Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1912-02-15
CHAPTER lI.-(continued.)

The man looked up and nodded.
We'll it's too late now. That's done
for good and all. We needn't quarrel
about II.
He went back to his seat
Good Lord, how long they are"
lie began to talk, to maunder 70
himself Of what might have been and
what had been. speaking of his aims,
ambitions, achievements in an oddly
detached way as he might have re-
viewed another's life, only emotional
when forced TO realization of the fact
that this was the end of it all The
phrase, This ends it," punctuated
the semi-confessional soliloquy mo-
notonously. repeated over and over
with the same falling infection. Coast
detected not a word. not even note
of regret for his crime. save inasfar
as it affected Blackstock's fortunes
blasted them.
A shrill clamor of the telephone
bell electrified them ALL Dundas cried
out. Blackstock jumped up and
stumbled into the hall. Coast rising,
heard his voice.
Yes Tell them to come up.
lie returned. almost reeling. Here.
Dundas," he said slowly. you let EN-
In, will you. like a good fellow"
Mute in his panic, Dundas went to
the door.
Coast could hear the whine OF the
ascending elevator the clanking OF
its safety chains.
Abruptly he was conscious that
Blackstock's temper had undergone Il
change. From passive surrender TO
bis fate the man had passed TO a mood
OF active resistance. Somehow in
stinctiyely, Coast seemed 10 divine
this in the surcharged, tense atmos-
phere of that moment He shot a
swift. suspicious look at the man, and
caught in return look OF low cunning
and desperation.
lie saw Blackstock In a pose of at
tention. listening. every sense alert,
every muscle flexed-a man gathering
himself together as cat about to
spring.
The elevator was very near the
floor.
by Cod" Blackstock whispered,
wetting his lips; and again his eyes
were blazing. III fool EN- yeti"
The man turned swiftly Outside
the elevator gate changed. Coast
heard a confusion OF footballs and
voices. knocking on the door And
suddenly he understood what Black
stock intended. Already he had re-
gained the side table and snatched up
the pistol. He turned with it lifted.
They shan't have me-" he cried, and
reversed it to his temple.
You fooll" Coast screamed uncon.
scously. With almost incredible
swiftness of action he flung himself
upon Blackstock and seized the pistol,
DETECTED 1t toward the ceiling. II
exploded.
For a moment longer he was strug.
CLING frantically with Blackstock 70
save the man from self-destruction
Then, without warning, he was seized
and dragged away. holding the pistol
A strange hand snatched that away
Other hands pinioned his arms to
his sides. He fought for freedom tor
an instant, then ceased to resist. thun
derstruck with amazoment.
Blackstock lowered over him. point
ing him out That's your man-take
him," he cried He's done murder
and was trying suicide. | managed to
keep him quiet until he heard you
coming. then he made a grab for the
pistol Thank God, you're in time!'
Something stuck In Coasts throat
his tongue trying 20 articulate in a
mouth dry with fear and consterna
ton. You liar!" he managed to say
You"
Shut up. you!" One OF the police
men holding him clapped a hand over
his mouth.
why" he heard Blackstock say
you saw him yourself, gentlemen. II
there's any question in your minds
here's Mr.. Dundas, who saw Il ali
Dundas. who shot Van Tuyl? Mr.
Coast. here?"
Dimly as through a haze Coast saw
Dundas emerge from the press OF mer
In the room. ghost of a man. eyelids
quivering. limbs shaking, features
working in his small. pasty face. And
in his anguish of anger, fear and re
sentiment. Coast detected the look. un
observed by any other, OF secret un
derstanding that passed between the
two men.
Yes" Drndas said, his voice tremu