Putnam patriot., 1914-01-23
CHAPTER XXI.
Jim Blake, Loser.

And so for an instant they stood. It was an odd tableau: Grace, helpless, shaking. dumb; Wanda, her arms elasped protectingly about the unheed- ing Woman, who did not so much as realize their presence nor feel the warm sympathy of their embrace; Mark, his triumph tinged with impa- tience at his wifes hesitation; Blake, still gripping the telephone and glow ering in angry surprise at the lawyer; Van Dyke grim, alert. master of the moment, his lean face set in lines of unwonted sadness.
 And 1t was Van Dyke who broke the brief silence. His precise dry voice was tinged by a note of something al m ,st solemn as he addressed Robert son.
 Mark" he said, Miss Kelly has told us that she promised the-the Woman not to tell. When did she make that promise?"
 What does that matter now?" snap ped Mark. We"
 "She never heard of the affair until early this evening. So it must be since then that she talked with the Woman about it. Miss Kelly has been on duty downstairs ever since six o'clock. She has not left this hotel with the Woman?"
 By telephone. If-"
 'I think not" denied Van Dyke, the cold sorrow in his voice now apparent to every one. The Woman is here in this house."
 50 much the betteri" declared Blake, again picking up the telephone.
 Van Dyke. in gloomy wonder, turn ed on his chief
 You have often boasted, Jim," said he, that you owe your success to the fact you see things just a second soon- CT than other people. Don't you un- derstand-even yet?"
 "No," growled Blake, q don't. Out with it, man. What are you trying to get at? Don't beat about the bush. You're wasting time that we haven't got"
 Van Dyke faced Roberston; his lean face working.
 Mark" he said, tapping the dupli- cate telephone list, your house in New York is charged here with two calls. We thought it was mistake --n
 A wordless gurgle from Jim Blake interrupted him. The telephone was set down by a hand that shook as though from palsy. For a single in- stant the heavy-lidded eyes were who'll ly, starkly unveiled in glare of un- believing horror. Then they turned stupidly upon Grace who bowed her cd weeping before the panic query in their gaze.
 Wanda Kelly wound her arms tight CT about the heavy body. But Grace neither felt the contact nor heard the whisper of eager futile comforting. Blake stared open-mouthed, his face greenish and habby. the stern jaw loose, the keen eyes bulging. Mark Robinson was still froBning perplexed- ly at Van Dyke.
 Don't you understand?" pleaded the latter.
 No, don't" returned Mark. What have the two phone calls to my home got to do with-?"
 Suppose the second call were not 8 mistake--?" besitated Van Dyke.
 Robinson's face went purple. The big veins near his temples swelled grotesqueiy. He took an involuntary step toward Van Dyke. The latter raised protesting hand.
 Mark" he said. fiinching not at all before the bloodshot fury in the hus. bands little eyes, i've are here as law yers. making an investigation. At last we have struck the right trail. I am sorry it leads where it does. r."
 He got no further At stride Rob- ertson was beside his wife. Roughly brushing aside Wanda's embracing arms he caught Grace by the shoulder and held her.
 You hear what this man insinu- atesg" he cried fbickiy. T don't ask vn" to finn, your lips by denying 1t.