Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-06-16

seat,
Have you got the keyi' Bob asked,
swiftly.
Yes. Help me! He's tainted,
think"
They lifted the half-conscious man
out, then with him between them strug-
gled up the steps. but Hammon's feet
dragged. he hung very heavy in their
arms
Merkle was not a strong man, he
was painting. and his hands shook as
he fumblcd with the lock. The icy
escaped him and tinkled upon the
stone.
Hurry. Here comes the watch
man." Bob was gazing over his shout
der ut the slowly approaching figure.
A second but brlefer delay, and they
stood in the gloom Of the marble foyer
hall. Then they shuflled across the
floor to the great, curylng stairway.
Harmon had assured them that there
would be no one in the house except
Orson, his man, and some of the kitch-
en- servants, the others having followed
their mistress to the country: neyerthe
less the rescucrs' nerves We're painfully
taut. and they tried to 90 as silently
as burglars: when they finally gained
the library, they were drenched with
perspiration. Merkle switched on the
lights they deposited the wounded
man on a couch ana bent oyer him.
Harmon was not dead Merkle felt
his way into the darkened regions at
the rear and returned with glass of
spirits Under his and Bob's ministra-
tons The unconscious man opened his
eyes.
You got ne here. didn't your he
whispered, as he took in his surround
ines. Now go--ey erything is all
right"
We're not going to leave YOU"
Merl,le said, positively.
"NoN' echoed Bob. 'I'll wake up Or
son while John telephones the doctor"
But Harmon forbade Bob's move
ment Win a frown. 1t was plain that
despite his weakness his mind re-
manned clear.
Listen to me-" he ordered. prop
me up-put NE in that chair. I'm
choking" They did as he directed
"I'hats better. Now, you mustn't be
ri sc
explain He checked Merkle. II
know best Go home; it's only two
bloel1s--Ill telephone"
you'll ring for Orson quick?"
Harmon nodded.
"Rottcn way to leave man." Bob
mumblcd. 'I'd rather stick it ont and
I face the music"
60. go. You're wasting time"
lannon's brow was wrinklcd with
( pain and anger. you've been good /:
now hurry"
( Merklc's thin face was marked with
[ deep feeling. Yes" he agreed.
There's nothing else for us to do; but
I tell Orson to phone me quick, I'll be
back here In five minutes" Then he
and Bob stole out Of the house as quiz
city as they had stolen in.
! They got into the cab and drove
+ away without exciting suspicion.
Mcrke allghted two blocks up the ave.
nue. and sped to his own house: Bob
turned his jaded nag westward through
the sunken road that led toward the
Elegancia and Lorelei.
The owner of the equlpage was watt
inc patiently, and there still lacked
something of the allotted hour when
the exchanged garments had been
transferred to their respective owners.
Bob walked toward the Elegancia with
a feeling Of extreme fatigue in his
limbs, for the effort to conquer his in
toXication had left him weak; he dimly
realized also that he was still far from
sober.
There was no answer when he rang
at Lilas Lynn's apartment; the hall
boy volunteered the information chat
the occupant had just gone out with a
gentleman. Miss Knight? Yes, she
was upstairs. he supposed. Bob was
surprised at his wife's apparent self
control when she let him in. Except
for the slim hand pressed to her bosom
and the anxiety Turing in her deer
blue eyes, she might have just come
from the theater. Those eyes. he not
ed. were very dark, almost black, un
der this emotional stress; they ques
toned him, mutely.
1--WE got him home MI right" he tolt
hnr xv1tau thuv otnoI fanjna ia ,,h ntt,a,