Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1924-03-26
CHAPTER lll-Continued.

3
with this little weapon" he ex-
ared "the point is so sharpened and
steel SO wonderful that it is not
peessary to stab. 1t has the perfec-
In of a surgical instrument. You
ovp only to lean it against a GER
In point in a mans anatomy, lunge
Ter so little and the whole thing is
One. Come here, Mr.. Ledsam, and
will show you the exact spot"
Francis made no movement. His
les we're fixed upon the weapon.
IL had only known :" he muttered.
MY dear fellow, if you had" the
ther protested soothingIy, you know
erfectly well that it would not have
1ade the slightest difference. Perhaps
bat little break in your voice would
hot have come quite so naturally, the
ittle sweep Of your arm towards me,
he man whom moments thoughtless-
bqsS might sweep into Eternity, would
havt been a little sitter, but what
natter? You would still have done
Jour best and you would probably still
bave succeeded. You don't care about
trifng with Eternity, eh? Very well,
will find the place for you"
Hildtchs fingers strayed along his
shrt-frOnt until he found q certain
Spot Then he leaned the dagger
against it, his forefinger and second
Finger pressed against the hilt. His
Eyes were fixed upon MS guests. He
Seemed genuinely interested Francis.
CHANGING away for a moment, was sud
denly conscious of a new horror The
woman had leaned a little forward
In her easy-chair until she had at
Famed almost crouching position. Her
eyes seemed to be measuring the dis
lance from where she sat to that quiz
eHng thread of steel.
You see, Ledsam," his host went
on that 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
Of these two fingers. What did you
say MarSaret?' he inquired, breaking
off abruptly.
The woman was seated upon the
j very edge of her chair, her eyes rivet-
ed upon the dagger. There was no
cnanse in her face, not a tremor in her
tone.
1 said nothing" she replied. IT
aId not speak at all. / was just watch
Ing"
HIditch turned back to his guest.
Ihese two fingers" he repeated,
and flick of the wrist-very little
more than would be necessary for a
mIFty-yard putt right across the
green"
francis had recovered himself, had
hound his bearings to a certain extent.
l am sorry that you have told me
ulS' Mr.. Hilditch," he said, little stiff
a. way: was the puzzled reply. 81
"ought you would be Interested"
am interested to this extent"
francis declared, 81 shall accept no
more cases such as yours unless L am
convinced of my clients innocence.
,'oN upon your cclfession to me as
u'lng IN the woS&t possible taste, and
4. 55Sr.. very S.uch my efforts on your
~ 1 ne w0Fnar was listening intently.
I.'oitchs expression was one of cyni-
v'l wonder Francis rose to his feet
anu moved across to his hostess.
Mrs. HIilditch," he said, will you
% ,"o" me to make my apologies? Your
dg. ,..'1H and | have arrived at an I'M
" os's,a,hding-or perhaps 1 should say
>, '''>iNderstanding-which renders
, 4g acceptance of any further hospi-
%, on my part impossible"
5 "eId out the tips of her fingers.
49,, ""a no idea,' she observed, with
ss sarcasm, that you barristers
W.. W. Such purists morally. I thought
gu gu We're rather proud of being the
ISL :, nope Of the criminal classes.'
30. 'I"oan'' Francis replied, Il am
= proud of having saved the life of
,,e confessed murderer, even though
' ~, NM, man may be your husband"
s,I r'IulIch was laughing softly to him
10 the door
70, 1ou have quaint sense of humor,"
'"uc'S remarked.
orsive me-" Oliver Hilditch
o. a. eseu' but your last few words rath-
- appealed to me. You must be a
ro,Son Of very scanty perceptions It
n.y. rou could speIpd the evening here and
on u.uerstand that my death is the
,, ug Ihlng in the world which would
'I IN my wife happy"
l. 'ohcls walked home with these
sos, words ringing in his ears. They
D NO with him even in that brief
- 'gl OF troubled sleep which came
Au when he had rpUainpd his