Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-02-02

turned BralnarQ, III IL mao come from
anybody but YOU" The very nerves
of his wrists were knotting with the
desire to reach out for that envelope
now resting on his enemy's knee. But
was Ballard too candid, or just candid
enough, for a big man who knew he
was beaten? Did Ballard know he was
beaten? Was there subtle trick here
somewhere? A trick to learn whether
or not Brainard did care what that
envelope might contain!
"Of course you know what brought
ME here" went on Ballard. I'VE can't
let you run those records I'm told
you've promised to release the En-
press and other theaters this after
noon"
"Oh?" Brainard smiled. But of
course can't let you tamper unscathed
with my employes-poison 'em, for in
stance"
Ballard grinned. IT don't know
what you mean by that last" he re-
piled, but 1 might understand easily.
I would have poisoned any of 'em I
could reach in the dark if I'd thought
1t would touch you"
II know you would. That's why
think you did"
Yes? Then you haven't fastened ii
on me yet?"
NO" This game of frankness was
not an easy one to play with craft
Ballard seemed suddenly to have real
lied that man could have no reserves
with Radley Brainard, and might as
we'll not try. But Ballard was far more
astute in matters of craft than Brain
ard would ever be, and Brainard hao
sense enough to know it. In the matter
nf
it looked different. This was clearly a
duel in which he must choose his own
weapons.
But II you are not guilty in this
instance, why do you mind my running
that stuff at the Empress?"
Because" Ballard answered easily
sit is an implied charge which will
convince half the people who see il
that I am guilty and which I have nc
means of answering"
Not completely convincing reason
But Ballard rose from his chair and laid
the envelope in his hand upon Brain
ards desk.
IF you don't mind" he said. 81
prefer not to be in a position to fight
you, Brainard. That should convince
you. If there is anything IN this
envelope you want, I want nothing to
do with it. I'm through. If Mortimer
wants to fight you, he may. But not
me! I'm going to retire and ask you
to furnish me the means to enjoy a
peaceful old age in the cherished and
regretted frolics of my youth"
The determination to be cautious
wavered slightly in Brainard. Ballard
seemed to be taking it exactly as Bal
lard would, if he were Surrendering. But
would Ballard give his conqueror any,
thing he might suspect that conquerol
wanted, even for the reason he stated?
Would he admit his own impulses tc
ruthless methods? Why did he not now
take Brainard at his word and destroy
that envelope and its contents? OBJ
vlouSly he wanted Brainard to opc,1
that envelope. And behind an exterior
he hoped was frigid Radley Brainard
was frightened at the desire that rose
in waves in him to snatch at the prize
he coveted as he had coveted nothing
| else in his life!
But what would be the natural thins
for him. Brainard. to do, if, as he hac
told Ballard, he was indifferent to what
that envelope contained? If his reac.
lions to the envelope were what inter.
ested Ballard, Ballard might be quite
as much interested if Brainard did no.
open it as if he did. Why should mo-
Brainard open it? Why not show {
natural curiosity naturally? Could i
be done, in his state?
He took the thing up in his hanc
at last. watching himself with a sens,
| OF locking on from distance Let.
see what the thing is he said, and triec
not to clear his throat. IF it's an index
we'll make a record from it and look a
1t. Then we'll both know what it wa.
that Homer thought wanted"
Ballard nodded. smiling. Brainare
felt that the stroke had been a happ,
thought. He would do just as he hac
suggested; and Ballard would never
know what it meant to him He coule
open the envelope now. He could oper