The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1920-03-11


ulties. The Sword OF Damocles was
about TO fall
All night. In the silent. empty
apartment, under the brilliant lights
Harry strobe up and down. his face
white, his hands clenched. confront
ing the blank wall that reared before
him. Temptation. In Its most insid'
ious form. fell upon him. Why
should he not braxen II out7 After
all. the burden OF proof was upon his
sccuser. lie had destroyed tho roc
ord-card which had held his physical
measurements. Jubilee Jim could he
depended upon 10 swear To his pres
ence at the bungalow thru the win.
ter: wild horses would drag no other
story from his faithful lips. Such an
abb would hold.
Was he not doubiy justified In this
deception He was really innocent
The new Cause needed him. Had he
any right to fling himself away
Yet, to perjure himself To bind
that faithful servant on the mountain
TO n perjury-which would shadow
the eternal burning!
Harry flung himself suddenly on
his knees. lie knew that he uttered
no word. but all his being seemed
to resolve itself into an inarticulate
cry for aidance. IL was the first ap-
peal OF his life to the Infinite. II was
the last step OF the long way Harry
had traveled-from establishment to
remorse and awakening conscience,
thru struggle with appetite TO victory
over himself. self'abnegauon, acaui
escenco In the great law OF retribu'
ton, and, finally. to prayer.
And out OF the deep to which he
had called. calmness at length came
TO him. and with IL clear and steady
purpose.
Before the hotel had awakened.
Harry was In his own apartment
He had left a note for Brent. saying
briefly that he should not appear
that day. but would be with the com
mittee at o'clock He had sent the
same message also TO Judge Allen.
He told Suzuki to admit no one. and
thereafter remained at his desk writ
ing, plate OF sandwiches ut his
elbow. bending himself to the final
arrangement OF the details OF his per-
sona affairs.
As the mantel-clock struck seven.
he laid the last written paper In
the desk drawer. and. rising. went In
to his dressing room. He ba,hcd and
dressed the last time In his life. per.
haps. he told himself. that he should
don the evening habiliments OF a
gentleman. For the blow would not
be delayed. Tomorrow. no doubt. the
state would ring with his downfall.
When Harry opened the outer door
OF his apartment ne did not pass
thru. Three men had been waiting
silently Just across the threshold.
One OF them was Craig. They en-.
tered without a word. Craig shut the
door and one OF the others took hiss
stand before IL.
The purpose In Craig's face left no
cause for any speculation as TO their
Intent. Harry looked at the others
two companions. perfect types OF the
hecier, bury and with brutally
cunning featured They were not In
uniform--it was not an arrest. then.
What did Craig intend to dor
Craig carried bundle under his
arm. He snapped the cord and dis
closed prison costume. Around one
arm OF the jacket was n isnthcrn
band which bore a metal number
1891
Put them on commanded Craig
shortly. over what you are wear.
ing. They'll be large enough"
Harry drew on the loathsome gar.
ments. Craig had taken from his
pocket a black cloth mask. Now
this he said. Il am disposed to miss
no realistic touch. believe me-"