Evening star., 1927-11-17

himself. as he carried the tray from
the room.
combe. a grim savagery in his voice:
'but there1l be none of that sort of
thing here. And you keep your hands
off! Do you also understand that?
There's going to be one decent thing
In my life." He stretched out his
clenched hand again. Curse these
bandages! 1 wish 1 could see your
face! But I tell you now that If any
attempt is made to get that money
I'll crush you with as little compunc-
ton as would crush snake. Is that
p1ain?"
But, monsieur-monsieur! pro
tested the Frenchman. THAT is
enough. Why should you say such
things to me? I am distressed. And
it is not just. You asked me to read
a letter, and I read it. That was not
my fault. And surely it was but
natural, what I said. Has it not been
our business to do that sort of thing
together? 1 did not know how you
felt about this. But now that L know
it is at an end. l have forgotten 1t,
my friend. 1t is as though 1t had
never been"
Gan right, then" said the ex-captain
of territorials in softer tone. "As
you say, that ends it,"
Shall go on with the letter."
asked the Frenchman pleasantly.
NO." said Capt. Francis New.
combe. ''Give it to me. I've had
enough Of it for now He smiled
suddenly, as the Frenchman placed
I'm a bit off color. this morning. Paul.
Sorry! The trip down from Clover
ley's has done me in bit, and my
eyes hurt like hell. I'd give hun
dred pounds for a few good hours of
sleep"
"Try, then" suggested the French
man. I'm be where l can hear you If
you want anything. / won't go out
until Runnells gets back"
Good enough" agreed Capt. Fran.
els Newcombe; and then abruptly, as
the Frenchman rose from his chair:
| Speaking of Runnells. Paul-you will
obl4ge me by saying nothing to him of
the contents Of this letter."
II will say nothing to any one, let
alone Runnells." replied the French
man quietly. at is already forgotten.
Call, If you want anything"
! II WILL" said Capt. Francis New
combe.
/
away in the outer room.
| Capt. Francis Newcombe's fingers
frightened around the letter he held in
| his hand. crushed it, and carefully
smoothed it out again. He lay there
mOtionless then, his face turned away
from the door. his lips thinned. his
under jaw outthrust a little.
Three years in the planting" he
muttered to himself. 1T has ripened
well! Very well, Paul::--bah. What
does it matter, after air. that he read
| the letter? I am not sure but that he
has already outlived his usefulness
and Runnells too"' He thrust the
letter suddenly underneath his pillow.
! Damn the Internal pain"' he gritted
between his teeth. "If I could only
sleep for a bit-sleep-sleep.'
| And for a time he tossed restlessly
from side to side, and then presently
he slept.
from the bedroom, brought in the
luncheon tray.
| you've had a rare whack of Sleep
he said. as he laid the try down on
the table beside the bed.
What time is it?" inquired Capt
Francis Newcombe.
Three O'clock" said RunneIls,
Here, sit up n bit, and I'll bolster the
pillows in behind you"
Where's Paul?" asked the ex.
captain of territorials.
Runnells did not answer immedi
ately. In arranging the pillows he
found letter. He looked at it cooIlv,
1t ought to be worth looking at II
Capt. Francis Newcombe kept n
under his pillow.
"Well?' snapped the ex-captain OF
territorials.
Runnelis placed the letter on the
table within easy reach beside the
tray, pulled the table a little closer
and sat down on the edge of the bed
He went out after / got back.
said Runnells. Said he'd sleep here
, tonight, that's all know. This is q
+. bit Of stew"
, Runnells. with one hand presented
J a forkful Of meat to Capt. Franci,
Newcombe's lips, and with the othe,
= hand possessed himself Of the lette
again.
. Runnels read steadily now. H.
conveyed food to Capt. Francis New
> combe's mouth mechanically.
I Damn it!' spluttered the ex
e captain OF territorials suddenly. ID
you take me for a boa constructor?
/. can't bolt food as fast as that"
I Runnells' eyes were curiously
, feverishly alight.
/ yesterday you said I went to-
|. slow" he mumbled.
e "In a great many respects, Run
nells," said Capt. Francis Newcomb
s tartly, "you are an irritating, tactics
ass But not to be too hard on YOU