Belt Valley times. [volume] (Armington, Mont.) 1894-1977, 1924-02-21
CHAPTER IIi-contlnusd.


-
with this little weapon" he ex-
planned, "the point is so sharpened and
the steel so wonderful that 1t is not
necessary to. stab. Il has the perfee-
ton OF a surgical instrument. You
have only to lean II against a GER
tain point in a mans anatomy, iunge-
ever so little and the whole thing Is
done Come here, Mr.. Ledsam, and
/ win show you the exact spot"
Francis made no movement. His
eyes were fixed upon the weapon.
IF / had only knOwnl" he muttered.
MY dear fellow, If you had" the
other protested soothingly, you know
perfectly well that II 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, eh7 Very well.
I will find the place for you"
Hilditch,s fingers strayed along his
shirt-front until he found q certain
spot. Then he leaned the dagger
against 1t, his forehnger and second
finger pressed against the hiIt His
eyes were fixed upon his guests. He |
seemed genuinely interested. Francis |
glancing away for moment. was sud
denly conscious of new horror The |
woman had leaned a little forward |
In her easy-chair until she had at
tanned 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, that point driven now at that
angle would go clean through the vital
part of my heart. And 1t needs no
force, either-Just the slow pressure
of these two fingers What did you
say. Margaret7 he inquired, breaking
on 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.
Il said nothing" she replied. 7
did not speak at all. was just watch
ing
HiIditch 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
fhlrty-yard putt right across the
green"
Francis had recovered himself, had
found his bearings to a certain extent.
Il am sorry that you have told me
this, Mr.. Hilditch," he said, little stiff
fly.
why 7 p the puzzled reply II
thought you would be Interested"
II am interested to this extent" {
brancis declared. 81 shall accept no {
more cases such as yours unless / am
convinced of my clients innocence. '
look upon your confession to me as |
being In the worst possible taste, and I
] regret very much my efforts on your c
behalf
The woman was listening intenfly. b
HIlditch's expression was one Of cyni- I
cal wonder. Francis rose to his feet c
and moved across to his hostess
Mrs. HIlditeh,n he said, twill you
allow me to make my apologies7 Your c
husband and have arrived at an IN
ierstanding--Or perhaps ! should say q
4 Misunderstanding renders e
ne acceptance OF any further hospi- a
.aIity on my part impossible"
She held out the tips OF her fingers. a
II had no idea,7 she observed, with
gentle sarcasm. that you barristers
we're such purists morally. / thought
lpu were rather proud OF being the -
asst hope OF the criminal classes" g
Madam" Francis replied. Il am
lof proud Of having saved the life Of
relf-confessed murderer, even though q
hat man may be your husband" @
Hnditch was laughing softly to him q
elf as be escorted his departing guest 81
o the door 81
@You have quaint sense Of humor," a,
rrsncis remarked.
~Forgive me- oliver HTditch te
legged. but your last few words rath a
r appealed 20 me- You must be
erson OF very ecanfy perceptions u 10
on could spend me evening here and
ol understand that nay death il the ca
ne thing IN the world which would De
make my wIifs hmppy GO
Frnmcls walked honse with these
Anf mards ssnssn9 ID aas a@Rn sEheB 20
eauaad with hlm even b thaE brief -
agsod n fTpubled sleep whfeh cams
. hfm when he hed fasnlsaa hAs "a