The Washington herald., 1912-07-07
CHAPTER XVII.
A Despairing Call.

A Despairing Call.
lTHE great lawyer whom the tele-
phone message from Deane had
summoned sat in a comfortable
easy chair adjoining Deane's writing
table. His manner was serious, but
not discouraging.
"You see, Deane," he said, after all,
it depends very much upon this alleged
document. The whole case practically
hinges upon it. If the defendants are
unable to procure ii, or copy OF it, or
witnesses who can swear to It. / do not
think that they can do US much harm,
especially if we take the course which l
have already suggested to our counsel.
As yet we have received no intimation
that the other side have the slightest
trace of the document in question II,
on the other hand, it should come into
their possession, they are bound to
notify us. May I ask. Mr.. Deane. what
you believe the probabilities are as re-
CARDS this matter"
1T isn't a matter of probability"
Deane answered. To the best of my
OOllNlt ID III oGNA uONdihNii ~ SN-
istence"
In that case" the lawyer continued.
Il think that you need have no further
anxiety about the case Of course,
there is no chance of long sentence
for the defendant You understand
that"
Perfectly" Desne answered. Il
don't wish it. | should not have prose-
cuted him at all, but it seemed the only
way 10 stop what might have grown
into a serious annoyance"
Il am sorry the lawyer said, that
the whole thing seems to have been
taken so seriously by the press and the
public / see your shares have dropped
to ridiculous amount"
"A chance for someone to make
money" Deane remarked Il am much
obliged to you for coming up, Harda-
way.
The lawyer nodded and took his de-
parture. Deane sat for some time in a
brown study Fundamentally he had
all the direct impulses and propensities
of a truthful man The course of &C
ton into which he was at present driv-
en- was Observation-Disclosures repugnant
to him. Yet, after all. he was only fight
ing Hefferom with his own weapons
The man was a notwithstanding
more or less. Yet the fact did not
seem to Deane to make his hands the
cleaner. And there was the girl. The
memory of her face haunted him, her
desperate plight had been only too ap-
parent II that document OF Sinclair's
was worth the paper it was written on.
it was he who was the supplanteT, the
thief, morally responsible for her grew
Gus plight He moved in his chair IN
easily. Ii was almost relief when
the telephone bell at his elbow rang.
Is that Mr.. Deane:' a wonan's
voice asked.
Yes" he answered.
"Mr. Stirling Desne?
"Yes-what is it," he asked quickly.
There was a moments silence The
terrified voice, which had still seemed
somehow familiar 10 him. was silent He
could hear from the room to which the
instrument was connected. the musical
Ginning OF a Swiss clock-the call of
a bird-and then silence. His hand
was upon the receiver to ring up the
exchange when suddenly a cry OF ter
ror, a cry OF shrill, agonized terror,
rang in his ear.
Stirling! Mr.. Deane! Stirling!
Come"
There was an abrupt cessation of that
frantic cry The last word was muf-
fed. as though something had been
dashed against the speakers mouth.
There was the sound OF the falling of
4 chair or heavy piece OF furniture.
Then silence silence onllnous. heavy,
Deane rang up the exchange The
roung lady who answered him was
title annoyed at his vehcmence.
Il want YOU TO tell me 10 whom |
nave been speaking" he exclaimed
Where was rung up from a few
ago.:
mo idea the young lady answered
artly. Didn't they give their name::
Il want TO know where the call was
rom" Deane said. Please tell me
quickly"
We don't take any note OF local
,alls,' the young lady answered. King
Stop! Deane cried. Listen. please!
This is important! l am Mr.. Deane-
Mr.. Stirling Deane-of the lncorporst-
d Gold Mines Association | have just
,een rung up BY a woman in distress
;ome one who appealed for help. She
vas dragged away from the telephone
,efore she could tell ME where size was
peaking from You must Try and ma
out the number for me. You must 90
t. II may be 4 matter OF HE or
ieath"