Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-11-02
CHAPTER. XV-Continued.

| She nodded and stole out. closing the
| door behind her noiselessly. Laverick
| watched her from the window until she
| was out of sight. moving without any APP
pearance of haste, yet with an incredible
| swiftness When she had turned the cor
ner he went slowly upstairs and into the
room where Morrison still lay asleep. He
| drew a chair to the bedside and leaning
| forward opened out the evening paper
| The events of the last hour or so had
| completely blotted out from his mind, for
| the time being, his own expedition into
| the world of tragfcal happenings, ne
| glanced at the sleeping man, then opened
| his paper. There was very little fresh
| news, except that this time the fact was
mentioned that upon the body or the
murdered man was discovered sum
| larger than was at first supposed. II
seemed doubtful, therefore. whether rob
berry. after all. was the motive or the
crime. especiallr as it took place in
neighborhood which was by no means IN
tested with criminals There was sue-
gestion of political motive. reference 10
the BLACK Hand concerning whose do
ings the papers had been full since the
murder OF well known detective lie"
weeks ago. But apart from this tnere
was nothing fresh
I.averick folded UP the paper and leaned
back in his chair. The strain of the last
twenty-four hours was beginning to tell
even upon his robust constitution Inc
atmosphere Of the room, too, was close
He leaned back in his chair and was
suddenly weary. Perhaps he dozed. Az
any rate, the whisper which called MIN
back to realization of where he was, came
to him so unexpectedly that he sat up
with a sudden start.
Morrison's eyes were open. he had raised
himself on his elbow. his lips were parted
His manner was anieter. but there were
black lines deep engraven under his eyes.
in which there still shone something OF
that haunting fear.
"I.averick!' he repeated. hoarsely.
LaveriGk fully awakened now. leaned
toward him.
"Hullo.' he said, are you feeling more
like Yourself?
Morrison nodded.
Yes he admitted, 4 am feeling
better How did YOU come here? | can't
remember anything.
You sent for me-. Laverick answered.
Il arrived to find you pretty well in
state Of collapse. Your sister has gone
round TO the theater to ask them to eX-
cuse her this evening.
II remember now that ! sent Tor YOU
Morrison continued. Tell me. has any
one been around at the Office asking after
me-"
NO one particular Laverick answered:
mo one at all that l can think of. There
were one or two inquiries through the
telephone. but they were all Ordinary
business matters
The man on the bed drew a little breath
which sounded like a sigh Of relief;
II have made a fool of myself, LAYER
ick.'' he said, hoarsely.
You are making a worse one OF your
self by lying here and giving way, Law
erick declared, besides frightening your
sister half to death.
Morrison passed his hand across MS
forehead.
I'VE talked-some time ago he went
on, about my getting away. You prom
ised that you would help me. You said
that I could get off to Africa or America
tomorrow.
Not the slightest difficulty about that
Laverick answered. There are half
dozen steamers sailing. at least. At the
same time. ] suppose ought to remind
you that the firm is going to pull through
Mind-don't take this unkindly. but the
truth is best--I will not have you back
again. There may have to be more
definite REIMBURSEMENT of our affairs now,
but the old business is finished with
Il don't want to come back. Morrison
murmured. Il have had enough of the
city for the rest of my life. I'd rather
get away somewhere and make a fresh
start. You'll help me, Laverick., won't
Sc aIa. vii, holm Won ;. ,aver,ck prom
Used.
.'You We're always good Sort Morri-
son continued: much too good for me.
1t was a rotten partnership for you. We
could never nave puileu together.
Let that CO. Laverick interrupted. III
YOU really mean getting away, that sim
plifies matters of course. Have you made
any plans at all? Where do you want to
go?'
New York would suit me best. There is
money to be made there if one has some
thing to make start with"
There will be some more money to
come TO YOU Iayerick answered. ''proha-
al 1nn1
affairs in the hands of an accountant and
shall have an estimate drawn UP to Yes
terday. You shall have every penny that
is due to YOU You have quite enough.
however. to get there with. l will see
to your ticket tonight. il possible. When
you've arrived you can cable me your
address. or you can decide where YOU will
stay before you leave. and l will send
you further remittance.
You're a good sort Laverick. Morri-
son mumbled-
you'd better give me the key of your
rooms LavericlS continued. and | will
go back and put together some of your
things. I suppose you will not want much
to go away with The rest can be sent on
afterward. And what about. your let
ters?r
Morrison. with sudden movement.
threw himself almost out of the bed. He
clutched at Lavericks shoulder fran
tically.
Don't go near my rooms. Laverick."
he begged. Promise me that YOU won't.
don't want any letters. / doG't want
any of my things!
Laverick was dumfounded.
You mean you want to go away with
out
II mean just what / have said Nor
rison continued. Historically. IF You go
there they will watch you. they will fol-
low you, they will find out where | am.
should be there now but for that
Laverick was silent for moment The
matter was becoming serious.
Very WE'LL" he said. Il will do as you
say. ! will not go near your rooms. l
will get you few things somewhere to
start with"
Morrison sank back upon his pillow.
Thank you. Laverick.'' he said; thank
you. I wiSh-I wish
His voice seemed to die away. Laverick
glanced toward him, wondering at the
unfinished sentence. Once again the
mans face seemed to be convulsed with
horror He flung himself face downward
upon the bed and tore at the sheets with
both mis- hands.
Don't be a fool. Layerick said, STERN
ly IF you've anything on your mind
apart from business. tell me about ii and
III do what l can to help YOU.
Morrison made no reply. He was sob
bling row like child. Laverick rose to
his feet and went to the window. What
was to be done with such a creature.
When he got back Morrison had raised
himself once more into sitting posture.
.'Laverick," he said. feebly. there is
some thing else, but ! cannot tell you'll
cannot tell any ore.
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