Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-12-07
CHAPTER XIX
We Haze a Reckoning With CfubfoOt

LOOKED at Clubfoot. L must play MIN
with caution, with method too.
ONLY by acting most exact system
could I hope to hold him in that room for
two hours I had four points to argue with
him and l would devote half an hour to each
of them by the clock on the bracket above
his head. If only 1 could keep him con-
adent in his victory, might hope to prevent
him finding out that was playing with him
but two hours is long time
IL would be a near thing.
So I went straight to the point and told
Clubfoot that I was beaten that he should
have his paper. But there were difficulties
about the execution of both sides Of the bar
pa,n. We had deceived one another. What
mutual guarantees could we exchange that
would give each of us the assurance Of fair
play?
fashion He protested his good faith elabo-
rately, but the gist of his remarks was that
ha held the cards and that. consequently, it
Was he who must be trusted, while I fur
nished the guarantee,
while we were discussing this point the
clock chimed the half-hour.
switched the conversation to Monica,
was not at all concerned about myself, l said
hut must feel sure in my mind that no i'll
should befall her. To this Clubfoot replied
that I might set my mind at ease: the mo-
ment the document was IN his hands he
would give orders for her release: should
no
What guarantee was there. 1 asked that
che would not be detained before she reached
the frontier?
the clock but in placid voice he again pro-
tested that his word was the sole guarantee
he could offer
We discussed this too. My manner was
earnest and nervous I know, and think he
enioyed playing with me. told him frankly
that his reputation belied his protestations
oP good faith. At this he laughed and cyni-
ally admitted that this was quite possibly
"Neyertheless, it is I who give the guaran-
+ee he said In q tone that broolled no con-
tradiction.
The clock struck eleven. One hour to go
"Come Okewood," he added good-natured-
ly, 1--WE waste time. Up to this you've had all
the sport you know. You wouldn't have
me miss the first days shooting I've had this
year Where have you got this letter of
ours"'
hin, address me, you would never have sup
nosed that he was sending me to my death
lie appeared to have forgotten this detail
II meant so little TO him that he probably
had.
I turned to my third point. He made
things very hard for me, said, but I was
the vanquished and must give way. The
trouble was that the document was still IN
two portions and neither half was here.
''You Indicate where the haiveS are hid
den," said Clubfoot promptly II will ac-
company you to the hiding places and YOU
will hand them to me-"
"But they are nowhere near here" I re-
piled.
"Then where are they?" answered Clubfoot
impatiently. Come, 1 am waiting and IT'S
getting late!"
ut will take several days to recover both
portions" muttered unwillingly.
'"rhat does not matter" retorted the other
there is no particular hurry now"
And he smiled grimly.
I dared not raise my eyes to the clock,
for felt the Germans gaze on me- An
intuitve instinct told me that his suspicious
had been awakened by my reluctance. was
very nearly at the end of my resources.
Would the clock never strike?
"I tell you frankly. Herr Doktor," said
in a voice that trembled with anxiety. "I
cannot leave the Countess unprotected while
we travel together to the hiding places OF
the document. l only feel sure OF her safety
while she is near me ="
Clubfoot bent his brows at me-
what do you suggest then?" he said very
sternly.
"You go and recover the two halves at the
places / indicate" I stammered out. ''and
Hs
A fsnt whirr and the silver chime rang
out twice. a3 sfi
Hall an hour inore,s
How stil ne houss vssl ! seula hear