The Cairo bulletin., 1913-07-17
CHAPTER XVI.


In they troopcd. Jim Blake at theil
head-Nan Dyke. Neligan, Gregg. ant
tsulkily bringing up the rcarl Tom.
Grace had quilted the library at her
husbands order. Now starllly un-
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 I'M" 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 Standsh been around YETI"
queried Van Dyke.
"Oh, he'll be here all right" vouch-
safed Blake, before Mark could an
swer. "FIe knows we've got him in a
hole He'll"
"But have we?" argued Van Dyke
AS far as can see, it's still the other
way around"
ITS bad enough to be delayed by
anything fumed Mark. But it's ten
times worse when we're blocked by a
damned little-by the person who got
this information" be 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-
fusal was entirely lost. TITS the first
time we've ever economical"
Before Blake could reply the buzzer
sounded
There's standlsh, now" said Jim.
Let him In, Nellgan. 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 Standsh,
after quick end seemingly Indifferent
look that itemized the rooms occil-
pants, walked forward, Neligan care
fully closed the door behind him.
The men nodded stiffiy, uncomfort-
ably, In response to the visitors slight
bow.
Good evening, gentlemen" said
Standsh pleasantly. This setting Of
the stages seems to suggest Daniel in
the lions den. | hope none of you
has made the error of casting ne for
the role of Daniel.-
Neligans lips flew apart with the
force of a retort that leaped to them
But the words were never formulated
For Blake. beaminc on the newcomer
like a father upon HIS dearest loved
son. exclaimed affectionately:
why. how are you. my boy? How
are you? Take 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?
was hoping you had come to-
To lie DOWN." supplemented Stand
fish.
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 viii you support us,
or will you not?'
Il will not" returned Standish.
"Or at least resign your leader
ship?"
NO. / thought we had settled all
that"
Then" asked Van Dyke. you are
prepared to take the consequences,
Mr.. Standish?'
IF there are consequences-yes.
"Oh. therell be consequences, all
right Blake assured him. "Hell's full
of consequences. So you won't even
protect the Woman?"