The Washington herald., 1911-01-01
CHAPTER XII.


ct wonder if it's a development OF this
devils bargain" he thought as he strode
down the avenue Then he half wished
he had ordered mis- horse to be saddled;
but no. that would have meant delay
and possibly the groom at the Hermitage
would have gone to bed, and his conver-
sation with Clifford might be lengthy.
Az he walked on, Paul wondered if this
sudden summons to the Hermitage had
anything to do with Mrs Shenstones
secret meeting with the man. who was
a stranger to him. Yet it did not seem
likely Mrs Shenstone had evidently
known something of Paul Jarret's fam
dIy, whereas Clifford knew nothing about
them On that point Paul was certain.
Impatience made him hasten, and 1t
| took him less time than usual to cover
the distance between Casuesteads and
the Hermitage
The door was opened by the butler, who
evidently expected him.
This way. sir" he said, when Paul
had declined to remove his overcoat
Mr. Clelland." announced the man.
and Paul entered the library. He had
unbuttoned his light cvercoat. and II
was thrown back revealing a quantity
of shirt front in which diamond studs
glittered. The well-cut clothes revealed
his fine figure, and he came forward
with his head thrown back like young
war horse who has scented the smell OF
battle. John Clifford marveled at the
wonderful change prosperity had wrought
in his appearance. Then, as he recalled
the man he had brought back from the
verge of death he realized that even
then he haG been a striking looking man.
one who could easily have passed as an
aristocrat come to grief Yet he had
only been a city clerk and for the hun
dredth time Clifford asked himself who
had been this mans father.
II should have be IN here earlier. but L
was at the Hail when your note came,
and Evans didn't see it until he expected
me home, or he would have sent groom
with it, said Paul. standing by the Ia
BILE and looking down at Clifford. who
was seated at the other side
II allowed for the possibility-nay,
should say orobablity-that you would
be at the Hall. so l did not expect you
until late Won't you sit down. and he
indicated a chair by the fire, and as Paul
seated himself he turned to face him
II told you it was urgent / should see
sou 1t is ABOUT our compact l have
something for you to do.
PaurS face became grim.
What is it, he asked
Clifford looked full at him.
"At Easter Judge Shenstone will be at
home, and you will shoot him. he said,
. bending forward and speaking in low
tone
paul regarded him with horror. At
frst he thought Clifford must have gone
mad, but the longer he looked the more
certain he became that his companion
was sane and terribly in earnest
'I won't DO it. Man. you cannot mean
it. knowing that 1 am engaged to his
chiIdr"
That engagement was part of my
! scheme You bound yourself to do my
will: YOU have been we'll paid and now
REQUIRE you to do the work for which
you have received payment in advance
Paul rose to his feet
ASK me anything but this I cannot
do it. 1 would rather take my own lie
he said, in hoarse. strained tone.
!. Listen! l require you to shoot Judge
Shenstone. You are a good shot. Ht
will not suffer. but he will die
II tell YOU I won't do it. I'll put a
bullet in nv own brain first" interrupted
Paul.
IF you did. it wouldn't save Judge
Shenstone, and after he had been shot,
which would happen before your death
of that I should take care-whether yot
committed suicide or not / should pu
I'm your conf .ssion. and the girl you love
would regard YOU as murderer and sui
eide"
..You are the devil exclaimed Paul
Leave me out of the question. 1ot
are bound to ne, sworn TO DO my Will
If YOU keep your bargain no one will
know that it was you who killed th'
Judge. 1 shall plan it skillfully. and th'
girl will never dream of associating he
fathers murder with you.
DO YOU think l could mary her will
her fathers blood on my hands? Pau
demanded.
.I don't know; but if you refuse 10 az
my bidding she Will never be your wife
Judge Shenstone will die and the proc
that YOU killed him. apart from YOU
own confession. shall be ample. Wha
will Margaret ShenStone think of yo'
them
II will expose the whole thing. I vii
warn the judge and tell hi", how yol
60. me N your power. l W let ever!
one know that / am really rau. Jarret
And will swear that you are out o
your mind I will bring proof that yo'
are Paul Clelland, the son of my OLE
friend. and rs n punishment for breakin:
your bond You shall spend the rest o
l. your life in an asylum. No doubt
NWould end in your becoming a violen
,unatic One word more. 1 have a bit
ter wrong to avenge. and nothing tha
you can say will change my plains. Onl!
II YOU fail me ii will mean for you dealt
by the hangman spending your lif
In q lunatic asylum. If you fulfill on
bargain you will never be suspected. ant
you will have all you now have and eveI
greater riches Take your choice
II will not commit murder. / woul'
sooner die on the gallows. or go int
an asylum, than be guilty of such
thing" replied Paul in resolute tohs
clifford smiled grimly.
THE night We made the bargain
against which you now rebel. you aske
me IL murder was included in the com
pact told you that it was scale
programme. and you accepted my terms
knowing It might mean that you ha,
70 kill man. Prosperity has develope
scruples that you didn't feel then"
Paurs face became scarlet.
"You do well to taunt me with tn
weakness of which you took advantagt
Man, you know ! was half starved an
1t war with the world when you gave m
glimpse Of what warmth, food. and lys
ury meant I have been worse tina
Esnn. He sold his birthright for q mes
Of eottage: I've sold my soul for II. D
you think I've ever felt the same ma
since that infamous bargain was made?
Il think you've contrivezl to be tolel
ably happy since you became engaged"
x s'Yes; X isn't In the nature Of a man I
& - lcsS than happy IN her society. an
rye trted 10 forgct that ! was yot