The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1916-05-13
BY +. w. Hornung.


Quite true; she did," said
scarborough, but as though he
did not appreciate what he was
saying, as though something else
had stuck in his mind. "But 1t
was a tremendous INTEREST,"" he
exclaimed, jumping up. 1T was
her fathers interest; his life. in
deed! Isn't 1t inconceivable that
his daughter-apart from every
thing else I've found her-that
she of all people should do thing
like this?"
II am afraid the inconceivable
happens almost yas-often as the
unexpected" said Dollar, with a
sigh. "Criminology indeed pre-
pares us for little else. Think of
the perfectly good mothers who
have flown to infanticide as the
first relief Of a mind unhinged!
The inversion of the ruling pas
sions is one of the sure symptoms
of insanity"
But of course she's mad"
cried scarborough, ''if she's
guilty at all. But that's what |
can't and won't believe. | can
believe 1t one minute, but not the
next, just as I've suspected and
laughed at my suspicious all this
nightmare time. One look in her
face has always been enough, and
would be at this minute"
We'll, we shall soon see," said
Dollar, glancing at the clock. but
| can only warn you that my evil
dence Is overwhelming"
Let's have it, then! what is
your evidence?" demanded Eden
borough, in a fresh fit of stone
blind defiance.
MY dear fellow, you force my
hand!" said Dollar. Heaven
knows you have a right - and It
can't make matters worse than
they are. My evidence consists of
a full and circumstantial confes-
sion by a scoundrel to- whom
took your own dislike at sight,
and whose career l have spent the
week investigating. needn't tell
you I mean the infamous Roc
Chi"
"Rocchi!" whispered Edenbor-
ough at the second attempt, as
though his very tongue, rejected
the abhorrent name. Yet now he
stood perfectly still, like a man
who sees at last. WELL" he add
ed in an ominously rational voice,
II must live long enough to send
him to hell, whatever else Il do"
you will have to find him
first" said Dollar. "He has gone
back to his paymasters-rrnot his
own countrymen-they kicked
him out long ago. I've taken it
ON myself to do the same, instead
of handing him over to the police
and doing an infinite deal more
harm than good"
But Peterborough was not lis
tening to a word; he was talking
to himself. and he talked aloud
as soon as he was given a chance.
Now we know why she was 80
keen on my wretched job =
on the whole navy. No,
not a lifelong fraud like that. '
And she pretended to dislike that
brute as much as / did! l believe
No, never jealous of
him, and I'm not now
but so much the worse, 80 much
the more damnably cold-blooded!"
Dying philosopher could not
have displayed a more acute de-
tachment. But the last touch was
lost upon Dollar, whose expectant
ear had caught the ting Of an cleo
trio bell.
marlborough" he said, In the
voice of urgent Cancellation, the
time has come for you to show
what's in you. So far you have
kept your head and played the
man; keep it now, and you will
play the hero! | still can't mag
inc what Miss Trevellyn can have
to say for herself-but I implore
you to hear her out, for l believe
she is being admitted at this mo-
ment."
"Lucy-here-and you expect
ed herr"
II told you l had another ap-
pointment. But you were here
first, one thing led to another, and
1t may be better as 1t is. You
were bound to have this out be-
tween you-and today. II you
wish me to be present-but no
human being can help!"
unless it's YOU" suggested
scarborough in a panic-stricken
whisper. Il can't face her alone
/ can't trust myself" F
Dollar took no notice of a knock
at the door. Peterborough, you
must" he said gently; land what
ever she may have to say--n1uch
or little, and 1t may be much
you must hear patiently to- the
end. It's your duty, man! Don't
finch from 1t, for her sake!"
"But do finch from ittsdcrfed
Peterborough below his breafhc II
finch from IL for her sake as
much as mine. I'm not the one
to shame her even il Rocchiss tell
ing" %egsf
The door opened in response to
Dollars decisive call. II was the
little Barton boy, to say that Miss
Thevellyn was In the waiting
room. t'sFp iN
SHOW her in," said Dollar. 81