Show I HALF A CHANCE Copyright re II The MerrUl Bobbs- Bobbs Co CHAPTER A Condition Lard hl hU bill thin jaws JoWa were were- set no so that the bones of ot the cheek chalk showed his eyes ees gleamed When he did move mo It was wall as If It blindly precipitately to I ia carry 1 wouldn't out his first What Impulse ml John Steele held vaguely Included in the radius of ot its possibilities Mr Unless Unless- You wouldn't dare Lord trembled but with Impotent passion not fear tear It would be bem be- be Self defense t The paper would 1 I re remain re- re m main main full fn i full vindication Y In fact tile the paper a already is mine Whether ether I 1 kill you or orn n nt t is merely Incidental And to tell you the tho truth I 1 dont don't much nuch care how you Jd d decide I Again AgIn fn Lord 0 seemed almost m to to forget g caution mn almost 1 but not quite guito t per perhaps he was deterred by the tho look on Jphn Steeles Steele's face tace scornful mocking as half halt inviting him to cast all prudence prudenco to This bit ot evidence of-evidence that he had not calculated upon it was hard to give up but no other course remained B Besides another Gillett knew of ot its exIstence existence ex ex- Lord felt he could not depend on that person in an emergency of ot this kind the tho police agents agent's manner was not reassuring lie seemed inclined to be e more passive than aggressive perhaps perhaps perhaps per per- haps he had been somewhat overcome by this Unexpected revelation revel and the deep 1 waters ho he who boasted of ot an eminently respectable and reputable agency had unwittingly drifted into In climaxes of ot th character ones one's thoughts are arc like likely 1 denter t on pelf colt to the exclusion of ot patr pairon patron pa pa- tr iron tron n or employer however noble The police pollee agent looked at and waited to see what he be would do The nobleman moved toward the desk the paper fluttered from his cold fingers when once more John Steele buttoned his coat the affidavit had again found lodgment ment neut nt in his waistcoat pocket It It seemed a a. tame commonplace end t it was the end d all three r men n knew i r John asS Steeles Steele's le burning u I glance a c swept tom om Lord tord to illicit Gillett lingered with mute contemplation What now rem ro- ro re remained m to be done should be easily it seemed teemed almost too easily accomplished He Ho felt like one lingering lingering- on the stage after the curtain had gone Ione down the varied excitement tho the fierce play of emotion was over tho actors hardly ap- ap pred Interesting he said was for r Lord r alone alne f after Gillett h had g gone he laid d down wn a condition In certain respects It was a moment of ot triumph but he experienced experienced experienced no exultation only a a. supreme weariness an anxiety to be done with the affair al t to go But the one point had t. t to bo be made J emphasized n s z to be ac accepted accepted ac- ac by tho other violently quietly re resignedly re- re John John Steele did not care what his attitude might be what he chiefly c felt lr was that he did not wish to waste much mutch time on him And MAnd d if Jr I refuse to let you dictate in ina ina a purely re private cO concern L Lord RO lIons Rons- dale aFe white with h passion had d an an- sw ted for As The end will be the same you matters stand Sir Charles no doubt thinks still that you would make a desirable de de- de- de ble parti for his niece Ills wife Lady ray Wray unquestionably shares that opinion Their combined Influence might t n time prevail and Jocelyn Wray t Ss yield to t their united wishes This mis mis- C fortune with cutting deadliness of ot tone it Is obvious must be averted av You will consent n e to withdraw a all pretensions I Im in that direction or you will force me to tomake tomake m make e public this paper A full exposition exposition exposition exposi exposi- tion of or the case I think would materially att affect ct Sir Charles and I Lady ady Wray's attitUde attitude at at- as to the desirability of ot an al alliance alliance al- al liance between their family and yours And yourself You Yott forget torget with a sneer how it would affect you Myself l John Steele laughed You fool tool Do you ou imagine I would hesitate hesitateS S f that fO Mr that reason nobleman looked at him at the glowing contemptuous eyes Hesitate t r not noti You love her yourself c dJ Steele t ele stepped toward him or or-I or I have hR once been almost on Int nt of ot killing you tonight dont tonight don't dont tOke off The condition You conI connot con- con I lr not fot Gor 44 J If I I- I You would ii ep P your cowardly secret Yes this the other had replied of ot ne- ne the scene had 1131 dragged along a aUtU little UtU farther tarther then John Steele found on the stairway going down 39 11 tras over this long stubborn contest lie hardly heard or saw a a. cab drive up and stop before the house as he went out fOrthe the street was scarcely conscious of some corn one leaving It it some one about to who suddenly stopped at sight Ight of and exclaimed ea eagerly frIY warmly He lie was Val not surprised with apathy he listen listened lis lis- ten d to the newcomers newcomer's words rambling disconnected about a letter that had In Intercepted Intercepted In- In him at Brighton and brought him post haste to London Aletter A. A letter John Steele had entered the cab he sank bark back when had he written a t letter Jetter Weeks ago he looked at this fr i familiar around rJ d' d him far fr off otHet otHe He lie t the could u fog hardly was again see he he- was waa glad he did not have to stir he seemed to breathe with difficulty Where Vh Where are are re-are are we going To Rosemary villa I should I should prefer prefer prefer-my my own chambers John Steele spoke with an effort it effort it is nearer nearer and and Im I'm a a. bit done up Besides Besides Be De sides alter after a a. little rest there are some are some business matters matters to to b be attended to to- to that will wUl need looking after as soon lIoon as- as His head fell forward Captain Forsythe Forsythe Forsythe For- For sythe looked at him called up loudly excitedly to the driver To be continued |