Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1924-10-11
CHAPTER ~ (Continued

1THOUT a word Oliver turned to
Nv side-table, where stood metal basin
and ever. He poured water, then
came in the same silence to treat his broth
ers wound The tale that Lionel told made
blame impossible, at least from oliver.
When he had washed the wound he
fetched some table-inen from press and
ripped it into strips with his dagger; he
threaded out one Of these and made pre-
liminary criss-cross of the threads across the
lips of the wound-for the blade had gone
right through the muscles of the breast,
grazing the ribs; these threads would help
the formation of a clot. Then with the
infinite skill and cunning acquired in the
course of his royings he proceeded to the
bandaging.
That DONE he opened the window and
flung out the blood tinted water. The
cloths with which he had mopped the
wound and all other similar evidences of,
the treatment he cast upon the fire. He
must remove all traces even from the eyes
of Nicholas He had the most implicit
trust in the old servants fidelity But the
matter was too grave to permit of the slight
est risk. He realized fully the justice of
LioneTs fears that however fair the fight
might have been, thing done thus in secret
must be accounted murder by the law.
Bidding Lionel wrap himself in his cloak,
Sir Oliver unbarred the door and went up
stairs in quest of a fresh shirt and doubet
for his brother. On the landing he met
Nicholas descending He held him mo-
ment in talk of the sick man above, and
outwardy at least he was now entirely COM
posed. He dispatched him upstairs again
upon a trumped-up errand that must keep
him absent for some little time, whilst him
self he went to get the things he needed
He returned below with them, and when
he had assisted his brother into fresh gar
ments with little movement as possible
SO not to disturb his dressing of the
wound or set it bleeding afresh, he took the
blnod-stained doublet, vest and shirt which
he had ripped and flung them, too, into the
great fire.
When some moments later Nicholas
tered the vast room he found the brothers
sitting composedy at table Had he faced
Lionel he would have observed little amiss
with him beyond the deep pallor of his face.
But he did not even do so much. Lionel sat
with his back to the door, and the servants
advance into the room checked by Sir
Oliver with the assurance that they did not
require him. Nicholas withdrew again, and
the brothers were once more alone.
Lionel ate very sparingly. He thirsted
and would have emptied the measure OF
posset, but that Sir oliver restrained him,
and refused him anything but water lest he
should contract a fever. Such a spar1ng
meal as they made-for neither had much
appetite-was made in silence. At last
Sir Oliver rose, and with Slow heavy
steps, suggestive of his humor, he crossed
to the fireplace. He threw fresh logs on
the blaze, and took from the tall mantel-
shelf his pipe and a leaden jar of tobacco.
He filled the pipe pensively, then with
short iron tongs seized a fragment of glow
ing wood and applied it to the herb.
He returned to the table, and standing
over his brother, he broke at last the 81
lence that had now endured some time.
What" he asked gruffly, 'was the
cause of your quarrel"
Lionel started and shrank little; be-
tween finger and thumb he kneaded frag-
ment of bread, his eyes upon it.
81 scarce know" he replied
'Lal, that is not the truth
"How?"
"'Tis not the truth I am not to be put
off with such an answer. Yourself you SAID
that you had warned him not to cross your
path. What path was in your mind?"
Lionel leaned his elbows on the table and
took his head in his hands.
Twas that Wanton at Malpas was the
cause of ALL he complained.
Sir divers eye flushed at the words.
II deemed her quite other; I was fool,
a fool! =" he choked, and a sob shook
hint thought she loved me. 1 would
have married her, l would so, by Cod!
Sir OIlNGr SWOT6 SOllIy uHu6I HIS VI 0dI4l'
Il believed her pure and good, and He
checked. after all, who am l to say even
now that she was not? Twas no fault of
hers. Twas he, that foul dog Godolphin
who perverted her Until he came all was
we'll between us. And then"
4 see," said Sir Oliver quietly. Il think
you have something for which to thank him.
if he revealed to you the truth of that
strumpet's nature l would have warned
thee, lad But Perhaps l have been
weak in that"
1T was not so; it was not She
Il say it was, and if I say so 1 am to be
believed. Lionel I'd smirch no woman's
reputation without just cause. Be very sure
Of that"
Lionel stared up at him.
20 God!" he cried presently. II know not
what to believe. l am a shuttlecock flung
this way and that way.
believe me" said Sir Oliver grimly.
And set all doubts to rest" Then he
smiled. 80 that the Yirtuous Master
+ Peters secret pastime. Ell? The hypocrisy of
man! There is no plumbing the endless
depths of it,"
He laughed outright, remembering all the
things that Master Peter had said Of Ralph
observation-disclosures himself though he
, were some chaste and self-denying anchorite.