The spectator., 1922-06-02

| back-was banished instantly. l Alan led her into the room across from the library.
 You shouldn't have come in," he said. "I shouldn't have let you in 1; but-you saw him." "Yes."
 Do you know himT' | "Know him?" She shook her head.
 'I mean, you've never seen him be- fore?"
 "No."
 His name Is Luke-he speaks of himself by that name. Did you ever hear my father mention a man named LukeT"
 No; never"
 Luke's voice cut suddenly their con- versation; the doctor probably had | given him some stimulant.
 "Where'sh Ben CorvetY" Luke de- manded arrogantly of the doctor. You go get Ben Corvet! Tell Ben Corvet I want drink right away. Tell Ben Corvet I want my thousan' dol | lar '"
 
 maid Go out to the car and wait for me-" she commanded. Luke's untitled, heavy voice went on moments while he fought for breath interrupted 1t.
 "You hear me, you d-n Injin! |. You go tell Ben Corvet I want my thousan' dollars. or make 1t two nex' tov Corvet. You let me go. you d-n Injin!" Through the doorway to the library | they could see the doctor force Luke back upon the couch Luke fought him | furiously; then, suddenly as he had stirred to strength and fury. Luke col lapsed again. His voice went on moment more, and rapidly growing weaker:
 You tell Ben Corvet I want my money. or I'll tell. He knows what I'll tell. You don't know. you lnjin devil. Ben Corvet knows, and I know. Tell him I'll tell -. I'll tell I'll tell" The threatening voice stopped suddenly. Constance, very pale. again faced Alan. "Of course, I understand" she said. Uncle Benny has been paying blackmail to this man. For years, per haps. ." She repeated the word after an instant, in a frightened voice. "Blackmaii
 Wont you please go, Miss Sher- rill?" Alan urged her. ''It was good of you to come; but you mustn't stay now. He's-he's dying, of course"
 She seated herself upon a chair. I'm going to stay with you," she said simply. It was not she knew, to share the waiting for the man in the next room to die; in that, of itself. there could be nothing for him to feel It was to be with him while realization which had come to her was settling upon him, too-realization of what this meant to him. He was realizing that. she thought; he had realized it; It made him, at moments, forget her while, listening for sounds from the other room, he paced back and forth beside the table or stood staring away, clinging to the portieres. He left her presently. and went across the hall to the doctor.
 "Is he dead?' Constance heard him ask
 Not yet" the doctor answered; but 1t won't be long, now"
 There's nothing you can do to make him talk-bring him to himself long enough so that he will tell what he keeps threatening to tell?"
 The doctor shrugged. "How many times, do you suppose. he's been drunk and still not told? Coneealment is his established habit now. It's an inhibi- ti0n; even fin wandering, he stops short of actually telling anything"
 Alan came back to Constance Out side. the gray of dusk was spreading. and within the house 1t had grown dark. It was very quiet in the library; she could not even hear Luke's breath ing now. Then the doctor came out to them.
 Its Sver." he said to Alan. There's a law covering these cases; you may not be familiar with 1t. I'll make out the death certificate-pneumoni and a weak heart with alcoholism But the police have to be notified at once you have no choice as to that I'll look after those things for you. If you want"
 ''Thank you; If you will" Alan went with the doctor to the door and saw him drive away. Returning. he drew the library portieres: then. coming back to Constance, he picked up her | mue and collar from the chair where she had thrown them. and held them out to her.
 You'll go now. Miss Sherrill," he said. Indeed. you mustn't stay here your cars still waiting, and-you mustn't stay here in this house '"
 Wont you come over home with me-" she said, 'and walt for father there till We can think this thing out together?"