Evening star., 1923-11-22

We looked around hlm. lhere
seemed to be something hollow
tonight in these trappings or
- = tinsel. and something not
only hollow, but sardonic In ms con-
nection with them-that he shoulo
Art as a monitor over the honesty
,f those who in turn acted as the
agent of Larmon in an already illicit
traffic.
"oh, hellm said John Bruce sud
denly.
The dealer looked up from the table
surprise mingling with polite dlsap-
proyal. Several of the players
screwed around their heads.
That's what l say" snarled one OF
the latter with an added oath, as a
large stack of chips was swept away
from him.
Some one touched John Bruce on
the elbow. He turned around IL
was one of the attendants.
You are being asked tor Gov
stairs, Mr. Bruce" the man informed
him.
John Bruce followed the attendant
In the hall below the White-hareu
negro doorkeeper came toward nlm.
Il done let him in. Mistuh bruce
anxiously,"' cause he done say. MIS-
tub Bruce, that il was a case OF mos'
particular illness. sub, and
John Bruce did not wait for more
1t was Vaniza probably-a turn 1oI
the worse. He nodded. and passed
hurriedly along the hail TO where
near the door, a poorly dressed man
hat in hand and apparently someWha
ill at ease in his luxurious surround
ings. stood waiting.
''I am Mr.. Bruce, he SAID quickly,
Some one is critically i'll, you say
Is 1T Mr. Veniza?"
NO, sir" the man answered. Il
don't know anything about MI. We
MIA. It's Hawkins"
"Hawkins" calculated John Bruce
YES, sirc' said the man. Hhe shut
fed his feet. Il guess you know
John Bruce for a moment made nc
comment. Hawkins! Yes. he knew
Hawkins had even renounced his
pledge. hadn't he? Not, perhaps, tha'
that would have made any differ
ence!
.Bad?" he asked tersely.
I'm afraid so, sir" the man re-
piled. "I've seen a good bit of HaW-
kins off and on in the last two years
SIR. because l room in the same house
but I've never seen him like this. He :
been out of his head and clawing the
air, sir, if you know what | mean
He's over that now, but that weak
he had me scared once, sir. that he'd
gone"
What does the doctor say? John
Bruce bit off his words.
The man shook his head.
He wouldn't have once, sir. It's
you he wants. You'll understand, sir
that he's been alone. ! don't know
how long ago he started on this spree
1t was only by luck that / walked into
his room tonight. l vas for getting a
doctor at once, of course, but he
wouldn't have it: he wanted you. AT
times, sir he was crying like a baby
only he hadn't the strength of one
left. knowing | could run her. me
being a motor truck driver, he told me
to take that car he drives and so
to the hotel for you. and if you
weren't there to try here-which I've
done. sir, as you see. and hope you'll
come back with me. don't know
what to do. though I'M for picking
up a doctor on the way back whether
he wants one or not
John Bruce turned abruptly. Sc
cured his coat and hat. motioned the
man to lead the way, and followed
the other out of the house and down
the steps to the sidewalk.
The travelling pawn-shop was at the
curb. The man opened the door. and
John Bruce stepped inside-and was
instantly flung violently down upon a
seat The door closed. The car
started forward And in a sudden
glare of light John Bruce stared into
the muZZle of revolver. and, behind
the revolver. into a bruised and bat
tered face, which was the face of
Doctor Crang.