The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1915-05-29


time there had been a single cartridge
left in the cylinder unknown to any.
one He had started to remove the
cylinder as he left the room. All these
years the hammer had been raised I;
death had been hanging over them all
the time that the pistol occupied its In
secure position on the wall. Somehow,
he could not tell how the hammer fell
as he tugged at the cylinder No one
could have known that the revolver
was loaded. That was all that he
could say, except TO declare that II his
masters son died he would end his
own miserable. valueless life.
His story was supported by the dec.
IsTBtions OF Mrs. Brood. who, while
completely generating her husbands
servant. had but little to say in eIpia.
nation OF the affair She kept her wits
about her. Most people would have
made the mistake or saying too much.
She professed TO know nothing except
that they were discussing young Mr.
Brood's contemplated trip abroad and
that her husband had given orders to
his servant to pack revolver In his
sons travelling bag when the time
came for his departure. She had paid
but little attention to the HIndu's
movements All she could say was
that II was an accdent-a horrible,
lblishtlng accident. For the present. Il
woeld not be possible for anyone to
see the heart.broken father. Doubt.
less, later on. he would be In the mood
10 discuss the dreadful catastrophe.
but not now, etc. etc. He was crushed
with the horror OF the thing that had
happened.
The house was in a state OF subdued
excitement Servants spoke IN wills.
pers and tlp-toed through the halls
Nurses and other doctors came Two
old men. shaking as with palsy. roamed
about the place. intent only on worm.
Ing their way into the presence OF
their friend and supporter TO offer con
ISOLATION and encouragement to him In
his hour OF tribulatlon. They shud.
dered as they looked into each others
faces, and they shook their heads
without speaking. for their minds were
filed with doubt They did not ques.
ton the truth OF the story as told, but
they had their own opinions. In sup
port TO the theory that they did no,
believe there was anything accidental
m the shooting OF Frederic Il is only
necessary TO speak OF their extraordt
nary attitude toward Ranjab They
shook hands with him and told him
that Allah would reward him. Later
an, after they had had time 10 think II
all out for themselyes-be being some
what slow OF comprehension--they
sought out James Brood and offered "a
accept all the blamerfor having loaded
the revolver without consulting him
their object having been to destroy q
cat that infested the alley hard by
They felt that II was absolutely neces
sary 20 account for the presence oi
che unexploded cartridge.
Brood. coming between them, laid
hls hands on their shoulders. shaking
his head az he spoke to them gently.
Thank you. old pals. understand
what II Is you are trying TO do. It's nc
use. fred the shot II isn't neces
rary to say anything more 20 You. I'm
sure. except that. as God u my Wit
ness. did not intend the bullet fol
Frederic. II VAS an accident In tina
respect Thank YOU Tor what you wouls
do. II isn't necessary, old pals. Ih'
story that Raniab tells must stand to'
the time being. Later un--well. maj
write my own story and give u 70 thu
world"
Write ltg" said Mr. Dawes, ans
Brood nodded his head slowly, signih
cantiy.
"Oh. Jim. you-you mustn't 90 that
groaned ar. Dawes, appalled, Aol
Amt such 4 coward "a 10 d0 that