint. would have welcomed
a hand-to-hand tussle with delight. He
saw the anxiety in my face and smiled
sarcastically.
"rll agree" he said, III you'll drop
your gun first
Hardly"
VERY WE'LL
shoulder.
And none of that either" cried Pm
afraid you'll have to drop that knife
now
ana III 0On L..
You take the consequences
"All right" he laughed. Fire away"
l started forward. 4 CLEAN Of silver
darted from his hand. and the broad knife
buried itself in the earth at my back. AS
lodged to one side my finger involun-
tarily pressed the trigger. A look OF sur
prise overspread his face. He had heard
the empty click.
so 1t wasn't loaded after ALL" he ex.
claimed. You damned liar, I've called
your bluff.
He made as though he would spring at
me. reached over swiftly and dragged
the heavy blade out by the hilt.
You'd better keep your distance, l ad-
vised him. Don't forget I've got the
knife"
His eyes narrowed with bafiled anger,
but he took my suggestion and halted on
the brink of the grave. I shifted to an
easier position. and for a long moment
we confronted each other our glances
clashing in their guarded watch. Except
for the low rustic of the wind In the
grasses. and the steady beat Of the
waves on the cliffs behind me, the silence
was absolute. We both might have been
carved in stone.
And then from the distant seas there
came strange interruption-the long
drawn wall OF q siren, followed by
binding light. The sudden fare pouring
into the darkness brought me upright
with a shiver. I caught q glimpse OF the
mans clear-cut outline looming hofofo
me--of the shadow Of my head, q black