Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-03-17
THE BREAKING POINT
BY MARY ROBERTS RINEHART

shrewdly: THAT was one for him ana TWO
for you, was it?
Il wonder if you would look like that if
anyone attacked mel
mo one attacks you, Wallie."
That's not an answer. You wouldn't,
would you? It's different, isn't it,"
Yes. A little
He straightened and looked past her, un-
seeing, at the wall, Il guess I've known it
for quite a while" he said at last. Il didn't
want to believe it, so 1 wouldn't. Are you
engaged to him."
yes It's not to be known for a while,
Walle."
Hes good fellow" he said, after rather
long silence mot that that makes it east.
err he added with twisted smile. Then
boyshly and Unexpectedly he said, "Oh, my
Cod"
She yearned over. him, rather She made
a little tentative overture of friendship and
affection. But he scarcely seemed to hear
them, wrapped he was in the selfish abb.
sorption of his disappointment. When she
heard the postman outside ana Went to tne
door for the mail she thought he had not
noticed her going. But when she returned
he was watching her with jealous, rather
tragic eyes
81 suppose you hear from him by mail?"
There has been nothing today
Something in her voice, or her face made
him look at her closely.
Has he written at?"
"The first day he got there. Not since"
He went away soon, and mot after all with
the feeling of going for good. In his scep-
tical young mind, fed by Clare's malice, was
faith. If he wasn't writing
When Wilkins has disappeared around the
angle of the staircase, Bassett went to chair
and sat down He felt sick, and his knees
were trembling. Something had happened,
a search for Clark room by room perhaps,
and the discovery had been made.
He was totally unable to think or to plan.
With Dick we'll they could perhaps made
run for it, The fire-escape stood ready. But
as things we're
The murmuring among the crowd at the
feot of the stair ceased, and he looked up.
Wilkins was on the staircase searching the
lobby with his eyes. When he saw Bassett
he came quickly down, and confronted him,
his face angry and suspicious
you're mixed up in this somehow" he
said sharply. You might we'll come over
with the story. Well get him. He can't get
out of this town"
With the words, and the knowledge that
in some incredible fashion Dick had made his
escape, Bassett's mind reacted instantly
whats eating you, Wilkins?" he demand
| ed. who's got away? I couldn't get that
tongue-tied bell-hop to tell me. Thought it,
was fire.
Don't STALL Bassett You've had Jud
Clark hidden upstairs in three-twenty all
| day"
Bassett got up and lowered angriy over
the sheriff. The crowd had turned and was
watching
I'm three-twenty?" he said. You're crazy.
Jud Clark! Let me tell you something. I
don't know what you've got in your head, but
| three-twenty' is a Doctor Livingstone from
| near my home town. Well known and high
ly respected, too. What's more, he's a sick
man, and If he's got away, as you say, it's
| because he is delirious. / had doctor in
to see him an hour ago. I've just arranged
for room at the hospital for him. Does
| that look though I was hiding him?'
The positiveness of his identification and
his Indignation resulted in a change in Will
kins manner
I'll ask you to stay here until come
back" His tone was official but less sus-
pcious. well have him in a half hour. It's
Clark all right. I'm not saying you knew
it was Clark, but L want to ask you some
questions"
He went out and Bassett heard him shout
ing order in the street. He went to the
street door, and realized that a search was
going on, both by the police and by unofficial
volunteers.
Bassett himself was helpless. He stood
by watching the fire of his ,gniting, conscious
of the curious scrutiny of the few hotel
loungers who remained and expecting mo-
mentarily to hear of Dicks capture. 1t must
come eventually, he felt sure. AS to how
Dick had been identified or by what means
he had escaped, he was in complete ignorance
and an endeavOr to learn by establishing the
former entente cordiale between the room
clerk and himself was met by a suspicious
glance and what amounted to a snub. He
went back to his chair against the wall, and
sat there, waiting for the end.
Continued Tuesday. Renew your sub
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