The Ely miner., 1936-10-08
CHAPTER XII-Continued

his sleeve. Il don't know whom 10 turn
10. Father can do no more just now;
and Jeb-Mr. Braddon-Davis would
be frantic if he helped him. But you
can't put up money for him."
Il can't" admitted Cathal, not TO
any amount such as he will need. But
that's not all there is to do"
HE got his capital by borrowing
on his life insurance. I don't know
how one does that; do you?
"Yes-when's his birthday?"
October %. Why?"
at was just Something / wanted to
know" said Cathal, and held out his
hand. Hers was in his; he held it; and
then he let go.
Cathal drove away with calendar
superimpOSed over the other excite
ments in his mind. Today was the
twenty-fifth of May. So Davis Ayre-
fOrth'S birthday was four days and five
months away. That meant that in all
probability he must make his heavy
payments of life insurance premiums
within four days. For life-inSurance
practice fixes the date upon which a
=
six months-before his birthday. Da-
Wis Ayreforth's age changed" there
fore, on the twenty-ninth of April; and
on that date, undoubtedly, most of his
insurance policies were written, and
the premiums each year were due. But
the companies, by common practice, ex-
tended date of payment by a months
grace So the final day for payment
would be May 29-just four days off.
Cathal drove to the city that night
lost only at times in the delights of
his dreams OF her; with these, he was
haunted by desperate eyes and mems
bitten lips-L:nsdale's and Ayreforth's.
Cathal did not forget Davis. He re-
ceived on the twenty-eighth the full
special reports which he had ordered
from the commercial agencies, and
further, a verbal report from his own
investigator; and on the forenoon of
the twenty ninth, Cathal went to Davis
office
Davis, after a time, sent out word
he could not see Mr.. O'Mara.
Cathal, standing, stared past the Sec
retary who brought this message; he
strOde past her, then, and tried to
turn the knob Of Mr.. AyrefOrth's door.
1t did not turn. 1t was locked.
Perhaps, during his wait, Cathal IN
consciously had prepared the plan
which Immediately he adopted. He
had not expected eXactly this situa-
ton; but he did not delay an instant.
He went to the window of the outer
Office which adjOined the partition wall.
1t was open, and he stepped out upon
the sill. A twin window, also open,
was on the other side of the partition,
with a step between their sills. Cathal
caught the sash and made the step
and he was in Davis office.
Only after he had entered did Davis
seem TO have heard him. Davis was
sitting at his desk with pen in his hand
over paper. He had been trying to
write something.
He jerked about, dropping his pen.
He saw O'Mara, and started to rise
but he did not. His hand darted to
an open drawer beside him, and came
up with a pistol, which he lifted not
toward Cathal, but toward his own
head.
Cathal caught him; and they fought
for the pistol.
1t was like graphing a madman.
Cathal blocked his arm so that the
hand with the pistol pointed off, but
Cathal could not get the pistol away.
Then suddenly the pistol dropped.
1t was on the floor; and for the mo-
ment, Cathal was outwitted. He
thought he had won; and he let Davis
go.
Davis fell back from him, and Cathal
stopped for the pistol. And he had it
safe, and had snapped the cartridges
out, when he realized Davis was at
the window-12 floors above the street
There must be for a man still sane.
mostly, a seconds halt before self-de-
struction, and so again Cathal caught
him.
He clutched him with both arms
from behind, and bracing his feet be-
low the window, he pulled Davis back
into the room; and then Cathal took
no more chances. He let go and re-
gained his feet first; and as Davis
stood up, Cathal swung with all his
weight in the blow upon Davis chin.
Davis dropped to the floor on his
face.
The office people were pounding at
the locked door and shouting for ad-
mittance.
rs Mr.. Remble there?" Cathal called
through; and when the partner an
swered: you come in; keep everybody
else out" he unlocked the door, swung
1t enough TO let Remble in, and bolted
it once more
Ken Remble stood gaping, his part
ner at his feet. The cartridges which
Cathal had elected were scattered on
the floor.
"He shot himselfw Ken Remble
whispered.
NO" said Cathal. 81 took the gun
away from him. He's knocked out;
that's ALL"
"Who are your
"0Mara. I'm a lawyer"
lawyer"
81 came here as his friend"
"Oh. :. What's our move now?"
yours" said Cathal, 'is to quiet
sOuA pCOpiC. lncn you
please; and tell me later. I'll stay
with him.
He was alone with Davis again be-
hind the locked door.
Davis sat up dizzily. what time is
it?"
"Time?" said Cathal; and before he
brought the desk clock into Davis
sight he turned the hands. "It's after
twelve, Ayreforth," he said. Its two
after YOnr Insurance