The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-12-05

In this atmosphere Of solemnity as a
penny whistle ip a death chamber.
barrow refused to notice the general
attitude OF disapproval, but planted
himself in front Of Eldridge.
All INF" he challenged. "Or do you
still cherish any delusions that you
will get your man inside of"-he
looked at his watch--"eleven min
utes"
A visible stir ran through the room
at these words. Eleven minutes!"
murmured Lyons, and held his watch
to his ear. ut has stopped" he said
aloud. 1T seems, gentlemen. that the
only possible hope for us lies In the
doubt as to whether or not this I'm
known will carry out his threat"
He's first-rate hand to carry out
threats" observed barrow.
I'VE have done our best" said Ly.
ons calmly. Let us compose our
selves to meet everything-or moth
ing-as the fates may have decided"
That's all right" agreed barrow,
with undated cheerfulness. But FL
bridge and had little agreement, or
bet. He Dragged he'd get this Mon
sier X before / did. I'd like to know
how he feels about his end of 1t. Give
it upT
Eldridge looked at him rebukingly.
81 have failed" he acknowledged for
mally, from lack of time to carry out
my investigation"
Il II 80 no
brutally, las believe you once said
in private conversation about my old
master, DR.. Schermerhorn. These
things are remembered. ! am delight
ed to hand this back to you" He
eyed Eldridge. the brilliant smile still
curving his lips"
Enough of this!" cried Lyons with
authority. This is unseemly in the
face of eternity"
barrow looked again at his watch.
1--WE have still six minutes, sir; and
this is an affair of long standing, and
on which feel deeply. The score Is
settled" he said with entire respect.
Il am now at your command. l had
intended" he went on in a frivolous
tone again, Ito kick to you on my gas
bill. 1t is too large You, as respon-
sible head. know 1t is. But somehow,
you know, the presence here of you
gentlemen has disarmed me. You don't
need to be here; you all have the facil-
tiles to get away. Here you are!
guess you can charge a dollar and
quarter for gas II you want to-" He
looked from one to another while he
carefully wiped back the blood that
was flowing from the little wound in
his forehead. "Eldrldge acknowledges
he has failed" he repeated.
81 fail to see how you have i'm
proved upon that failure" snapped FL
bridge, stung.
MOP" queried barrow. 81 call Hal
lowell to witness that the game has
been fair. We had an even start; the
data shave been open to both" He
raised his voice a little. "Jack!" he
called.
Immediately through the open door
from the hall outside came Jack War
ford, leading by the arm a strange and
nondescript figure. 1t was that Of a
small, bent, old-looking man, dressed
in a faded suit of brown. His hair
was thin, and long, and white; his face
sharp and lean. His gaze was fixed
straight before him, so that every one
in the room at the same instant caught
the glare of his eyes.
They were fixed, those eyes. like an
owls; or, better, Wildcats, as though
they never winked. From the pupils,
which were very small, the little light
colored lines radiated across very large
blue irises. There was something bale
full and compelling In their glare, SO
that Hallowell, cool customer as he
was, forgot Immediately all about the
mans littleness and shabbiness and
bent figure, and was conscious only Of
the cruel. clever, watchful, unrelent-
ing, hostile spirit. AS Jack dragged
him forward, the others could see that
one foot shambled along the floor.
Gentlemen" observed barrow in
his most casual tones, '1et me present
Monsieur X!"
| Every one exclaimed at once. Above
the hubbub came Lyons voice, clear
and commanding.
THE proof" he Numbered. This is
too serious a matter for buffoonery.
The proof"
Percy barrow raised his hand.
Through the roar Of the maddened city
the bell of the Metropolitan tower was
beginning its chimes. BY the third
stroke the uproar had died almost
away. The people were standing still
awaiting what might come.
The sweet-toned chimes ceased
There succeeded the pause. Then the
great bell began to boom.
One-two-three-fo - FIVE - six
came it's spaced and measured strokes
The last reverberations sank away
Nothing happened. Percy Darrow let
his hand fall.
"The proof" he repeated. "is that
you are still here"
From the night outside rose a wild
shrek of rejoicing. stupendous, over
whelming, passionate. Paige sprang
across the room. Released" he shout.
ed fairly in Simmons ear. The spark
| ~ ~ ,,Io ed, II