The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1913-06-29

selves to meet eyerything-or nothing
i as the fates may have decided"
That's all right agreed barrow,
with undated cheerfulness. But e.
bridge and ! had little agreement, or
bet. He Dragged he'd get this Monsieur
| X before / did. I'd like to know how
he feels about his end OF, it. Give il
up?"
Eldridge looked at him rebukingly.
Il have failed" he acknowledged for
mally, from lack Of time to carry out
my investigation"
From lack of brains" said barrow
brutally, "as ! believe you once said in
private conversation about my old
master, Doctor Schermerhorn. Those
things are remembered. | am delighted
to hand this back to you" He eyed
Eldridge, the brilliant smile still curv-
ing his lips.
Enough of this!" cried Lyons with
authority This is unseemly in the
face of eternity"
barrow looked again at his watch.
''We have still six minutes, sir; and
this is an affair of long standing, and
on which l feel deeply. The score is
settled" he said with entire respect.
Il am now at your command. | had
intended Re went on in frivolous
tone again, ito kick to you on my gas
bill. 1t is too large. You, as respon-
sible head, know it is. But somehow,
you know, the presence here OF you
/ gentlemen has distarmed me. You
don't need to be here; you all have the
facilities to get away. Here you are /!
l guess you can charge a dollar and
a quarter for gas if you want to-" He
looked from one TO the other, while
he carefully wiped back the blood that
was flowing from the little wound
in his forehead. "Eldridge acknowl-
edges he has failed" he repeated.
Il fail to see how you have improved
upon that failure snapped Eldridge,
stung.
MOP" queried barrow. 81 call
Hallowell to witness that the game has
been fair. We had an even start; the
data have been open to both" He
raised his voice little. Jack" he
calle.
Immediately through the open door
from the hall outside came Jack War
ford, leading by the arm a strange and
nondescript figure. II 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, a wildcats, as though
they never winked. From the pupils,
yt-ng he EerI,t
colored lines radiated across very large
blue rises. There was something bale
full and compelling in their glare, so
that even 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, unrelenting,
, hostile spirit. As Jack dragged him
forward, the others could see that one
foot shambled along the floor.
Gentlemen" observed Darrow in his
most causual tones, 'let me present
Monsieur XP
Every one exclaimed at once. Above
the hubbub came Lyons voice, clear
and commanding.
The proofT he Numbered. This
is too serious matter for buffoonery
The proofr
Percy Darrow 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 - four-hve-six
came its spaced and measured strokes.
The last reverberations sank away
Nothing happened. Percy barrow 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 shouted
fairly in Simmons air. The spark
crashed. And a dozen places stimuli
taneously bulletins flashed: at a dozen
other points placarded balloons arose,
on which the search-lights played: so
that the people, hesitating in their flight
in thankfulness over finding themselves
still alive, raised their eyes and read:
Monsieur X is captured. You are
safe.
At that a tumu1t arose, a turnult of
rejoicing.
barrow had sauntered to the window,
and was looking out. From the great
height of the Atlas Building he could
see abroad over much of the city. Here
and there, like glowing planets, hung
the balloons.
Clever idea" he observed. I'm
glad you thought of it."
Hallowell was on his feet, his eyes
shining.
I've got the only paper on the jobp
he fairly shouted barrow, as you
love mes-give me the story. Where
was he? Where did you get him?"
barrow turned from the window, and
sardonicslly surveyed -Eldridge.
He was in the Office next door,"
said he, after moment.
CHAPTER xxi.