The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1915-08-26
CHAPTER xvL-(continued.)


not you, Eric Can't you see what he
win do 10 me? He will take IT all out of
me- He will ruin me, destroy me. 1
won't say he can put me behind the
bars. but he can make me the most de-
spised creature in America"
You should have thought of all this
before" said Mary sharply.
4 have" quoth Adam, with frown.
II he meant TO say more, he was
shocked by sharp. eager exclamation
from Eric.
by George! Listen to mel" His face
WAS bright with new resolve. He
ieaned forward eagerly, his voice drop
ping to q tense, insistent half whisper.
4 know how can protect You, Mr.
Adam. It's as simple as A B G. You
have stood by me: I'd be dog to drag
you down with me. Here's what can
and will do. 1 will not mention your
name In connection with the affair. 1
win not call on you a. witness. I'll
leave you out OF 1t altogether, and take
the whole blame on myself. That viii
let you off clean as a whistle. There's
no reason why you should be punished
for
Hold on, Eric" cried Adam, rising
slowly from the chair to look the Inn
passioned young man squarely In the
Rye. With On effort Of the will, he
managed to conceal the feeling of pride,
There are several obstacles to that
sort OF plan. First, leaving me out OF
n, how are you going TO account for the
disposal of the body"
A slight shudder ran over Eric's
frame.
Z. -oh, can say that ! weighed it with
You haven't told lie In connection
with the affair up to date. have your"
asked Adam levelly.
why. mol haven't even mentioned
Don't you think it's rather poor
policy to begin now?"
We'll it's the only way can think
Of to keep your name out OF 1t. -.....rs
Adam had been thinking hard all
this time. His active, resourceful brain
had been cropping for the means VITA
which to SUCCESSFULLY combat this rather
primitive. quixotic sense OF honesty
that afflicted Eric. To gain time: that
was Adams sole purpose. The real OBJ
Ject OF his visit to the little Werner cot
tage was forgotten in the face IF this
amazing revolt. Strategy-ay, more
than that would be required In the
harc''- OF the conscience stricken
man; harsh, unfeeling measures would
be necessary. Nor was he thinking only
OF his own safety. although, somehow,
II was becoming paramount. He loved
Eric, In a strange, bear like fashion:
peculiarly his own. He was a far
eighted man: he foresaw dark trials for
the boy 81 his present purpose was, car
rted out 1t was quite impossible for
him to realize that he, too. had been
short sighted. He had played deep,
ugiy game without counting on the
certainty OF this very hour. Time to
curse his stupidity and to reckon the
cost. not only to Eric but to himself.
but suppose don't choose to be
left out of II, what then?" he demanded
II a hard voice.
Y Il don't have to inplicate YOU" went
on Eric earnestly. you can appear to
be much surprised as anyone when the
truth comes out"
"Just go on being detective,
eh2y retorted Adam with grim humour.
Chasing a dead man for six years, Ell?
Do you think have no pride? pom my
word, I'd rather be called a scoundrel
than fool"
a Eric began TO argue his point but the
older man cut him off short with the
curt reminder that he was old enough
TO look out for himself.
''See here. Eric" he continued. ignor-s
ing the hurt look sn his young friends
eyes. well get right down to case. II
you go 40 Horace Blagden with your
tale. / shall have to tell the world what
! know OF the affair. Do you realize
what that may mean?"
You saw the fight" cried Eric You
can prove that It was self defense-no.
IN accident"
II can do nothing OF the kind" said
Adam coldly. He had thought OF way.
What do you meanT' stammered the
other
"Just this. I did not see the fight. I
saw one blow struck. 4 do not know
whas went before. have only your
wofd for that. Not competent testimony
my boy"
cries face was a puzzle.
I'll don't see what you are driving
at, Mr.. Adam. Surely you don't" He
stopped short. his lips twisting into a
sickly smile.
Don't what?"
''You don't mean that you doubt my
word?"
Adam Carr shook his head. i've al
ways said tx was an accident, haven't
Certainly Then what do you mean ?"
do you suppose that any court.
knowing my interest in the case, will
accept my statement that believed II
to be an accident?"
why not?"
simply because what believe and
what actually occurred are in no way
connected by fact You did strike him.
I did lot see him strike at you. So far
as can testify. you struck the only
dow. Ia I".. ...s ..t p. II
Good heaven!"
"Just think Il over, Eric" said Carr.
coolly. Don't put your heck in moose
an the hope that can get 1t out for
you. He was a big. powerful chap. 1t
toesn't seem likely that" tt.a
.Why--why, curse you, do you mean
70 say that ! struck him without warn
mgr"
Eric was towering over the square,
heavy figure, his face cora Iilsed by
rage. His arm was drawn back as IL
70 strike The older man did not finch.
lyon seem to forget that taught
you a blow that would be likely to
atch any man off his guard. 1t
. blow that never fails TO do the
work. That was the only blow I saw
PASS between you and him. As said
before: Just think II over" a'
He picked up hts hat and strobe
toward the door. Eric sprang after
him, rage giving way before appre-
henston and dismay.
Are you turning against me% be
cried. "Wait! Where are you going?'
II am going to my room in the hotel.
Day after tomorrow we may hear OF
Chetwynd's death in South America. ]
am expecting o message to that effect.
Believe me. hope 10 receive the news
before you go to your uncle with this
tale OF yours, It would hurt me more
= ~.