Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-02-25
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"NIATURALLY!" he snarled ",
~ quite understand that you tool
good care Of that! Who drove you? ~
Hawkins"
Drunk as usual, I suppose! Brai,
too fuddled to ask questions!"
That's not true," she cried ou
sharply. "Hawkins hasn't touched ,
drop for a year"
"All right" snapped DR.. Crang
"Havc 1t that way, then! Being in hi
dotagc, he makes good blind, ever
sober. And so you went for little rid,
with Mr.. John Bruce tonight?"
Claire Veniza was wringing her hand
as she glanced in an agony Of appre
hension at the wounded man on tn,
floor.
"Yes."'' she said; "but---but won
"And where did you first meet Mr.
John Bruce, and how long ago?" HI
jerked out.
Claire veniza's great brown eyes wild
ened.
"Why, I never saw him in my lif,
until tonight :" she exclaimed. "Ant
he wasn't in the car ten minutes. Haw.
kins drove back to the corner just as h,
always does with father, and Mr.. Bruce
got out. Then Hawkins drove me home
and went uptown to get father. II
wish they were here now ~
DR.. Crang was gritting his teeth to.
nj oil tu1N ox,,~a
tinging his cheeks. He moved q little
closer to the girl.
I'm glad TO hear you never saw MIR
Bruce before he said cunningly. "You
must have Travelled fast then--meta :
phorically speaking. Love at first sight,
eh? A cooling exchange of condolences
or was it all on one side? You told him
who you were, and where you lived,
and"
II did nothing Of the kind" Claire
Veniza interrupted angrily. II did not
tell him anything
"Just strictly business then, of
COURSE" DIR. Crang moved a step still
nearer to the girl. "In that case he
must have pawncd something, and as
Lavergne sends nothing but high priced
articles to your father. we shall prob
ably find quite sum of money in Mr..
Bruce's pockets. Eh-Claire?"
She bit her lips. She still did not
quite understand-only that she bit
terly regretted now, somehow. that she
had removed the money from John
Bruce's person; only that the drug
crazed brain Of the man in front of her
was digging. had dug. a trap into which
she was falling. What answer was she
to make? What was she TO-
hn hro l.
but too late to save herself. A face
now; hands that clamped like a steel
wise. and that hurt, were upon her
shoulder and throat.
"You lie!' DR.. Crang shouted
hoarsely. You've lied from the min
ute I came into this room. John Bruce
huh! know now why you have al
ways refused to have anything to do
with me. That's why! - He loOsened
one hand and pointed to the figure on
the floor.
"lIow long has this been going on?
How long have you been meeting him?
Tonight is nothing. though you worked
1t well. Hawkins to take you for a
little joy ride with your lover while
fathers away. Damned clever You
left him on that corner-and he's here
wounded! How did he get wounded? :?
You never saw him before. You never
heard of him! You told him nothing
about yourself. lIn didn't know where
you lived--he could only find the pri-
vate entrance! Just know enough about
you to climb in through your back win
dow like n skewered dog But. Of
course. your story is true, because in
his pockets will be the money you gave
l.. ,hnA ho bal
look and see how much it was?"
She tore herself free and caught at
her throat, gasping for breath.
"You--you beast" she chOked "No
You needn't look took 1t from him,
and put 1t in the safe over there be-
fore you came--to keep 1t away from
you.'
DR.. Crang swept a hand across his
eyes and through his hair with savage,
jerky movement. and then he laughed
immoderately.
What a little liar you are! Well,
then, two can play at the same game.
! lied to you about your lover there.
| said there was nothing could save him.
Yes. yes, Claire. my dear. lied" lie
knelt suddenly, and suddenly intent and
studied John Brucc's face,
and felt again for the pulse beat at
John Brucc's wrist. Pretty near the
limit" he stated coolly. "Internal
bleeding" He threw back his shoulders
in strangely egotistical way. mot
many men could do anything; but I,
Sydney Angus Crang. could Ha, ha!
In ten minutes he could be on the road
to recovery-but ten minutes. other
wise. is exactly the length of time he
has to live"
An instant Claire Veniza stared at
him. Her mind reeled with chaos, with
terror and dismay.
Then do something" she implored
wildly. "lf you can save him, do 1t!
You must! You shall !"
"Why should II" he demanded. His
teeth were clamped hard together. "Why
should I save your lover? No--damn
him :"
She drew away from him, and. sud-
denly on her knees, buried her face In
her hands and burst into sobs.
"rhis--this is terrible-terrble :"
she cried out. "lIas that frightful stuff
transformed you into an absolute fend?
Arc you no longer even human?'
Flushed. curious look of hunger In
lis eyes, he gazed at her.
"I'm devilishly human in some re-
,pects!" His voice rose, out of con-
rol. II want you! have wanted you
rom the day saw you."
She shivered. Her hands felt sud.
ienly icy as she pressed them against
..Thsnk God. then," she breathed
'tor this. at least-that you will never
yee mel. -,