The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-06-02

I
You know that there will be
devil of row?"
That will be your lookout. Their
genuineness will be your iustif1ca-
ton"
The editor looked thoughtfully out
the window. His face was as hard
as granite but he had very gray, hui
man eyes.
I'VE should have no compunction
about bringing the thunders down
upon Kendall" he said. But with
Lord Kindesrley it is a little different
He is a considerable and reputable
figure in society"
He might survive the disclosures, -
I suggested After all, there was a
certain amount of justification for his
conduct. He averted a national dis
aster, even if the means he used were
immoral"
"A case can be built up for him,
certainly" the editor remarked mu-
singly. What is your price for these
documents?"
Ten thousand pounds, and they
must not be used before Thursday" I
replied.
Why not before Thursday"
Il have given Lord Kindersley so
much grace"
You will leave the documents in
our hands?" the editor proposed.
I considered the matter. I could
think of nothing likely to alter my
plans, but I was conscious Of a curl
Gus aversion to taking the irrevoc-
able step.
You shall have them agreed,
IF you will give me a letter acknowl'
edging that they are my property. and
promising to return them to me with
out publication. should I desire 1t. on
Wednesday afternoon"
What about the money!" the edi-
tor asked DO you want anything on
account"
You are prepared to give me the
10 900 pounds?"
He shrugged his shoulders.
We never bargain" he said. There
is no standard value for such goods as
you offer. The question is whether
YOU want anything in advance?"
NO, thank you" I answered. III
have the whole amount on Wednes-
day afternoon, or the documents back
again. I think that it viii be the
money"
II trust So" my two editorial
friends replied in fervent unison.
On Wednesday morning the Kin
dersIey Shipping Company shares
stood at three and three-quarters, and
a brief notice in the Times announced
that HIS Lordship was confined to
his house in S. Audley St. suffering
from a severe nervous breakdown.
Some idiotic impulse prompted me,
after I had paid my brief visit to my
office, to take a stroll in that direc-
ton. A doctors carriage was wait
ing outside Kindersley House. and as
I passed on the other side Of the way,
the front door opened and the doctor
himself stood on the threshold. The
thought Of Lord Kindersley-s suffer
ings had, up to the present. inspired
in me no other feeling than one Of
mild amusement. BY the side of the
doctor, however, Beatrice kndersley
was standing
knew then that the end Of my
career must be close at hand. l was
weakening. My nerve had gone. The
instincts Of childhood were returning
TO me. The morbid curiosity which
had, brought me to the house had been
gratifed with a vengeance. 1 had re
ceiyed a psychological stroke. The
girls drawn and tear-stained face had
disturbed the callousness which 1
had deemed impregnable. A new
scheme was forcing It's way into my
mind. There was only one redeem
ing point about it ALL walked for
the next few hours in peril Of my life.
$50
At half-past two that afternoon
Beatrice Kindersley fastened into
the little morning room on the ground
floor Of K1ndersley House to receive
an unexpected visitor Her lips parted
in amazement as she saw who It was.
held up my finger.
Colonel Escombe," I reminded her.
Your she exclaimed.
knew that there was not a flaw
in my makeup or department. was
the Colonel Escombe who had attend
ed Norman Greyes wedding, and
whose presence there had led to some
slight question concerning a pearl
necklace.
What do you want?" she asked
breathlessly.
ITO help you" answered. II saw
you this morning, and you seemed
in trouble"
She smiled at me gratefully, but a
moment later her face was clouded
with anxiety.
ut Is dear Of you" she said, but
you must go away at once. You are
running a terrible risk. Sir Norman
Greyes is in the house. He is with
my uncle now"
What is he doing here?" I de-
manded.
My uncle sent for him to see If he
could help. There is some serious
trouble. I don't know what it Is, but
my uncle says that 1t means ruin"
At the thought Of the near pres
ence of my old enemy, my whole being
seemed to stiffen. Yet, alas, the weak
ness remained!
Tell me-" said, what does your
distress mean? Has your uncle al
ways been good to you? Is it for his
sake that you are unhappy"
Entirely" she answered without
hesitation. IT know that a great
many people call him hard and un-
scrupulous. To me he has been the
dearest person in the world. 1t