The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1912-02-02
CHAPTER II.-(contlnued.)

The man looked up and nodded.
"'Well, it's too late now. That's done
for good and ALL We needn't quarrel
about IT,"
He went back to his seat.
Good Lord how long they are!"
He began TO talk, 10 maunder TO
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 II all. The
phrase, This ends it," punctuated
the semi-confessional soliloquy mo
eotonously, repeated over and ever
with the same falling infection. Coast
detected not a word, not even a note
OF regret for his crime, save inasfar
as II 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"
He returned, almost reeling. Here.
Dundas," he said, slowly, you let 'em
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 clanhng OF
ats safety chains.
Abruptly he was conscious that
Biackstock's temper had undergone a
change. From passive surrender to
his fate the man had passed to a mood
of active resistance. Somehow In
stinctively, Coast seemed to 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 a cat about to
spring.
The elevator was very near the
floor
''By Cod" Blackstock whispered,
wetting his lips; and again his eyes
were blazing "I1l fool 'em yeti"
The man turned swiftly. Outside
the Elevator gate changed Coast
heard a confusion Of footballs and
voices. a 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 II lifted.
They shan't have me-" he cried. and
reversed II TO his temple.
"You fool" Coast screamed uncon-
sciously. With almost incredible
swiftness of action he flung himself
upon Blackstock and seized the pistol.
detected It toward the ceiling. 1t
exploded.
For a moment longer he was strug-
giing frantically with Blackstock TO
save the man from self-destrucuon.
Then, without warning, be 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 for
an instant, then ceased to resist. thun-
derstruck with amazemsnt.
Blackstock lowered over him. point
ing him out. That's your man-take
bIm!" 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 10 articulate In a
mouth dry with fear and consterna-
ton. You liar!" he managed to say.
You"
shut up. you," One OF the police
rnen 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 II all.
fundas. who shot Van Tuyl! Mr..
Coast here! ;!
Dimly as through a haze Coast saw
Dundas emerge from the press OF men
tn the room. a ghost Of a man. eyelids
quiyering. limbs shaking features
working in his small. pssty 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," Dundas said. his voice uemu-