The Washington herald., 1912-05-05
CHAPTER VI.
An Inperious Demand.

I"1EkE was little murmur OF In
i terest On the whole, although
= the result of the trial had seemed
fairly certain, everyone was surprised
| Guilty of murder of manslaughters ?"
Maj. Elstree asked.
"Of murder" answered Deane
There was not even a recommends
ton to mercy"
Lady Olive looked reprozehfully at
him. my dear Stirling. you really
shouldn't have told US At luncheon time.
If l hadn't been so very hungry, / am
sure il would have taken my appetite
away. He was such a good-looking
fellow, and he has been so brave all
through the trial"
Brave or callous, do you think?"
Maj. Elstree asked.
Brave, ! think" Julia Raynham
declared, leaning forward in her place
u went to the trial the first day. He
followed every question that was asked,
and he was always making suggestions
to his solicitor. think when one un-
derstands like that, when ones intellect
is working all the time, that you cannot
call It callousness."
Il agree with you" Lady Olive de-
clared. Il was there myself, and ex-
cept that he looked so i'll, he seemed
quite Indifferent, and absolutely free
that he realized his position. Ny dear
Stirling, how thoughtful of you to re-
member the Honiard Americaine. Il
adore hot lobster, don't you, Julia?"
Delicious y Julia murmured.
y wonder" Maj. Elstree said re-
fec ively, what must be the state of
mind of a man who has gone through
a trial lasting four or hve days, and
suddenly realizes that It is over and
finished, and that he has lost This
poor fellow, for instance. When he
woke up this morning, he perhaps hoped
to be free to-night-things went alto
gether his way yesterday. And instead
of being free, he has been taken back
to his cell, and knows-even at this
minute he is realizing-that he will |
never leave it again until he leaves it |
to die. Personally" he continued, 81 |
think that the period of time between |
the pronouncement of a sentence and |
its execution ought to be swept away. |
cannot imagine anything more hor-
rible, especially to a man who has to
spend the long nights alone with that |
one thought racking his brain y
Lady Olive laid down her fork. MY |
dear Harry" she declared, r-do be a
little more considerate. How are we
to enjoy our luncheon if we think of
that poor man%
Maj. Elstree bowed across the table.
Il forgot" he said. Let US enjoy our
luncheon, by all means. At the same
time, / am going to drink my first glass
of wine to a reprieve, We don't dis
cuss the question of whether he de-
serves it or not. We will talk instead,
il you like, of directoire gowns, and
Flying Stars chance for the Gold Cup.
Butt drink my toast"
you are very quiet, Stirling" Lady
Olive murmured to the man who sat
Dean smiled at her. 81 am afraid
that sometimes when come away from
a maze Of figures, my brain, or at any
rate my tongue, is not so nimble as It
should be; I'll keep pace with you all
A frock-coated. white-waistcoated
rnaitre d'hotel came smiling up and ad-
dressed him conhdentially. Mr.. 7
Deane." he said, "you are wanted for
q moment upon the telephone"
you are sure that it is / who am
wanted?' Dean asked, little doubt
fully.
Quite sure, sir" the man replied.
The inquiry was for Mr.. Stirling ,
Deane"
Deane rose to his feet "You. will
excuse me." he, begged, turning to his
guests. Il suppose they have found |
out at the Office that | am here, and |
hey have probably something to say ]
10 me-"
Nevertheless, as he left the room and
:rossed the hall, Deane was conscious
of feeling more than little puzzled. !
he was quite certain that he had not :
old a soul at the Office of the Incor-
,oFated Gold Mines Association, over
which he presided, that he was lunch
ng at the Carlton. He was equally 7
.ertain that he had not told anyone ;
:ise- He took up the receiver of the Q
Instrument with some curiosity.
WHO is it?D he asked
who are you?" was the reply.
Il am Stirling Deane," Deane said. =
Who are you, and what do you want !,
With me? Isit the ofice?p Ifl
''NoP was the reply, in a voice who'll E
y unfamiliar TO him. 1T is not the &
'fice, Mr.. Deane. It is someone with &
Iews for you" Z
''NewsT Deane reepated- II should e
Ike to know who you are first, and to :
ear your news afterward" Z.
Who am is of no consequence" a
Fas the reply, Ny news is that Basil
Iowan has been found guilty. and has c