Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-03-01
sn THE TEMPTING OF TANERNAKE

1 will not have it." -
Pritchard turned his head slightly. lie
was a little pale, and the blood was drop
ping slowly ON to the floor from a wound
In his temple, but his tone was CON
temptuous.
~ will give you my word, Professor,
and you Elizabeth Gardner, and you, Jim
Post, and you, Walter Crease. that Grip
Piled, or straight, in evil or good health,
from the very Jaws of death / will hang
on to life until you have paid your just
debts. You understand that, all of you?
/ don't know what sort of a show this is.
You may be In earnest, or you may pc
trying a rag. In any case, let me assure
you of this. You won't get me to beg for
mercy. If YOU force me to drink that
stuff you are talking about, I'll find the
antidote. and as sure as there's a prison
In America, so surely I'll make you suf-
fer for I'll If you take my advice he
went on slowly, II know what In
talking about. you'll cut these ropes and
set open your front door. You'll live
longer, all of you
A idiot" Elizabeth remarked pleas
antly, ''can do but little harm in the
world. The word of a person of weak
intellect is not to be relied Upon. For
my part, I am very tired OF our friend,
MIR. Pritchard. If you others had been
disposed to go to much greater lengths,
II you had said Hang him from the
ceiling I should have been well pleased.
Pritchard made a slight movement In
his ehair-lt was certainly not a move
ment of fear.
Madam" he said. az admire your can
dor. Let me return 1t. l don't believe
there's one OF you here has the pluck
to attempt to do me any serious injury.
If there is, get on with It. You hear,
Mr.. Walter Crease? Bring out that bot
tie of yours
Crease removed his cigar from his lips
and rose slowly to his feet. From his
waistcoat pocket he produced a small
phial, from which he drew the cork.
Seems to me it's up to us to do the
trick he remarked languldly. Catch
hold of his forehead, Jimmy"
The man known as Major Post threw
away his cigarette, and coming round
behind Pritchard's chair, suddenly bent
the mans head backward. Crease adj
vanced, phial in hand Then all hell
seemed to be let loose in Tavernake. He
stepped back i'm his place and marked
the extent of that wooden partition. Therl,
setting his teeth, he sprang at it, throw
ing the great weight of his massive
against the framework door
Scratched and bleeding. but still upon
his feet, he burst into the room, with
the noise of bricks falling behind-an
apparitlon so unexpected that the little
company gathered there seemed turned
into some waxworlt group from the
Chambe OF WITHOUT
even the power of movement.
Tavernake, in those few moments, was
like a giant among a company of de-
generates. He was strong, his muscles
were like whipcord, and his condition
was perfect. Walter Crease went over
like a log before his fist; Major Post felt
the revolver at which he had snatched
struck from his hand, and he himself re-
membered nothing more till he came to
his senses some time afterwards. A slash
and a cut and Pritchard was free. The
professor stood wringing his hands. Eliza
beth had risen to her feet. She was pale,
but she was still more nearly composed
any other person in the room. TaV-
ernalse and Pritchard were masters of
the situation. Pritchard learned toward
The mirror and Strengthened his tie.
II am afraid" he said looking down at
Crease's grooming figure, that
our hosts are scarcely in fit condition to
leave of us. Never mind, Mrs.
Gardner. we excuse ourselves to you. 1
annot pretend to be sorry that my
'riend's somewhat impetuous entrance
mas disturbed your plans for the evening,
cut I do hope that you will realize now
he fatuousness of such methods in these
lays. Goodnight! 1t is tim we finished
our stroll together, Tavernake."
They moved towards the ~door-there
vas no one to stop them. Only the pro-
'essor tried to say a few words.
My dear Mr., Prltchard-my dear
7ritchard, If you will allow me to call
'ou so,' he exclaimed, "let me beg of
'ou, before you leave us, not to take
his trining adventure too seriously! l
an assure you hat 1t was simply an
Lttempt to coerce you. not in the least
affair to be taken seriously"
Pritchard smiled.
Professor" he said, "and you, Walter
'rease, and you, Jimmy Post, If you're
to listen, listen to me. You have
layed the part of children tonight. So
urely as men and women exist who live
s you do. so surely must the law wait
pom their heels. You cannot cheat
ustice. 1t is as inexorable as Time it
elf. When you try these little tricks,
ou simply give another turn to the
Wheel, add another danger to life. You
ad better learn to look upon me as
ecessGry, all of you, for / am certainly
l~evitable."
They passed backwards through tho
DOR, then they went down the silent
all and out into the street. Even as
hey did so. the clock struck a quarter
} two
my friend T~avernake," Pritchard de-
Jared. lighting a cigarette with steady
myers. you are a man. Come into the
ub with me while l battle my fore
cad. After all, Wen ave hat drink
before we say goodnight"