The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1923-02-04

that convicted Timmins. They'd
never have thought of him other
wise. He'd arranged 1t all so
we'll, with the open back window,
and the front door standing ajAr.
Besides, Wyeth was his best
friend. That was almost conclu-
sive evidence in his favor. Men
don't kill and. rob their best
friends. Certainly not men like
Timmins, who in all his twenty
seven years had never mark
against him. 1t was a burglar, Of
course. Everybody said so. Said
so. that is, until the dead name
hand was opened. You have q
dread of burglars, Judson, haven't
YOU?
STODD-I'm too well protected to
dread them very much. BESIDES.
even il they got by bars and bolts
they'd find nothing. No person
on earth, Joseph, except you and
|, know where my money Is.
PELLAGER This gaze turning to
fireplace You would reveal your
secret under threat OF death or
slow torture. You'd tell what a
rich store Of gold and yellow
backs lies behind the begrimed
walls of that old fireplace.
STODD-Never!
PELI4AGER-All, but you would.
What is money when life is gone :?
STODD--What is life when money
is gone? fIrritlbIv.) To the
devil with your story of murder
and burglar suggestions! Are
there no more pleasant subjects
to talk of? Come. join me again.
Joseph. (He rises and begins
rinsin0 glasses, thrOsOing the
4CGter into cuspfdOr.l Another
drink may make you less morbid.
You've filed me>with tie creeps.
PELLAGER T,tsin0 and approach
ing tGble)-Only drop, Judson.
Only a drop. My heart Is pound
ing now. And-1have you any hot
water? Yes? Then a hot toddy.
STOOD taking up. ing and turning
totodrd door at rightJ-Good! A
capital suggestion, Joseph. (Erits
d right
PELLAGER-And, some sugar, Jud-
son. And a lemon. (As he speaks
ne nerOOusly dTG1os rial from
pocket, extracts stopper and
reaching for Stodds glass, drib-
bles q fen drops into 1t.
STOOD dretnrning)-No lemons,
Joseph. Lemons are luxuries.
drops sugar in OlasseS) The
whisksy now, Joseph.
(PeHGger p0nrs liquor With
nerUously shaking> hand. Then
sets decdnter dot0n on table 1oith
sharp thud. StOdd takes up de.
cGnter and poursshis oaon drink.
Then pOurs hot todter for both,
t,oistin0 the Spooms.J
STOOD taking up glGsS)-Now,
then, Joseph. To the keeping of
the little store intact for her
that's to inherit it. (Wags has
head toUdrd the frepldce.)
PELLAGER (stGrttng in surprise
and setting dO1On his glass
Gbruptly)-For her! What's this?
AS Stodd's glass goes to his
mouth he ShOuts): Judson! Stop!
One moment! Then, under his
breath, as StOdd takes single
sWalIono.) Good God! Too late!
STOOD (pGusing, perplered)--
What is it, Joseph? What's
seized you? Is it that can't
leave my money where I please?
tPelIGger StG0gers back to chair,
his hand pressed to his heart, his
face drdUn dske10 10ith pain.
u. StOdd tusheS to him and cases
him, into the chGir.) Joseph!
Joseph! You're/ill, man. What
shall l fetch you?
PELLAGER (shdking his head. the
spasm passing)-For her that's
to inherit it!
STODD-Of course. Who should
have it but your Maggie? 1t will
be enough to keep you and your
good wife from worry in your old
days. You know what think of
Maggie. You know what l think
of her mother. What l think of
you, Joseph.
PELLAGER cleaning fortodrd
eagerly and scanning StOdd'S
face)-Oh, God, work thou a
miracle!
STODD-Could you think I'd leave
a penny to that grandson Of
mine? To that migrate, that
spendthrift. that
PELLAGER (dbruptIy Cehement)-
l did think! | did think! /
thought nothing else. You never
spoke. You never gave hint.
STODD-Hint! OF course l gave
hint--a strong hint. told you