The Washington herald., 1912-05-19
CHAPTER z.
At the Theater.

ing quotations, receiving offers. Tn
telephone was reconnected, and ram
out its impatient summons every few
seconds. He signed half a dozel
drafts, deputed an understudy to re
ceive some of his visitors who wer,
weary of waiting, and dictated severa
important letters. When once more TIL
pressure had sbated, and the telephon'
had ceased to ring, he leaned back il
his chair with little exclamation o.
relief The visit of Rowan's sister, snC
her passionate appeal, had unnerveC
him for moment. He found himself
trying to recall her last words, even a
the moment when he realized that She
was still in the room, sitting at a dis.
tant corner.
Miss Rowan he exclaimed. why
] thought that you had leftP'
Il went as far as the outer Office" she
said spologetically, and then / slipped
back again. You were so busy that ]
did not like to interrupt"
Deane rose to his feet-he was a lit
tie crsmped from long sitting. He low
cred the blind and turned on the cleo
trio light, walking around the room,
and casually touching the door to see
that it was closely shut: Then he came
back to his place, and leaned over once
more toward the girl. why have you
come back?" he asked.
"a. ITO ask you a question" she an
swered.
'Well?"
Basil went on your behalf to see this
man, Sinclair" she said He had a
commission from you, had he not, and
he faiIed?"
= "YsP' Deane said. He failed"
st was to make an offer for some
document, was it not?"
Deane nodded. yes" he said TT
was"
''You are doing your best for BASIL"
she said, her voice trembling a little
you paid for his defense, l know. You
have promised that you will do all that
you can, even now. I thought, per-
haps, might be able to do something
in return. Why couldn't get this
paper for your"
He looked at her steadily for several
moments You could" he answered,
IF you had the pluck"
Tell me how% she asked.
you are his sister," he said. "Pre-
sumably you are interested in his de-
tense. The details of the struggle be-
tween those two are, of course, i'm
portant. 1t makes all the difference
between manslaughter and murder if a
weight, for instance, be held in the
hand or thrown. You know the law
gers who defended hin?"
"Of course" she answered. GO on"
If they apply to the proper authori-
ties" he continued, they can obtain
an order to re-examine the apartments
in the Universal Hotel in which the
struggle took place. No doubt you also
could find your way there. Supposing
! tell you the truth. Supposing l ad-
init that your brother did take upon
himself a desperate enterprise, and
that that enterprise was to recover from
this man Sinclair, by purchase or guile,
or any means which suggested them
selves to him, the pocketbook of which
you have brought me news. Remem-
Der Commit myself to nothing. I
make no definite statement. / simply
tell you that it may have been so"
1t was" she said firmly. you and
] know that Well?"
You are his sister," Deane said,
'and you have exceptional facilities. II
you could gain possession of that peck
etbook, you would be doing me a ser
Hee which l should find it hard indeed
to repay"
She rose to her feet "Vey we'll"
she said, 1T shall be done l promise
you that it shall be done"
For the first time, when he saw her
standing up, and realized how frail
creature she really way, a wave of pity
swept away his own predominant sense
of self-interest
But you are not strong enough for
such work as this" he declared. Bet
ter let things drift. l can take care
of myself"
She shook her head. 81 have made
up my mind" she said. Il am going /,
to make my effort, whatever happens"
You will remember" he said, that |
my name must never pass your lips. |
No, don't look at me like that" he add |
ed quickly. Don't think of me as a |
coward, or an utterly selfish person |
am here for what / represent. Wei |
fare in this concern or business under
taking-cal It what you hke-doesn't |
mean only ruin or wealth for me. There
are hundreds of us, hundreds who are
dependent upon the reins l hold. 1t
isn't for myself so much that / care.
Try and believe that, will your"
She looked into his eyes. Il will"
she murmured. Il will believe every-
thing, but you must save Basil"
Whether you bring me the pocket
book or not" he answered, Il shall |
do all that man can do for
him."
For the rest of the day, Stirling
Deane was his normal self. He trans
acted business with his usual scumen,
He received his callers, and went
through the ordinary routine of his |
position, with no indication of any men,
tai disturbance. He had, indeed, little
time to spare for thought At $50
ne was whirled away westward in his
electric brougham, changed his clothes,
dined hurriedly in his room, and at a
quarter to nine was in the stalls of the
St James Theater, sitting between
LADY Olive and her mother The me
;hanical part of the days arrangements
le had found IT easy enough to carry
out, but to keep his thoughts engrossed
Ipon his surroundings was a sheer i'm
possibility. he was not even conscious
when the curtain went down, until he
iound. Lady Olives eyes fixed curiously
Ipon him.
: Stirling" she said. a don't think I