The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1914-01-16

nounced Lyons with great solemnity,
and folded his hands over his white
waistcoat.
At that moment the door slowly
swung open and Percy barrow en-
tered. He was smoking a cigarette,
his hands were thrust deep In his trou-
sers pockets: he was hatless, and his
usually smooth hair was rumpled. A
tiny wound showed just above the
middle of his forehead, from which
thin stream of blood had run down to
his eyebrows. He surveyed the room
with a humorous twinkle shining be-
hind his long lashes.
We'll, well. well. Welt" ne remarked
in cheerful tone of voice. This is
nice, jolly. Quaker meeting! Why
don't you get out and make q noise
and celebrate, like your friends out
slider"
Thought you'd ducked." remarked
Hallowell. The others said nothing,
but looked grave disapproval.
barrow laughed
mo, had to come back to see how
Eldridge is getting on" He cast
glance at the scientist. How goes it.
old socks?" he inquired.
The mans manner, the tone of his
voice, seemed as much out OF place
in this atmosphere of solemnity as
penny whistle in a death chamber
barrow refused to notice the general
attitude OF dlsapproval, but planted
himself in front OF Eldridge.
'All in?" he challenged. "Or do you
stin cherish any decisions 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.
| y
selves to meet everything-or moth
ing-as the fates may have decided"
That's all right" agreed barrow,
with undated cheerfulness. But Ell
bridge and had little agreement, or
bet. He Dragged he'd get this Mon
sier \ before did. I'd like to know
how he feels about his end OF it. Give
it 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 Darrow
brutally. AS l 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
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.
i am now at your command. | 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 it 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 a
quarter for gas if 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. "Eldridge acknowledges
he has failed" he repeated.
Il fail to see how you have i'm
proved upon that failure" snapped Ell
bridge. stung.
"No?" queried barrow. 81 call Hal
lowell to witness that the game has
been fair. We had an even start; the
| udtd nave Deen open to both" He
raised his voice 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