The Washington times., 1920-08-22


library to receive his guests; and as
Robert Baxenter entered he looked
up and smiled at him over the cock
tail he was mixing for the colonel
or Incorporate habits, who, newly
arrived, stood in an anticipatory at
titude at his elbow.
Colonel Purdon-Mr. Robert
Baxenter," and, as the men bowed,
"let me mix you one Of these, Bax-
enter; l learnt the knack in
Canada"
There was no tremor about the
hand OF the master of Adderbury
Tower as he deftly concocted the
fnsidious appetizer, although he
told himself that this was probably
the last time he would dispense hos.
pitality among these luxurious sur
roundings.
But vivian's life had developed to
the full the fatalist in him, and liv-
Ing, as such men do, on the edge of
an eternal volcano, he was ever in
readiness for eventualities and
prepared to face them. The knowl-
edge he had gained this afternoon
was priceless in that II gave him
the start OF his adversaries. II he
must be a fugitive, he would at
least be a wealthy one, and he
would be far away before the hue
and cry was raised against him
he would make quite sure OF that.
: At the dinner table he was the
life of the little party; his fund of
anecdote, his gift of repartee, had
never been used to greater advan-
tage, and seldom had host presided
over more sumptuous or we'll
ordered meal. Even Robert, under
the influences of the mellow vim
tages, found himself taking a re-
luctant pleasure in the repast.
The two young mon from Bar
chester, who were of the party.
frankly enjoyed themselves. They
were decent enough fellows in their
way, with little to speak of but
country pursuits; while Colonel
Purdon was content to Hsten-pro-
vided always that his glass was
kent replenished
Haverton alone seemed to have
changed There was less color in
'he heavy cheeks, and his merri-
ment. forced and intermittent, was
punctuated at intervals by little
spells of moody silence, when he
would sit absently twisting the
stem Of his wine glass or nervously
,rumbling the bread on the table
cIoth before him.
.. AS on the previous night, they
sal late over their coffee and cigars.
and. as before, billiards followed
dinner. 1t was midnight before the
old colonel was helped into his coat
and delivered over to the care of
John TO escort to his home.
AS. a little later, the Barchester
men rose to take their departure.
Dartin made a sign to Eddie that
he should accompany them to the
door. He himself waited behind
for a moment to light his cigar;
then, passing at the back of the
little table near which Robert was
standing, deftly passed his hand
over the solicitors tumbler and
hurried into the hall after Eddie
and his guests.
- Robert Baxenter, left alone,
tossed off the remainder of his
whiskey- -and-soda and threw his
.eigar-end away preparatory to bid.
ding his host good night. He did
not relish spending longer with his
anemies--the night had passed
quicker than he had thought.
What a long time they we're. He
would go to bed. Why, what was
fhis?-
80. He raised a trembling hand to
his forehead. The room spun wild
1y-the pictures joined the furni.
cure in fantastic dance-the green
Cloth Of the billiard table seemed
to sway and glide beneath his feet.
T..~.And, spinning dizzily on his heel,
Robert Baxenter fell heavily and
lay huddled upon the rug before the
fireplace.
The sound of the big front door
closing behind the departing guests
sounded through the quiet hall, and
Haverton turned and faced Dartin.
And now" he said, "for the Or
deal"
Dartin laughed unpleasantly.
mot necessary. I think, Eddie,
my boy, that Mr.. Robert Baxenter
won't cause us any great inconven.
ience-wait," The speaker tiptoed
back along the hall and stood peer.
ing through the crack of the billiard.
room door. Come" he added, and
beckoned to Haverton; friend Rob-
ert Is dead in this act"
The two men entered the room
and stood looking down at the silent
figure on the hearth-rug. The
younger man was murmuring to
himself, "It was white rug last
time"
Eddie Haverton looked up sharply.
whats that you're muttering
there TO yourself, man-what does
this mean hes not-not'--
dead? Lord, no! 1t means that
you and I, being in the same boat,
must set a course for harbourage.