The spectator., 1922-06-02

taIk Into the swollen WnlSky-eOaked hulk of the man dying now on the lounge.
 For his state that day the man blamed Benjamin Corvet. Alan, fore ing himself to touch the swollen face, shuddered at thought of the truth un- deriving that accusation. Benjamin Corvet's act-whatever it might be that this man knew-undoubtedly had destroyed not only him who paid the blackmail but him who received it; the effect of that act was still going on, destroying, hlighting. Its threat of shame was not only against Benjamin Corvet; 1t threatened also all whose names must be connected with Cor vets. This shame threatened Alan; it threatened also the Sherrills. What Sherrill had told Alan and even Cor vets gifts to him had not been able to make Alan feel that without ques- tion Corvet was his father, but now shame and horror were making him feel it; in horror at Corvets act whatever 1t might be-and in shame at Covert's cowardice, Alan was think ing of Benjamin Corvet as his father. This shame, this horror were his in- heritance
 He left Luke and went to the win dow to see If the doctor was coming He had called the doctor becausefn his first sight of Luke he had not recog- nized that Luke was beyond the aid
  doctor under such circumstances was the right thing to do; but he had thought of the doctor also as wit ness to anything Luke might say But now--did he want a witness? He had no thought of concealing anything for his own sake or for his fathers; but he would, at least, want the chance to determine the circumstances under which it was to be made public.
 He hurried back to, Luke What is it, Luke?" he cried to him. "What can you tell? Listen! Luke-Luke, Lukel"
 Luke had sunk into stupor; Alan shook him and shouted in his ear without awakening response. As Alan strengthened and stood hopelessly look ing down at him, the telephone bell rang sharply. Constance Sherrlll's voice came to him; her first words made it clear that she was at home and had just come in
 "The servants tell me some one was making disturbance beside your house while ago. she said, "and Is there something wrong theref Have you discovered something?'
 He shook excitedly while. holding his hand over the transmitter lest Luke should break out again and she should hear it. he wondered what he should say to her.
 "Please don't ask me just now, Miss Sherrill," he managed. "Tu tell you what I can-later."
 His reply. he recognized, only made her more certain that there was some thing the matter. but he could not add anything to 1t. He found Luke, when he went back to him, still in coma the bloOdShot Nelns stood out against the ghastly grayneSs of his face, and his stertorouS breathing sounded through the rooms
 
 Constance Sherrill had come in few moments before from an after noon reception; tn" servants told her at once that something was happening at Mir Corvet's. They had heard shouts and had seen man pounding upon the door there. but they had not taken it upon themselves 10 go over there. She had told the chauffeur to wait with the motor and had run at once to the telephone and called Alan; his attempt to put her off made her certain that what had happened was not finished but was still going on.