Evening star., 1921-06-19

5 TOO LATE GARTH UNDERSTOOD
goodbye to New York. 1t was some
thing thought of last night. II
seemed common sense to forget it this
morning. Now. I'm going to make
sure. No time to talk"
He ran swiftly west. past the house
on the corner, where the man had left
the first coin. past the areaway where
he had secreted himself last night.
into Park avenue. always on the
when he came to Blacks number he
saw lights burned in the upper story
OF the small but expensive house. He
pressed the electric button. signing
his relief. He was grimly determined
to see the thing through. So when
ing-man he did not hesitate.
Garth gave him a glimpse OF his
badge. pushed past, and entered the
reception hall. The servant turned.
staring at him with insolent eyes.
you'll have to get out OF here.
What do you mean by forcing"
MIR. Black! Mr.. Black"
"who is that? What's all this row,
Arnold:"
I'm sorry. Mr.. Black" Garth said
hurriedly. It have to speak to you
about something too important to
Qelay.
He paused. embarrassed. reluctant
to go on, for in the brightly lighted
doorway of the living room a woman
had appeared. small. with an extraor-
binary grace of figure and face
which. in a trivial. light-hearted way.
impressed him as rarely beautiful.
She wore evening dress. wrap was
draped across her arm. Her resem-
bIance to Manford established her
identity beyond debate.
1T makes no difference. John. You
weren't coming any way: I'll tell
Aunt Sarah why--business"
Garth breathed more freely. He
waited until he was sure she was
started for her reception or dance,
unsuspecting the desolation he had
brought into her home. Then. he
swung on Black.
He indicated the living room.
Black followed with uncertain steps.
The light shone on his sallow face
out of which heavy eyes looked dis
trustfully.
What do you want?" Black asked.
What does Manford want?"
Don't trouble to sit down. Mr..
Black" Garth directed. I've little
time-just enough to tell you that
I'm on to you.
Black. with an odd. hating motion,
reached the center table. His fingers
u
silver box and essayed to strike a
match. The wood splintered. He
fumbled aimlessly about the table.
He took the unlighted cigarette from
his mouth. He stammered:
"Wh-what the devil do you mean?"
too scared. I'm the only one who
knows"
who are you?"
Garth threw hack his coat lapel,
momentarily his badge
Blacks voice rose on a shrill note.
ITS a lie! It's a lier'
Il watched you last night" he said.
planting money here and there-a
pretty, generous fancy, just to give
people the joy Of finding 1t. Men
don't do such things in their right
that you were the brother-in-law Of
the head Of an organization that was
after these cases put me of the
track. Thought you were working
for him. Now that I've had a good
look at you; there's no question"
This is blackmai!," said Black.
IT have my price" Garth admitted.
Black sat on the table edge.
I'll put them on TO- you down.
town-through Manford."
You! You'd never have the nerve.
at you" ~ '
Black fumbled in one of the draw
ers. He lifted out a check book.
How much?" he asked, with dry
lips.
mot money" Garth said.
when I saw you making a fool of
yourself last night" he went on. you
had come straight from a house you are
going to get me in tonight"
The check book fiuttered to the floor.
"Wh--what is it?" 81"
ITO save a woman" Garth answered.
they've trapped her there. and that
she means too much to me
you mean you love her. Then may
be you can understand. What about
0PLAcK." Garth said, quietly, you
stand better chance Of sparing
your wife II you meet my price. !
promise to do all can to keep you
out Of the scandal. I'll get you away
clean If it can be done. All ask is
that. for your wife's sake. you'll try
If you refuse to do this thing, I'll
shout the thing from the housetops.
I'll take you to q cell within the next
ten minutes. What about your wife
then? Look at me. I'm not blufling.
I hate 1t, but I've no choice. It's life
and death to me, and, since it's all
I've got. I'm going to use your repu-
tation to make it life"
You do mean it. l can't do 1t. I
tell you can't do it." ~,
Garth. reached out and graSped the
telephone. Black stumbled to his
feet and tore at Garth's arm.
What are you going to do?"
Call for patrol wagon to drive up
to your exalted home"
mo, no. mol"
'Then you agree?"
Then agree"
The CLEAN in Blacks eye was re-
yealing. 1t retarded Garth's relief.
It warned him that entering the
place alone, he could be handled, as,