The Tomahawk., 1917-04-05

IarranC, reclining on Ills uA'An'
| flowing robes Of white, and he LOOKUP
at me.
"tOne man in his time plays many
parts,'" he quoted. "But, seriously
shouldn't like my business friends 10
see me now"
Steps, as of clogs, were heard out
side, and Emmanuel entered, in com
pany with Miss Gladys, who was wear
ing a gown with lace at the sleeves,
and little pearl necklace the gift OF
Robinson. She looked at us in astonlsh-
ment; and when Emmanuel threw off
his cloak and stood revealed in toga
and with sandaled feet her amaze
ment was about equal to our sense Of
playing the fool
"Why, my dear Doctor" she be-
gan.
"Never mind, never mind," an
swered Emmanuel briskly. This is
part of a play :,
"But, Doctor, I don't understand.
never heard of such sanitariurl as
you seem to run. Is this part of the
cure?" L.
The little doctor was staring at her
in disgust. Evidently the venemous
Claudia was wary and, warned by
some instinct of approaching danger,
absolutely refused to make her ap-
pearance. But Miss Gladys was al
ways gentle.
"Well, Doctor" she said, sitting
down on a carved chair which locked
like the section of a boat, what is
w, What am 7 fn do ''
"Why, we will just have a little
VISIT" answered Emmanuel. He was
parrying to gain time. But even he
looked overwhelmed with confusion.
"What setting is this?" Miss Gladys
asked. "Ancient Roman?" g.: ,
Greek, my DEAR" said the Doctor.
purely Greek. No doubt you your
self once knew this setting very WELL"
Miss Gladys laughed. II see you
will never get rid Of that craze OF
yours" she said. do you know, Doc
tor, sometimes I think you ought to
be a patient here, instead OF CHIEF
physician.
We twirled our thumbs. tried to
hide my bare feet under my flowing
robe. The minutes passed in uesul-
tory conversation. The Doctor rose
and, taking an amphora of wine from
an ancient stand, filed two chalices
of purple glass. "Will you drink with
me, Claudia?" he asked.
"Claudia!" said Miss Gladys, sising
up and looking at him with an ex-
preston of distinct terror.
Suddenly the tramp of heavy foot
steps rang out on the flags. Tho door
opened. Seth Robinson burst in.
II couldn't stay away any longer"
he burst out. I'm going to take
Gladys away. I must, Doctor; want
her and I've behaved like a cur when
she was in trouble, poor girl. +"
Suddenly he perceived us in our
Greek attire, the couches, the am
phora with the two cups of wine. He
looked round in amazement, which
rapidly became anger. DIR. Emmanuel
slipped behind him and I heard the
key click in the door,.
"What is all this?" inquired Seth
Robinson angrily.
"Look behind you!" yelled.
He leaped aside, and fortunately-in :
the right direction. There at his side
stood Claudia, livid with fury, her
fists clinched, her eyes blazing. A
surgeons scalpel was quivering in
the wall opposite, in a. direct line with
Robinson's shoulder. She must have
hidden it before she entered.
Emmanuel sprang to the table and
seized the cups of wine. He handed
one to Robinson. "Drink when l give
the signal he Kissed in his ear.
Don't speak, don't question; drink,
for all you want in the world depends
on it,,
Robinson, trembling, took the cup,
and the wine Tapped over it's edge as
he tried to steady it. TO Claudia the
Doctor gave the other. -
"Will you not drink with Cras-
sides?" he asked, assuming the atti-
tude of a POSTMASTER. He raised his
hand. Face her, Seth,' he said in
a lower voice. The man and woman
were almost side by side. Claudia,
holding her cup extended in one hand,
with never a tremor of the glass,
placed the free arm round Robinson's
neck. She looked lovingly and in
quiringly at him. They raised their
glasses together and drained them.
Then Claudia dashed hers down on the
mosaic floor. -.
"You fool" she Kissed. "Now die,
you who scorned mel"
20, come, Gladys, I never scorned
you," said Seth Robinson in a sorrow
full voice. ''Is that why you flung the
knife at me?"
The situation was on the verge Of
pathos. But the denouement came so
swiftly that it's instant purpose es-
capped me. saw Emmanuel spring to
Claudia's side and whisper something
and point to Robinson, saw a look
Of intense terror come into her eyes;
and then she went down, crumpling
heap upon the floor.
you've killed her." shouted Robin
son, leaping at Immanuers throat
"No, my dear boy, I have saved