Putnam patriot., 1914-01-09

Van Dyke and Neligan were already boring over the sheet of numbers that the lawyer had just spread on the table under the lamp.
 Now, then, Standish." exulted Rob ertson; we're ready to begin. One of these numbers leads directly to the Woman. We'll put a man at work tracing each one of them. In a few hours at longest we will have what we want Ans when we find the Woman we'll lay bare every soiled page in her life and in yours"
 It was Standish who broke the mo- ments silence.
 Very well, Robertson" he said calmly I've done what promised to do. And I have failed. You drive me now to the use of your own weapons. I shall have to fight ex- posture with exposure"
 No, mol" moaned Grace, incoherent witl fear.
 Mark Robertson had caught up Standishs defiance and had stepped forward to confront him.
 "In other words, MT. Standish," he demanded, you threaten me? That's an empty threat. There is nothing in my life you have not already shouted from the housetops."
 Don't be too sure," warned Stand Ish, meeting Marks scornful glare with unconcern.
 What do you mean? Speak upl"
 '.Mr. Standishi" pleaded Grace. "I beg
 Don't worry, dear" said Mark. 'Tet him bluff. I'll call him. Mir. Standish. I give you full permission to use any weapon that I use. If you know any thing against me, tell it here and now. Here, in my wife's presence. You know our cards. Show yours."
 Standishs gaze strayed, as if by chance, to Grace's ghastly face.
 'Well?" urged Mark. Speak up! We're waitingi"
 At sight of the mortal terror in Grace's eyes, Standish checked the words that were on his lips. Turning away from the domineering man who so truculently confronted him, he nut tered:
 'Pll choose my own time!"
 q thought sol" scoffed Mark. You're licked. This is your last fight. From tonight you're a dead man, po- litically. And if we have to hunt out a woman or two to keep you dead, we'll do it''
 Van Dyke had glanced from the tele- phone list to his watch.
 We've just time enough to catch the last editions of the morning pa- pers," said he. q told Jennings to hold wire ready"
 "What?" exclaimed Standish. You'll go ahead without the Woman's name?"
 "Yes," answered Van Dyke. Since we've an absolute certainty, now, Of getting it. We can afford to do that and publish the name tomorrow. Tell Jennings to send out the story. Tell him we're holding the Woman's name and that we won't give it out unless Standish denies the story. By the time he can get his denial in print we'll have the name"
 "Good!" asserted Robertson, catch ing up the telephone. Hello! Give me"
 Mark" begged Grace. "Oh. im- plore you-don't-"
 "4400 Main"
 No, mol" reiterated Grace wildly. turning from him to Blake. Father! You won't allow this? Please! For my sake"
 "Hello!" Mark was calling into the transmitter. That you, Jennings? This is Robertson. Is that Standish story ready? All right-can you sure- ly get in for the morning papers?- Last editions, eh? All right-Yes- In the big cities-What's that?"
 MT. Standish!" appealed Grace brokenly.
 "Blakei" exclaimed Standish. You don't dare publish that story without the Woman's name"
 Tn less than five minutes" retorted Blake, glancing at the clock, "it'll be too late for the morning papers. We'll take a chance"
 "Remember!" answered Standish with sudden vehemence, "I warn you"
  calling over the wire. "Yes. I tell you l am Robertson and I am speaking for MT. Blake What do you say you want? I can't catch it?"
 'Blake!" continued Standish. 'T warn you I'll deny the story. And if you get the Woman's name you'll"
 Deny it. will you?" drawled Blake. He'll You haven't time to get wire before they go to press. The story'll be all over America before your denial can leave Washington"
 T tell you" Mark was roaring into the transmitter, that I'm speaking on MT. Blake's authority. Oh, all right, then. Hold the wire. Jim," he went on, turning to Blake. Jennings says he won't send out that story without your personal orders. He knows your voice. He says if you'll tell him. over the phone, that it is all right, he'll go ahead. Hurry. There's only about minute left"
 He handed the instrument across the table to Blake.
 "Father," entreated Grace, seizing Blake's arm- For my sake, you mustn't"
 "Gracel" snapped Blake. I'm plumb ashamed of you. You're acting like a sick schoolgirl Go to your room. Hello, Jenningsl This is Blake Hello"
 Hold on, Blakei" ordered Standish. .sI'll give you her name. She"
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