Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-01-24
O1029

IOr uube STAKES dLA NOul0 tdhS
desperate chances. he was bold, re-
sourceful and pre-eminently shrewd.
he had the faculty Of looking a jump
or two ahead OF the game all the
while.
There vas no question in DallaTd's
mind regarding the outcome OF tie
X-ray examination. The man was
not Jimmy Blair. and could not.
therefore pass the test. On that
point, Rex told himself, confidently,
there could be no doubt. But what
kind Of a flip-flop in skullduggery
work was Maxwell contemplating in
this ready acquiescence OF his to a
proposal so deadly to his scheme?
Rex glanced at Pat and saw that
she, too. was both worried and puZ-
zled. His darling gaze leaped over
70 Margery sitting on the edge o.
me long table. She caught the look
and answered with a little flicker
OF the left eyelid and a quick slant
slant toward Maxwell. Her optimism
was a ray Of sunshine III a cloud
ridden sky, a promise Of fair wea-
Their. He hoped 1t was not all pro-
mise" Then ne heard Marks speak
.ng in reply to the executors re-
quest that Jlmmy's nurse be allowed
10 attend him during the A-ray x
mination. Rex perked up his ears.
II cannot see, Mr.. Maxwell, why
anyone should object to the young
mans nurse assisting az hts exami-
nation he heard the lawyer say
after q brief consideration Of tho
others request. He observed Marks
as the latter glanced around the
group of assembled friends with q
qu.zzical eye: No suggestions in ia
vcr OF or against his observation
were offered, so he took up again
the matter in hand.
SO long as she does nothing 70
interfere with the doctors" he con-
tinued, Il think Il will be satisfac-
tory with Miss Blair and her frineds
for the nurse 70 remain with her
charge. And now" he said, In con-
clusion, we had better be gettinG
started, although it's only q short
journey-about four blocks, I'd say.
You have a Car, / suppose, Mr.. Max
well?" he added tentatively.
The other nodded.
We'll. then, let's got" said Marks,
with decision. Mr.. Grierson will be-
here upon our return. An hour
should see us all back again.
Margery and Pat. with DR.. Gard
ner saldwiched III between them,
made their way quickly down the
long corridor and out 10 the curb
where Margery's chauffeur waited
with her car. ballard, Gordon,
Marks and the doctor called IN By
Grierson, followed close on their
heels. AS they were seating them
selves Maxwell, his protege and the
nurse hurried past them 70 the hand
some car drawn up at the curb fifty
feet down the street, climbed in and
a moment later tire c2r was mixing
with the rush Of traffic.
Pat, her brown eyes black il the
excess Of surcharEed emotion that
dubbed I'D within her, leaned over
toward ballard on the opposite seat.
For Gods sake, Rex" she burst
cut explosively, dlSregarding entire
IL the strange doctor present, tell
me what that Maxwell man Is plan
ming to dol'
But the tongue % Rex ballard at
that precise moment with those two
pleading, em0tion-laden eyes looking
into his. went suddenly dead. Not
only was he unable to think but he
was totally unable to %articulate. All
he could do was Just 70 look-to
gaze adoringly, h%ungriiy. Time, the
world. thought, everything had stop
ELECTROMAGNETIC Rex ballard!
And Pat, all u~nknoWlngly, wholly
unmindful Of the truth. that She.
herself. was holding him tongue
tied and paraly2ed, waited, III the
fever Of a nervous impotence, for
an answer 10 her question. And she
waited. her impotence mounting
with every pulse beat.
What's the matter with you?"
she broke out. Have YOU been
struck dumb? Can't you talk? l ask
ed you a question-didn't you hear
me Has the cat got yotir tongue
DO YOU know what I Said'2
He nodded, grinnig foolishly as
the wheels began 70 turn again-as
his mind started once more to func-
ton along the old prescribed lines.
Yes" he said, with splendid logic.
What did you say? Something
about the devil, wasn't it?"
Pat snorted-if a girl as pretty
and as charming as Pat can be said
70 give utterance To such an I'M
couth thing as a snort. After which
she said with a fine and wholesome
tolerance:
Il asked you. Old Rip Van Win