Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1922-06-22
Even as the words left Blackman's

Even as the words left Blackman'sl
lips. they heard the football OF a man
descending the stairs - narrow. ILL
made stairs they were which creaked
and wheezed under the heavy tread.
David stifened with the %apprehen-
passed on down the pas
sage and entered the front room.
That is Langrode?" David asked.
ut is Langrode,," Israel .Blackman
answered. Il have known Paul
Langrode for many years. He is a
sutton for Virginia's hand. Hear the
worst. sir. He am to mes offered
me money and a position of impor-
lance at home if / could help. You
were to be asked here for supper.to-
night and they would make their
truth out of me and I saw the horror
,of it. I am ashamed. Tell me what
to do. anda.I will do it. Shall l steal
from the house and fetch the po-
uce,?' -. @ e
II think not" the young man de-
cided cody. ''For one thing. they
would. certainly not allow you to
pass. l should suggest that we have
supper. unless you think that we
ought to wait for Miss Martin.
Israel BlacKman,s eyes dilate6. lie
staredTat his companion in amaze
ment. il 4 X. i, q
Supper .ss4he faltered. "But they
are planning to kill you, these men,.
They may make their plans, &Da-
vid said with a smile. but l am not
so easy, to kill. And in any CASE.
he went on, taking his accustomed
cAof stxryh = - M il, =. E{~r% - y J,,vov -
condemned man is offered a meal
before he mounts the scanold. Ev-
erything, l see, is cold. Let me take.
the liberty of helping myself"
Blackman relapsed into his chair
at the head of the table. There was
a small joint of beef. upon the table.
David drew it towards himself.
IF you will allow me, will
carve" he continued. Your fingers
seem to be a little shaky. So! Now.
Israel Blackman," he went on, pass
the wine and remember this. II
they are listening outside and hear
US taking supper, they will probably
wait. They will\ not believe that%you
proceed as though nothing had hap
pened, while we reflect" !
you are a brave man, sir" Black
ma muttered,t as he passed the bot
tie of red wine. 4
81 am a man who intends to i've
David answered cody. II have had
relatives who have died at the hands
OF assassinsr l do not think that that
will ever be my fate. Drink with me
to my safety, Israel Blackman.''
! They clinked glasses together and
drank. Even Israel Blackman was
gaining courage az he watched his
guest proceed with his meal with ex-
cellent appetite.
II saw n three men as l entered y
the latter observed. They were
hanging about the gate. Exactly; OPP
postte was a policeman. Perhaps
they might have made their attempt
then but for that. fact. They hope
probably that l will remain here uh-
til dusk when the thing will be cas-
ier.Hp
Once again israeli Blackman's face
was blanched with fear. He laid
down the knife and fork which he
was pretending to use. rs
"Listen!" he muttered. That is
the front door. They are coming
into the house, those others!'
Both men leaned a little forward
in their places. There was for a mo-
ment Sor two complete silence in the
little room, a. silence curipusly like
the pause before the breaking OF a
thunderstorm. when beasts and birds
their shelters. From outside came
the dull monotonous sound Of prom
enading footsteps. upon the asphalt
pavement. the shrill laughter. Of
girls, the lclang' of. a bicycle bell, the
throb Of y motor engine. A wagon
cite full OF excursionists from Ep-
ping rolled by. singing in. lively