The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1913-08-20
CHAPTER XVI.
Sixty Seconds Leeway.

III Lu6y LIOOpSu, JIM DldhS dI IASlL
head-van Dyke, Neligan, Gregg, and
(sulkily bringing up the rear Tom.
Grace had quilted the library at her
husbands order. Now, starkly I'M
ashamed of the eavesdropper's role,
she was standing tense, expectant, her
ear to the closed door leading to the
inner rooms. Through the thin panel
she could hear every syllable from,
the library. Her own name was the
first word she caught.
Grace turned in?" Jim Blake was
asking; and Robertson replied:
Yes. She's all tired out. We can
talk freely here. No one will inter
rupt. Sit down. The cigars are over
there. And here's the Scotch"
Has Standish been around YETI"
queried Van Dyke.
"Oh, he'll be here all right" vouch-
safed Blake, before Mark could an
swer. HE knows we've got him in a
hole. He'll
But have we?" argued Van Dyke.
''As far as l can see, it's still the other
way around"
tits bad enough to be delayed by
anything" fumed Mark. But it's ten
times worse when were blocked by
damned little-by the person who got
this information" he corrected him.
self, catching a warning CLINT from
Blake's half-shut eyes.
Whatever the price is" suggested
Gregg, Il say pay it! Pay it and
save time
NO" contradicted Blake, his glance
shifting as if by accident to Tom.
"Her-the-the price is too high"
TOO high?" snorted Neligan on
whom the undercurrent of Blake's re-
fusa1 was entirely lost. IT'S the first
time we've ever economical"
Before Blake could reply the buzzer
sounded
There's Standish, now,'' said Jim.
Let him in, Neligan. Take the lead
from me, all of you. And don't dis
grace me by acting like wild asses of
the desert"
Neligan, in obedience to his chief,
had opened the outer door. Standish.
after quick and seemingly Indifferent
look that itemized the rooms occu-
fully closed the door behind him.
The men nodded stif1y, uncomfort-
ably, in response to the visitors slight
bow.
Good evening, gentlemen" said
Standish pleasantly. This setting of
the stages seems to suggest Daniel in
the lions den. | hope none of you
has made the error of casting me for
the role of Daniel
Neligan's' lips flew apart with the
force of a retort that leaped to them.
But the words were never formulated
For Blake, beaming on the newcomer
like a father upon his dearest loved
son, exclaimed affectionately:
why, how are you, my boy? How
are you? Take a chair. Neligan, get
him "a"
Thanks" declined Standish. 81 can
talk better on my feet"
"Oh!" deprecated Blake, in pathetic
disappointment. You've come to talk?
I was hoping you had come to-
ITO lie DOWN." supplemented Stand
ish
Well" answered Blake oracularly,
"the man who lies down can get up
again. But the man who is knocked
down, is apt to take the count.
The question is this, Mr.. Standish,'
broke in Mark, impatiently at his ia.
ther-in-law's slower method of reach.
ing the point will you support US
or will you not?".
Il will not" returned Standish.
Or at least resign your leader
ship?'
mo. I thought we had settled al
that
Then" asked Van Dyke, you are
prepared to take the consequences
Mr.. Standish?"
IF there are consequences-yes.
'Oh, there'n be consequences, al
right Blake assured him. 'HelPs full
of consequences So you won't even
protect the Woman"
You haven't found her yet"
Nor smiled Rlaka SON I told