Evening star., 1922-02-12
BY THE CLOCK

"A breathless game. and we'll
played" Achisen applauded himself.
And you, Ramsey, added to the zest
Of it by interjectiAg an element Of
real danger. I enjoyed that for 2
time. but you gave me too close
run for my money"
Ramsey did not propose to let him
stop with this. rs he seemed in
clinsd.
you have answered me-" he said.
but not completely. Have you ever
paused to think-surely a man Of
your mental equipment must have
done 50 many times-that your gain
can never bs commensurate with the
risk. You stand to lose life. liberty
and reputation, all that makes hv-
ing really worth while. You must
also have considered the percentages
against you in the game!"
"Of course" Aehison nodded
shortly. then paused. drawing his
eyebrows together. still. one can
always learn, even from the ant one
crushes under foot Perhaps We are
not thinking Of the same percentages.
TO Just which do you refer?"
WELL" Ramsey took his time In
lighting . fresh cigarette. zone is
that Of the human element. Every
man who has ever tried to play
gambling system knows that al
though it will work out faultlessly
on paper. it rarely does SO In fact.
The human element enters and the
player allows his hopes and fears, or
the advice Of others, to sway his
judgment.
Then there il the element of the
unexpected. In making 4 plan. you may
take into account every possible
contingency. but in 4its Of all your
precautions, the unexpected will enter
by some unseen door.
''Stzl another! cannot put it very
clearly into words. but you will per-
hans grasp my meaning. BY the action
of some obscure and iittle-underBtood
Law, when one instrument Of retribution
falls anotasr takes its place. You get
rid Of nsthing when you dispose Of me.
Aehison; for In another shape, you
will still have to meet and cope with
what I have stood for in my rela-
tion to you"
k Aehison stirred uneasily. He had
Z slight sensation OF chill; the lights
in the room seemed suddenly dim
msr. 1t was n IL = shadow fell
across his spirit. He shook OF the
.u~~n.%saN nnatSSnflv
'I have ~ yet no prsmonition that
my star fails me. think it will give
mo due warning"
He got up, and lifted Ramsey's re-
volver from the table.
'It had . silencer? That's good.
considering that will have to dis
charge two cartridges"
stNJoT yet" Ramsey At last VEN
~ tured to glance openly at the
clock. an hour and . quarter had
gone by, but he wanted to be on the
safe side. "Give me fifteen minutes
more. have q fancy to die on the
stroke Of the clock"
AcAison frowned.
Sorry" he said, "but this is getting
Z bit on my nerves. I want it over.
A disgusting business. but damn it.
you have left me no choice"
Revolver in hand. he stepped over
behind Ramsey and began fumbling
with the cords which bound him to
the chair. ..
when free ysu. get up" he ord
cred. Uuless you want to be shot
sitting ana from behind" -
'Ne!" Ramsey spoke with sudden
Sharpness. you are not going to
shoot me, Achison. You can't do 1t.
Although you ana I have been sitting
alone in this room all this time, yet
there has been = witness. Your
clever scheme is known in all It's de-
tails"
Aehison started. then gave a short
dsrisive laugh.
you're cfaxy."
II am net crazy. Like every other
criminal, sou overlooked = detail"
Ramssy's voice rang out solemn and
convincing. '.The record from your
dictaphone which you sent to the
newspaper contained also q message
dictated BY me while you were out
Of the reem. ny this time It has been
Transcribed. and men ere on their way
here to my rescue. go
AcAisen ewung around in front Of
Ramsey and loomea above him. his
hands diSginx deep into wallacss
shoulders. his eyes bulginE, his teeth
baPed.
"You liarr
AS il in confirmation, the shrek