Part 37 (1/2)

Garrison almost staggered. It was like a bolt from the bluest sky, where naught but the sun of glory had been visible.

”Dorothy! What does he mean?” he said, turning at once to the girl.

She sank weakly to a chair and could not meet the question in his eyes.

”Didn't you hear what I said?” demanded the visitor. ”This is my wife and I'd like to know what it means, you or somebody else pa.s.sing yourself off in my place!”

Garrison still looked at Dorothy.

”This isn't true, what the man is saying?” he inquired.

She tried to look up. ”I--I---- Forgive me, please,” she said.

”He's--He followed me here----”

”Certainly I followed,” interrupted the stranger. ”Why wouldn't I follow my wife? What does this mean, all this stuff they've been printing in the papers about some man pa.s.sing as your husband?” He s.n.a.t.c.hed out a newspaper abruptly, and waved it in the air.

”And if you're the man,” he added, turning to Garrison, ”I'll inform you right now----”

”That will do for you,” Garrison interrupted. ”This lady has come to my office on a matter of business. My services to her have nothing to do with you or any of your claims. And let me impress upon you the fact that her affairs with me are private in character, and that you are here uninvited.”

”The devil I am!” answered Fairfax, practically as cool as Garrison himself. ”I'll inform you that a man needs no invitation from a stranger, lawyer, detective, or otherwise, to seek the presence of his wife. And now that I've found her I demand that she come along with me!”

Dorothy started to her feet and fled behind Garrison.

”Please don't let him stay!” she said. ”Don't let him touch me, please!”

Garrison faced the intruder calmly.

”I permit no one to issue orders in this office, either to me or my clients,” he said. ”Unless you are a far better man than I, you will do nothing to compel this lady to depart until she wishes to do so.

You will oblige me by leaving my office.”

”I'll do nothing of the sort!” answered Fairfax. ”Your bluff sounds big, but I'm here to call it, understand? Dorothy, I command you to come.”

”I will not go with such a man as you!” she cried in a sudden burst of anger. ”You left me shamefully, half an hour after we were married!

You've been no husband to me! You have only come back because you heard there might be money! I never wish to see you again!”

”Well, you're going to hear from me, now!” said Fairfax. ”As for you, Mr. Garrison, a.s.suming my name and----”

He was making a movement toward his pocket, throwing back his coat.

”Drop that!” interrupted Garrison. He had drawn his revolver with a quickness that was startling. ”Up with your hand!”

Fairfax halted his impulse. His hand hung oscillating at the edge of his coat. A ghastly pallor overspread his face. His eyes took on a look of supernatural brightness. His mouth dropped open. He crouched a trifle forward, staring fixedly at the table. His hand had fallen at his side. He began to whisper:

”His brains are scattered everywhere, I see them--see them--everywhere--everywhere!” His hand came up before his eyes, the fingers spread like talons. He cried out brokenly, and, turning abruptly, hastened through the door, and they heard him running down the hall.

Dorothy had turned very white. She looked at Garrison almost wildly.