Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-03-15
THE BREAKING POINT
BY NARY ROBERTS RINEHART

"THEN he had made certain that he was
Nv not observed, he unlocked and opened
w the window, and removed the wire
screen. There was red tre-eXlt lamp IN the
ceiling nearby, but he could not reach it, nor
could he find any wall switch. Nevertheless,
he knew by the time that through the window
lay Dicks only chance of escape. He cleared
the grating of a broken box and an empty
flower pot, stood the screen outside against
the wall, and then, still unobserved, made his
way back to his own bedroom and packed
his things.
Dick was still sleeping, stretched on his
bed, when he returned to three-twenty And
here Bassett's careful plans began to go aWry,
for Dicks body was twitching, and his face
was pale and covered with cold sweat. From
wondering how they could get away, Bassett
began to wonder whether they would get
away at all. The sleep was more like stu
Dor than sleep He sat down by the bed, clos
Ter to sheer fright than he had ever been De-
fore, and wretched with the miserable knowl-
edge of his own responsibility.
AS the afternoon wore on it became increas-
|ingly evident that somehow or other he must
get doctor. He turned the subject over In
his mind, pro and con. If he could get Jim
Clark, it might do. But he hesitated until al
seven, Dick opened his eyes and clearly DID
mot know him. Then he knew that the mat
ter was out of his hands, and that from now
on whatever it was that controlled the affairs
iof men, David's God or his own vague ProVl-
dence, was in charge.
He got his hat and went out and down the
stairs again. Wilkins had disappeared, but
Bill still stood by the entrance, watching the
crowd that drifted in and out. In his state
of tension he felt that the hotel clerks eyes
were suspicious as he retained the two rooms
for another day, and that Bill watched him
out with more than casual interest. Even the
matter of canceling the order for the cal
doomed large and suspicious before him, but
he accomplished it, and then set out to find
medical assistance.
There however chance favored him. The
first doctors sign led him to young man
new to the town, and obviously at leisure. Not
that he found that out at once. He invented
a. condition for himself, as he had done once
before, got a prescription and paid for IT
Learned what he wanted and then mentioned
Dick. He was careful to emphasize MS name
and profession, and his standing "bach
home
sIIl admit he's got me worried he fin
,ished HE saw me registered and came tt
my room this morning to see me, and got SICK
there. That is, he said he had a violent head
ache and was dizzy. [ got him to his room
and on the bed, and he's been sleeping eve1
since. He looks pretty sick to me-"
He was conscious of Bills eyes on him al
they went through the lobby again, but h
realized now that they were unsusp1cious
Bassett himself was in a hot sweat. HI
stopped outside the room and mopped hi
face
Look kind of shot up yourself" the doc
tor commented. Watch this sun out here
Because it's dry here you eastern people don
notice the heat until 1t plays the deuce WIFI
you
He made a careful examination of the
sleeping man, while Bassett watched his face
"Been a drinking man? Or don't yol
know?"
mo But think not. gave him a small
drink this morning, when he seemed to neet
it,"
Been like this all day."
"Since noon. Yes"
Once more the medical man stopped. Whe1
he Strengthened 1t was to deliver Bassett
body blow.
II don't like his condition or that twitcn
ing If it were the good old days in Wyoming
I'd say he is on the verge of delirium tremens
But that's only snap judgment. He might b.
on the verge of a good many things. Anyhow
he'd better be moved to the hospital. This il
no place for him.
And against this common-sense suggestion
Bassett had nothing to offer. If the docto
had been looking he would have seen hin
make gesture of despair.
81 suppose so,'' he said, DULY. SIS it near
I'll go myself and get a ROOM
"That's my advice. I'll look in later, and 1
the stupor continues I'll have in consult
ant" He picked up his bag and stood look
ing down at the bed. big, fne-looking chap
isn't he?" he commented, "Married?"
NO
"Wel, we'll get the ambulance, and late
on We'll go over him properly. I'd call
maid to sit with him if L were you"
In the grip of a situation that was too
much for him Bassett rang the bell. 1t wa
answered by the elderly maid who took care
of his own bedroom.
Months later pulling over the situation
Bassett was to wonder, and not to know
whether chance or design brought the Thor