The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1930-05-23
CHAPTER X-Continued

his hands. "You may think it was
not strictly honorable, and suppose
it wasn't, but l had Mary to think
about and something told me | ought
TO. In the end you'll be glad, too"
She read it through and handed 1t
back; she wondered that her hand
could be so steady and her face so
inscrutable. Yet in her heart she was
saying, 81 AN never be truly happy
of my life"
The note was addressed simply,
sandy Orme."
"Dear Andy:" IT began. whats
the use of quarreling about the Rad
way woman now? | was wrong to be
so savage about 1t, but I'm not the
cold calculating type like you. We
need you to take the yacht to Limon.
If you contest means back to San
Quentin for you. for we shall surely
be reported and a search made. If
you'll fight for her when we get to
c. r. I'm willing. Until then let us
make peace Answer Immediately.
"HERMAN METZGER."
81 told the boy to come back in
half an hour. He will know enough
TO convince you. if this isn't sufficient.
I'll bring him in here and we can
crOsS-eXamine him."
"What do you want to do?" Mrs.
Railway asked in a strained and life
less voice. Mary looked at her with
sympathy she dared not show. "She
really loved him." thought the wise
Mary.
'Get the doctor in here and make
him answer" Todd thought the thing
was obvious. when we're through
with him, we'll hear the boy. Bob.
fetch him."
The moments of waiting were the
bittereSt that any hour of life, in
which sorrow had seldom been absent
of late years, had brought Evelyn
Railway. The foundations of her
faith were shaken. She could not I'M
derstand by what miracle of self-pos-
session she was able to control her
self and compose her features so that
the others did not see her secret writ
ten there.
Bettington was looking pale and
tired. There was a dull pain in his
right side which had grown worse
since his struggle with Sam; it was
some wrenched sinew, he supposed.
He tried not to let ii be seen. OF
them all Mrs. Railway saw he suf-
fered.
whats this?" he asked essaying
cheerfulness. "a council of defense?"
Although he addressed his words TO
Evelyn Railway, she did not answer.
But her face alone showed no emotion.
Crosby Todd had triumph written on
his, with tinge of malice in it. Bob
felt and expressed contempt; be was
angry with himself for having adj
mired the man. And Mary looked at
him as one might gaze at some crea-
ture of whom deadly qualities are
pointed out.
Bettington dropped into a chair
YEARLY. This was to be one more
exhibition of Todds absurdity.
at seems Pm on trial again." he
said, "the pertinacious Todd my ac-
cuser"-Bettingto looked around
"and the jury ready to convict"
"Why do you call yourself Doctor
Waite, when it isn't your name?"
Bettington felt himself flushing like
a boy detected openly in falsehood.
He knew his accuser felt he had
scored a point.
what is my name?" he demanded.
"IIl admit it isn't Waite"
"Your name is Andy Orme," Todd
cried.
Usually ready in any of the emer-
meet, Bettington found himself ut
terly unprepared for this. His face
showed it. There was confusion writ
ten on it and for a moment helpless
ness and despair. All that he in
tended to tell them, prefacing it with
the story Of his abduction, was now
useless. They would believe it all
part of the monstrous chain of ex-
cuses he had woven tn lull suspicion.
''It isn't Orme, either" he answered.
"You'd better hear the whole thing
from the beginning
He was amazed at Mrs. Railways
suddenly changed attitude.
Spare us that" she said. Never
had he seen her look so cold and un-
apprOachable. She had learned in
the space of a few seconds that the
man she had idealized was, indeed, a
member of this crew Ct crime. She
had no longer any feelings of her
own to consider. She must look after
Mary Irwin. She reached for the
folded letter that lay on the table
before Todd.
"May l see that letter." Betting
ton asked.
He read It and then angered them
why he was prejudgei.
"This is good news on the WHOLE"
he remarked, there's a chance of
saving you"
"FOr what? Evelyn Railway asked.
For any use you may choose to
put your life. L mean, think l can
get you to Savannah. If Mr.. Todd
can be as quick in an emergency as
he is with his tongue, and the other
lad will risk il, we may be able 10
seize the Ship"
"And leave Mary and Mrs. Rad.
way without protection" Todd glared
at him angrily; such ruse was too
transparent. "Not good enough" he
said sarcastically, Doctor Whatever.
you-call-yourself."
''Pd like to tell you my real name,"
Bettington said. rising stiffly from the
chair, wholly unconscious Of Todd's
threatening gesture. "You won't be-
Heve it now
"Why tell it then?" Todd retorted
IL Ia.