The Washington herald., 1912-05-19

ployed in thinking over an impending
crisis than in listening to an exceed
ingiy dull play7".
Perhaps" she admitted, but crises
do not occur in political affairs every
day. ! might even be vain enough to
suggest another and a simpler means
of escape from your boredom"
/ Il am very justly rebuked," he ad-
mitted, holding her fingers for mo-
ment, only you must remember that it
is new for me to have so delightful a
means of escape ready by my side Give
me little time to realize my good for
tune"
so long as it doesn't become a
habit" she murmured 81 am sure
am not exaeting, but should hate to
feel that you were always so engrossed
in your thoughts that you did not even
realize whom you were sitting next"
He touched her fingers once more,
and his pressure was gently returned
Then, as if conscious that she had been
little more than ordinarily compla-
cent she withdrew her hand, and lean
ing over began to talk with her moth
er about some people whom Deane
knew nothing Of A man from behind
touched him on the shoulder. He look
ed up quickly and recognized Harda-
way.
Come and have a cigarette" the law
yer said. 1T is quarter of an hours
interval, and ! should like to have a
word with you"
Deane excused himself to his COM
panions, and joined his friend in the
foyer. "Well?" he asked tersely.
Hardawsy toyed with a cigarette
case. and glanced quietly around. He
was tall and thin, clean-shaven, with
hard, pronounced features and sunken
eyes, gray hair parted in the middle,
and single eyeglass suspended around
his neck by narrow black ribbon. He
looked exactly what he was-a Grim
inal lawyer.
Il wanted to have word with you,
Deane," he said, about this Rowan
fresh?" he asked.
Nothing particular" the lawyer an
swered. Come upstairs for a mo-
ment"
They found corner of the refresh
ment room where no one else was with
IN hearing. Deane lit his cigarette with
perfectly: steady fingers. There was
nothing IN his face TO indicate the fierce
anxiety which was consuming him.
With reference to that case" his
companion commenced, 'the facts were
all so simple that there was no=need
tor fha = Il
er motive than the abvious one of at
tempted robbery: Therefore. no very
searching investigation has been made
into the dead mans papers. Yesterday
afternoon, II occurred to me to look
them through once more, in case any,
thing had been overlooked. came
across a clumsy sort of document pur-
porting to be the deeds of a gold mine.
| should not have taken any particular
notice. Of it but for the title of the
nine"
Well"
ct was the Little Anna Gold Mine"
Hardaway continued. These deeds
stated that Sinclair himself was the sole
owner"
"A very extraordinary document"
Deane remarked. Il suppose you
couldn't manage things 50 that I could
have look at it,"
1T would be quite impossible" the
lawyer answered. Mine was, of
course, a privileged inspection, and l i
am going beyond my duty in mention
ing this affair to you. II certainly did
seem very singular
Especially" Deane remarked, with |
faint, hard smile, since you are in
position to know that I have paid for |
the defense of the prisoner"
1t IS not my business to connect |
such facts" the lawyer remarked.
Someone viii appear upon the scene |
sooner or later, of course" Deane said, |
and claim this mans effects"
Naturally" Hardaway answered, |
although, except for this rather re-
markable document, they do not seem
to have been very valuable"
IF you should hear of anyone" said
Deane, Il should be glad if you would |
let me know without a seconds delay"
Il will do So" the lawyer promised.
The bell tinkled. The men at the
bar finished their drinks, threw away
their cigarettes, and hurried off. Deane
and his companion rose to their feet.
"Hardaway," Deane said, some Of
the papers are talking about a reprieve
for this man Rowan. Will It come to
anything, do you Think"
Il do not know" the LAWYER an
swered cautiously.
They moved Slong the passage lead
ing down to the stalls. Deane held his
back until the little throng
Of hurrying men had passed by
Listen, Hardaway," he said, 81
speak to you as one speaks to the dead,
because you know the secrets of your
profession, and because / trust YOU.
Is there any way in which a man of
great wealth, who had the command
If money say up to fifty thousand
oounds-is there any any way in which
such man could help toward obtain
ng reprieve"
Hardaway hesitated for a moment
'Of course" he admitted, influence
S always a useful thing. Those who
have the ruling of these matters are
sometimes hesitating between two
minds. A very straw might turn the
balance"
Deane nodded his head. He looked
Tor a moment behind His hand rested
upon the curtain which led into the
tails. There was not soul in sight.
The play had recommended.
"Hardaway,' he said, Il will give
fifty thousand pounds, if necessary, to
lave that man reprieYed. The verdict
hould have been one of manslaughter.
am convinced of that | was in court
heard the sentence / saw Rowan's