Meade County news., 1916-12-28
CHAPTER XIV.

Merkle found his chauffeur just clos
ing the garage door, and three minutes
later his car was sweeping westward
through the park like the shadow Of
some flying bird. The vagueness, the
brevity of the message that had come
to him out Of the night made 1t terribly
alarming. Jarvis Hammon's financial
interests were in no condition to with
stand shock; for a long time many
of them had been under fire. He had
committed his associates to program
of commercial expansion, never too Sc
cure even under favorable conditions,
and one, moreover, which had pro-
voked tremendous assault from rival
steel manufacturers. Now, with Ham
mon himself stricken at the crisis OF
the struggle, there was no telling what
results might follow.
But Merkle's apprehensions were by
no means purely selfish. Harmon and
he had been friends for many years
they shared a mutual respect and af-
fection, and, although Merkle was emf
nently practical and Unconditional, he
prayed now as best he could that
Harmon might not be grievously in
Jured.
AS the machine drew up to the Ele
gancia, Jimmy Knight leaped to thu
running board and said hurriedly:
"Send your driver away"
Merkle did as be was directed, reallz
ing his worst fears. When he and jim
stood alone on the walk he inquired
weakly, "Is he-dead"
Jim shook his head, and Merkle sav
that he was deeply agltated. "No
But he's got bullet in his chest"
Together the men entered the build
ing and at the first ring were admitted
to Apartment No. 1 by Lorelei herself
She led them straight into the library
Perhaps a quarter of an hour hat
elapsed since the shooting, but Jarvi
Harmon still sat In the big chair. III
was breathing quietly. Bob Wharton
stood beside him.
"Johnw The ironmaster smiled pal
Idly as his friend came and knelt be
side him. "You got here quickly"
"Are you badly hurt, Jarvis?"
"The thing is in here somewhere.
Hammon took his hand away from hi
breast and Merkle saw that the fnger
w~rn bloody. "Can you get me out o
here quietly?"
John Merkle rose to his full height
his lips writhed back from his teeth
Harshly he inquired: where is tina
womanT"
"She's back yonder in her room,
Bob told him. "She's ILL.,"
Merkle turned, but, reading his in
tent, Harmon checked him. crying IL
a strong voice: "None Of that. John.
did 1t myself 1t was an-accident."
Il don't believe it."
Hammon's eyes met those of his ac
cuser; the two stared at each othel
steadily for moment.
The other occupants Of the room hat
listened breathlessly; now Lorele
stirred and Merkle read more thar
mere bewilderment in her face. HI
opened his lips, but the wounded mar
did not wait for him to speak
"You must believe me-" he said, ear
nestly. Its the truth, and 1 won't
have Lilas involved-we've been @
great deal to each other. Tonight
accused her wrongfully. 1t was all my
fault-Pm to blame for everything
There was a pause. "Now get me out
Of here as quietly and quickly as you
can. I'm really not hurt much. Come
come! There's nobody home except
Orson and some Of the kitchen help
and Orson is all right-the women are
gone, you know. He'll get doctor
It's a-bad business, of course, but I've
thought it all out, and you must do ex-
actly as I say"
The effort of this long speech told on
the sufferer.
Sweat beaded his face; nevertheless,
bis jaws remained firmly set; his
glance was purposeful, his big hands
were Gripped tightly over the arms Of
the chaIl. There was something 50