Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-09-30
BLEMISH
By E. Phillips Oppenheim.

II visited her that night with the
idea of seeing if there was a single
spark of better nature in her to which
could appeal. I had an idea that she
might consent to go to New Zealand or
to Australia, and, for certain sum of
money, permit her death to be adver-
tiSed. She refused. Her life seems to
have been bound up with this vile fell
low, Higgins. She laughed at my plans
and threatened to make public the tact
that she and my son were married. In
blind rage I took a knife from the
open drawer In the Sideboard and stab
bed her If Higgins had not Numbered
in few minutes after had left, in all
probability. no one would ever have
been arrested"
Benskin shook his head little sadly.
"Sir Frederick" he pointed out, I
am servant of the great machinery OF
| the law, and it is our duty to see thai,
so far as our efforts can prevent it. no
man innocent of any particular crime
should hang for it."
CIR FREDERICK smoked for mo-
~ ment, thoughtfully. From behind
| the thick curtains came the muffied
sounds of traffic in distant thorough
| fares. Otherwise, the silence of the
room was so profound that it became
possessed of certain significance.
Then, suddenly, it was broken in peculiar
| fashion. There was a whirring sound
| from the corner of the apartment, IA
miliar, yet so utterly unexpected that
both men were startled. From the loud
speaker came with stereotyped intona-
| ton the beginning Of the nightly broad
| casting announcement:
London speaking to the British Isles.
. Weather forecast"
Then Sir Frederick rose.
"Some one has left the thing turned
on" he remarked. Excuse me-"
He moved across the room. Before he
could reach the instrument, there was
again a little whirring followed by the
same familiar voice: 1.-THE news; Ed
ward Higgins, lying in Wandsworth
prison, charged with the murder of
Elizabeth Chalders, died this afternoon
in the hospital of alcoholic poisoning
Sir Frederick stopped short and
gripped at the edge of a bookcase, as
though to support himself. Benskin rose
in dazed fashion. Both men we're star
ing at the instrument, as though some
strange human being had broken dra-
matically into the situation. Again
there was the pause. Sir Frederick
stopped down. touched switch, and
there was silence. Then he turned and
faced Benskin.
THAT" Sir Frederick observed, his
voice not altogether steady, seems to
1 introduce new element of interest in
to the psychological outlook upon the
situation"
Both men again sat down.
Benskin opened his mouth and closed
it again. There was a sudden Interrupt
tion-gay voices and laughter in the hall.
The door was thrown open. A tall young
man. with his arm around girls waist,
entered. At the sight of Benskin he
paused.
Sorry, Dad, if we're interrupting
you," he apologized. Il had no idea
here was any one here. The fact is"
We've come an hour too soon," the
girl interviewed. "Our house is much too
die promised to show me some OF his
trophies
Sir Frederick smiled sympathetically.
You must let me introduce my friend,
4 Mr.. Benskin. My SON, Maj. Pinsent-
Lady Alice Cranston.
The -yaung man, a juvenile edition OF
his father, stepped forward and shook
hands. The girl was pretty in quiet
way She too. nodded pleasantly.
Hope we're not interrupting anything
very tremendous" the young man .ven-
4 tured.
Sir Frederick waved them away.
Don't forget that dinner is at eight"
l he enjoined.
They took their leave. The two. men
faced each other once more in the still
necs of the room. It was. not I'M
til the sound of the receding footsteps,
had died away that Benskin answered
the question in the others eyes.
Sir Frederick" he SAID. you have
presented me with an ethical dilemma I
| shall not attempt to solve. will only
i tell you this" he. added, Il have known
Eddie Higgins, for some years, but I
| should never have believed him capable
of such an act of good taste"
plain words" Sir Frederick begged.
Benskin threw his note book into the
fire. t'I have never wasted fortn1ght's
work so cheerfully," he declared.
! (Oopyright 1921 o..