The midland journal., 1917-07-27
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 it terribly
alarming. Jarvis Hammon's financial
interests were in no condition to with
stand a shock; for 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 mutual respect and af
fection, and, although Merkle was emil
nently practical and Unconditional, he
prayed now as best he could that
Hammon might not be grievously in
jured.
AS the machine drew up to the Ele-
gancia, Jimmy knight leaped to the
running board and said hurriedly:
"Send your driver away"
Merkle did as he was directed, realiz-
ing his worst fears. When he and Jim
stood alone on the walk he inquired
weakly, SIS he-dead"
Jim shook his head and Merkle saw
that he was deeply agitated. "No.
But he's got bullet in his chest"
Together the men entered the build
ing and at the first ring We're admitted
to Apartment No. 1 by Lorelei herself
She led them straight into the library.
Perhaps a quarter of an hour had
elapsed since the shooting, but Jarvis
Harmon still sat in the big chair. He
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"
Harmon took his hand away from his
breast, and Merkle saw that the fingers
were bloody. "Can you get me out Of
here quietly?"
John Merkle rose to his full height
his lips writhed back from his teeth.
Harshly he inquired: "Where is that
woman%
"She's back yonder in her ROOM"
Bob told him. "Sne's ILL.,"
Merkle turned, but, reading his in
tent, Harmon checked him, crying in
a strong voice: "None of that, John.
did it myself. 1t was an-accident."
81 don't believe it,"
Hammon's eyes met those of his ac-
cuser; tine two stared at each other
steadily for a moment.
The ether occupants Of the room had
listened breathlessly; now Lorelei
stirred and Merkle read more than
mere bewilderment in her face. He
opened his lips, but the wounded man
did not wait for him to speak.
"You must believe mew he said, ear
nestly. "It's the truth, and won't
have Lilas inyolved-we've been a
great deal to each other. Tonight
accused her wrongfully. 1t was all my
fault-Tm 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 a doctor
It's a-bad business, of course, but I've
thought it all out, and you must do ex-
actly as l say"
The effort of this long speech told on
the sufferer.
Sweat beaded his face; nevertheless,
his jaws remained firmly set; his
glance was purposeful, his big hands
were gripped tightly over the arms of
the chair There was something su-