Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-07-08


ness" said Martin, again laying his hand
on the others knee, "and you have go'
| the pians which we're In Admiral Pies
sev's desk. You murdered him yourself
Dereve went very pale. ITS lie, u
he shouted. Il never murdered him Who
told you that-Huron or that showglrl
woman"
"Huron? what do you know OF Hu-
| on7" demanded the sailor, Keeping MS
eyes fixed on the trembling Anslo-Amen-
! can.
~ know more about Huron and his
! abovetrl than he wants me to know. III
| they trv TO fasten the blame Of their dirty
work on me, tell them to look out-thats
| allw
Dereve was walking up and down the
! room. his hands In his pockets, putting
/ furiousiy at his cigar. Martin watched
| him intently His lips we're bent into a
smile of derision. He had got the mans
measure. Dereve was n coward.
He got up and laid his hand on the tall
mans shoulder "out with itl' he said
gently "If you're an enemy Of Huron
and Mrs. Plessey you should be an ally
of mine. SIT down and listen to me"
Dereve drank Off stlff glass OF whisky
and resumed his seat He kept his face
turned away from the other man. He
was biting at his lips nervously and could
no longer keep his cigar alight.
tin; I'm in love with Maud Plessey, the
admirals daughter. Mrs. Plessey has
made up her mind that she shall marry
the man you spoke of-Huron-because he
threatens otherwise to reveal the dis
graceful circumstances of her husbands
death. I'm not out to avenge the ad-
miral nor yet to vindlcate myself at the
expense Of his honor. want to turn this
rogue Hurons' fank-to satisfy my girl
that he cannot injure her or her fathers
reputation. / don't see why you shouldn't
help me in this" In his desperate ear
nestness Martin could not keep note OF
appeal out of his voice. "If YOU actually
shot the admiral, don't know that feel
constrained to hand you over to JUS
tlce-"
81 never shot him." sulkily reiterated
Dereve.
so much the better. What, then have
you to fear from Huron or Mrs Plessey7"
He anXiously watched the effect of his
words. The tall man sat staring before
him. white-faced and haggard. cracking
the joints of his fingers.
II don't know what you want with
me-" he said, husklly and resentfully.
what do care about that mans daugh- /
ter? He didn't respect other mems
A spot of red flashed out on
his pallid cheeks. II tell you he deserved
to die. 1 guess it's mighty fine for
you to sit there and coax the story out
of me. l don't know you, Mr.. Arrol You |
are still more or less under suspicion, |
surmise, of having had a hand in the old |
mans death, and you'd be more than |
human If you didn't fasten the guilt on |
some other likely person If you got the |
chance. You see, appearances |
were dead against me. I've got hold of |
these plans, as you see. / WISH" he went |
on bitterly, I'D put em in the fire. |
Huron could put the rope round my neck |
If thwarted him. You had close call, |
1 remember. and l should be in a worse
plight, for you see that had a private |
grudge against the old man." He knitted |
his brows and seemed to be struggling |
hard to see his way. mo, Huron has kept /
faith with me all these years. 1 can't be
of any use to you, Mr.. Arrol."
You're a coward!' Martin expected
to see the man leap from his chair as he
said that, but he sat unmoved looking
why don't you challenge them to do their
worst? What was your grudge
against Admiral Plessey?
II guess that's no concern of yours"
Martin rose and paced the room. pale
With anger. He was thinking rapidly.
After all, he had gained something from
mis- visit--the man had denied Mrs. Pies
'ey's statement that her husband had
lied in dishonorable circumstances. The
Woman had tried to bluff him. She had
perhaps private reasons of her own for
Huron, but 1t was not in his
'ower to hold the daughter as hostage
or her dead father. A triumphant light
'ame into his eyes. He would find Maud
ind marry her. and bid this crew of liars
md cravens do their worst. Then he
ooked at Dereve and took up his hat
Very well, my friend" he said, men
.cingly: you have told me that Admiral
'lessey parted with those plans in no
liScTeditable WaV That's ali 7 1vantad
Q know. l shall return to England by
he next boat and inform the police that
hese plans have been in your possession
from the date of his MUIR
Ter. Don't think yourself safe in Amer
ca. That sort of thing is provided for in
he extradition treaty Perhaps before 1
cave New York you may find it safer to
e on my side than Huron's"
He moved toward the door.