The Carlisle independent., 1915-06-10
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Shot That Failed.


 Transfxed, they watched him take two or three steps into the room. At his back was the swarthy Hindu, his eyes gleaming like coals of fire in the shadowy light.
 James," fell tremulously from the lips of Yvonne. She swayed toward him as Ranjab grasped his arm from behind Frederick saw the flash of something bright as it passed from the brown hand to the white one. He did not at once comprehend.
 Tt happened once" came hoarsely from the throat of James Brood. Tt shall not happen again. Thank you, Ranjab"
 Then Frederic knew The Hindu had slipped a revolver into his mas ter's handi
 Tt gives me great pleasure, Yvonne, to relieve you of that damned, rotten, worthless thing you call your life"
 As he raised his arm, Frederic sprang forward with a shout of horror. Scarcely realizing what he did, he hurled Yvonne violently to one side.
 It was all over in the twinkling of an eye There was a flash, the crash of an explosion, puff of smoke and the smell of burnt powder
 Frederic stood perfectly still for an instant, facing the soft cloud that rose from the pistol barrel. an expression of vague amazement in his face. Then his hand went uncertainty to his breast.
 Already James Brood had seen the red blotch that spread with incredible swiftness-blood red against the snowy white of the broad shirt bosom. Glaring with wide-open eyes at the horrid spot, he stood there with the pistol still levelled in petrified hand
 Good God, father, you've-why, you've" struggled from Frederic's writhing lips. and then his knees sagged; an instant later they gave way with a rush and he dropped heavily to the floor.
 There was not sound in the room. Suddenly Brood made movement quick and spasmodic. At the same in- stant Ranjab flung himself forward and grasped his masters arm. He had turned the revolver upon himself! The muzzle was almost at his temple when the Hindu seized his hand in a grip of iron.
 'Sahib! Sahib!" he hissed. What would you do?" Wrenching the weapon from the stiff. unresisting fingers, he hurled it across the room.
 My God!" groaned Brood. His tall body sweryed forward, but his legs re- fused to carry him. The Hindu caught him as he was sinking Imply to his knees. With a tremendous effort of the will, Brood succeeded in conquer ing the black inconsistencies that was assailing him. He strengthened up to his full height, and with trem- bling fingers pointed to the prostrate figure on the floor The pistol, Ran- lab! Where is it? Give it mel Man, man, can I live after that? have killed my sonny own son. Quick. mani"
 "Sahib!" cried the Hindu, wringing his hands. T cannot! I cannot!"
 T command you, The pistol."
 Without word the Hindu, fataIist, slave, pagan that he was, turned to do his masters bidding. It was not for him to say nay, t was not for him to oppose the will of the master, but to obey.
 All this time, Yvonne was crouching against the table, her mortified gaze upon the great red blotch that grew to terrible proportions as she watched She had not moved, she had not breathed. she had not taken her hands from her ears where she had placed them at the sound of the explosion.