The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-03-07
CHAPTER Ill-continued.

B
"With this little weapon" he ex-
planned, "the point is so sharpened and
the steel SO wonderful that 1t is not
necessary to stab. 1t has the, perfec-
ton of surgical instrument. You
have only to lean 1t against a GER
tain point In mans anatomy, lunge
ever so little and the whole thing is
done. Come here. Mr.. Ledsam,- and
I win show you the exact spot"
Francis made no movement. His
eyes were fixed upon the weapon.
IF had only Known" he muttered.
my dear fellow, II you had" the
other protested soothingly, "you know
perfectly well that 1t would not have
made the slightest difference. Perhaps
that little break in your voice would
not have come quite SO naturally, the
little sweep Of your arm towards me.
the man whom moments thoughtless-
ness might sweep into Eternity, would
have been a little sitter. but what
matter? You would still have done
your best and you would probably still
have succeeded. You don't care about
trifiing with Eternity. Ell? Very well.
7 will find the place for you"
Hilditch's fingers strayed along his
shirt-front until he found certain
spot. Then he leaned the dagger
against 1t, his forefinger and second
finger pressed against the hilt. His
eyes were fixed upon his guests. He
seemed genuinely interested. Francis.
glancing away for moment. was sud
I denly conscious Of new horror The
Woman had leaned little forward
her easy-chair until she had at
Zained almost a crouching position. Her
eyes seemed to be measuring the dis
lance from where she sat to that Quiv-
ering thread Of steel.
you see, Ledsam," his host went
on. shat point driven now at that
angle would go clean through the vital
part of my heart. And it needs no
force, either-just the slow pressure
1RaA these two fingers. What did you
%S4y, MargaretY' he inquired. breaking
of abruptly.
The woman was seated upon the
very edge of her chair, her eyes rivet-
ed upon the dagger There was no
change in her face. not tremor in her
tone
II said nothing" she replied. Il
did not speak at all. was just watch
ing"
Hilditch turned back to his guest.
"These two fingers" he repeated,
'and a flick of the wrist-very little
more than would be necessary for a
thirty-yard putt right across the
green"
Francis had recovered himself, had
found his bearings to a certain extent.
81 am sorry that you have told me
this, Mr.. Hilditch," he said. little stiff
fy.
"WhyT was the puzzled reply. Il
thought you would be interested"
Il am interested to this extent"
Francis declared, '1 shall accept no
more cases such as yours unless am
convinced of my clients Innocence. l
look upon your confession to me as
being in the worst possible taste, and
regret very much my efforts on your
behalf" AZ
The woman was listening intently.
Hilditch's expression was one of cyni-
cal wonder. Francis rose to his feet
and moved across to his hostess.
Mrs. Hilditch,v he said. twill you
allow me to make my apologies? Your
husband and have arrived at an I'M
Outstanding perhaps should say
Misunderstanding renders
the acceptance of any further hospi-
tality on my part impossible" ~
She held out the tips of her fingers.
II had no idea," she observed. with
gentle sarcasm, that you barristers
were such purists morally. I thought
you were rather proud of being the
last hope Of the criminal classes"
Madam" Francis replied. II am
not proud of having saved the life of
self-confessed murderer. even though
that man may be .your husband"
Hilditch was laughing softly to him
self as he escorted his departing guest
to the door.
'.You have a quaint sense of humor,"
Francis remarked.
Forgive me-" Oliver Hilditch
begged, "but your last few words rath-
er appealed to me. You must be a
person of very scanty perceptions II
you could spend the evening here and
not understand that my death is the
one thing in the world which would
h make my wife happy"
Francis walked home with these
last words ringing in his ears They
seemed with him even in that brief
period Of troubled sleep which came
% him when he had regalned his