The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-12-07
The Double Cross

Is lie
"That is the question" said Doris
solemnly. She turned toward her hus-
band, fixed relentless gaze upon him.
and added: "Rollin, where's Jim?"
81 don't know, tell you. don't
know !" was the feeble response.
He struggled to his feet, and some
how. like man walking in his sleep,
felt his way to the corner of the room,
and sat down again with his back to
the others.
Again after moments thought Will
son took command of the situation. 81
think, Miss Morgan" he said, 'we
must ask you TO wait for time. We
have decision to make and time
| presses"
The girl nodded in silence and vii.
son opened the door for her.
please do not go away" he added.
AS he shut the door on Nina and
the child. he turned to the Swami and
said:
And now, sir, think you will agree
that the time has come TO call the
| police"
'My friends" and the Swami smiled
his tragic smile, picture this to your
selves. Call the police-what will fol,
low? The arrest of this mantle
friend of our friend-the husband of
this lady. His prosecution for muir
der, his trial. Perhaps, his convic.
ton, and if so his execution. In other
words, scandal that will ring around
the world, and to what end. my
friends? To what end?"
'To the end of justice" was Will
sons prompt response.
"JusticeI All, my friends, earthly
| justice-the most sublime delusion to
| which mankind is heir. What is such
| justice worth compared to the suffer
ing it would inflict upon the innocent Z
Do you think our vanished friend
would wish such justice at so great
a cost? Mo- say no-and | knew
him well-yes, better than anyone
alive, brief as our friendship has been"
"Do you mean to say, SIR" de
manded Wilson Indignantly, you would
| let this man go free? Escape all pun.
| ishment"
Far from it," replied the Swami
but it must be a punishment that
shall punish him alone"
Swiftly Wilson appealed to Doris:
Mrs. Waterman" he cried, what do
you say? Mr.. Stanley was my friend
loved him. But he was your friend,
| too. Aren't you going to see that JUS
| tice is done?"
But Doris did not answer.
Presently the Swami spoke again
raising his voice slightly, and turning
to Waterman. "Come here, my son.
he said.
Slowly Waterman obeyed.
you have heard?"
"Yes," said Waterman family.
"Shall we call the policeT went on
the Hindu. "Will you go to trial upon
| this evidence? Or. if these friends
mercifully consent, will you do this?
Go at once, within the hour, by motor
to the city, take ship at daybreak-
never to give further sign of your ex.
istence 70 those whom you have used
so ILL.,"
"They will extradite him If they
catch him |" objected Wilson
But the Swami answered: eff we
| hold our tongues there will be no i'm
mediate question of murder. Mr. Stan.
ley has disappeared. 1t is true. but
many man has done that Another
| unsolved mystery-the lake, perhaps
| And moreover, there is. some twenty
leagues from Buenos Ayres, the island
| of Nueva Costa where no eXtradition
treaties run. There this man may
dwell alone-with his conscience. Well,
my friends if may judge, that is the
judgment that pronounce. And ]
think-I know-it finds an echo in the
spirit of our vanished friend. Do you
| consent, or nOt?"
Slowly, with a barely perceptible
lift of her shoulders, Doris affirmed
the Swami's decision. The Hindu
turned to Wilson:
"It's too good for him." he said, In
shaking voice, "but if Mrs. Water
man consents. I've got to. can't
help It."
The Hindu's glance turned again to
Waterman, who said, in broken
voice. "And how-hOw am to live? /
have nothing-nothing.
81 think" said the Swami. that per
haps this lady will consent out of the
| goodness of her heart to see that you
shall receive what will suffice for bare
existence"
| Again Doris gestured her consent.
''And now, sir, your answer?"
| Waterman's chin fell to his breast
81 have no choice" he murmured.
| ''You are wise. Go, then; repent
If you have a God. pray to him all
| your life for forgiveness If you have
no God, find one. For without God
man is very little-and very lonely"
| The Hindu turned away and said 20
Wilson. "1'he rest is for you"
Understand" said the little secre-
tary, "rm doing this under protest.
I'm consenting only because 1t is Mrs.
| Waterman's wish, and ! know that
what she would have, Mr.. Stanley
would have" And to Waterman he
said sharply, "Come" He turned
| toward the door.
Waterman approached his wife.
Doris" he said in a shaking voice,
81 can't 60 like this Doris-Doris-
shall never see you againl Forgive
mel"
"For myself, yes" she said, with
all my heart But for Jim, how
can IL"
With a startling cry, Waterman an
swered: 81 didn't do It'll / didn't
do itl'
perhaps not, but whether you killed