Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-03-08
THE BREAKING POINT
BY MARY ROBERTS RINEHART

with it's Bible on the lower shelf between
them, while he made preterse at breakfast
ing.
First of ALL" Dick said at last 81 was not
sure I had found the right man. You are the
only Bassett in the place, however, and you ro
registered from my town. So [ to0k cnance.
l suppose the headache was not genuine
Bassett hesitated.
|No,' he said at last.
What you really wanted to do was to sec
ne, tnen?"
"In way. yes"
III ask you one more question. It may
clear the air. Does this mean anything to
you? I'll tell you now that it doesn't to me-
From his pocketbook he took the note adj
dressed to David, and passed it over the table.
Bassett looked at him quickly and took It.
Before you read it, I'll explain something.
1t was not sent to me. 1t was sent to my-to
Doctor David Livingstone. 1t happened TO
fall into my hands. I've come long way to
find out what it means"
He paused and looked at the reporter
straight in the eyes. I'm laying my caros
on the table, Bassett. This &C., whoever ne is,
is clearly warning my uncle against you
want to know what he is warning him about
Bassett read the note carefully, and looked
up.
81 suppose you know who &C. is?"
81 do not. Do your"
"I'll give you another name, and maybe
you'll get it. name that think will mean
something to you. Beverly Carlysle.'
Inc aCCreSS!
Bassett had an extraordinary feeling OF
unreality, followed by one of doubt Either
the fellow was darned good actor, Or
Sorry" Dick said slowly. don't seem
to get it. I don't know that C. is as im-
portant as his warning. That notes warn
ing.
Yes It's a warning. And don't think
you need to tell me to tell you what about"
Concerning my uncle, or MYSELF"
Are you trying to put it over on me that
you don't knoW?'
That's what I'm trying to do Dick said,
with a sort of grave patience.
The reporter liked courage, when he saw
it, and he was feeling reluctant admiration
by that time.
observed. How long do you suppose it will
be after you set foot on the streets of this
town, before you're arrested? How do you
know I won't send for the police mystelf?"
Il know damned we'll you won't, Dick
said grimly. mot before I'm through with
you. You've chosen to interest yourself in
me. I suppose you don't deny the imputa-
ton in that letter. You'll grant that have
right to know who and what you are, and
just what you are interested in"
"Right-o," the reporter said cheerfully,
glad to get to grips, and to stop fencing that
was getting nowhere. I'm connected with
the Times-Republican, in your own fair city.
I was in the theater the night Gregory recog-
nized you. Verbum sap"
| Inns Gregory is II
ooh, quit it, Clark" Bassett said sud-
denly impatient. THAT letters the last proof
I needed Gregory wrote it after he'd seen
David Livingstone. He wouldn't have written
it if he and the only man hadn't come to an
understanding. I've been to the cabin. My
God, man, I've even got the parts of your
clothing that wouldn't burnt You can thank
Maggie Donaldson for that"
Donaldson" Dick repeated. "That was it.
I couldn't remember Maggie Donaldson. The
woman in the cabin. And Jack. Jack Don.
aldsOn."
Het got up, and was apparently dizzy, for
| he caught at the table
Look here" Bassett said, 'let me give
you a drink. You look all in"
But he shook his head
mo, thanks just the same. I'll ask you to
be plain with me, Bassett. 1 ann have be-
come engaged to the girl and-well, l want
And, when Bassett only continued to stare
at him:
Il suppose I've begun wrong end first.
| forgot about how it must seem to you I
| dropped "a block out of my life about ten
years ago. I'm not proud of it, but it's the
fact. What I'm trying to do now is to fill in
the gap. l owe it-you see 1 owe 1t to the
girl" 4ssassoa
When Bassett could find apparently moth
ing to say, he went~on:
You say [ may be arrested if go out on
! the street. And you rather more than inti-
mate that woman named Beverly Carysle
is mixed up in it somehow. I take it that
knew her.
Eyes. You knew her" Bassett said slow
| ly. At his tone Dick flinched.
II wasnt-married to her?' ~
mo. You didn't marry her" ~ c~: 49,.
Continued in hn eNf