Part 4 (2/2)

”By God!” shouted Mr Lawton, ”I've had enough of your da airs? You're a coward, Shelton Why conceal it from me? A coward, afraid to demand satisfaction after a public insult--a thief with your theft still about you I've cohtful owners Try your drunkard's bragging on stupefied boys, but not on ive that letter up?”

My father's hand that held the snuff box trelance was almost furtive as he looked from Mr Sims back to Mr Lawton For a moment he stared half-puzzled at Mr Lawton's pistol Then he moistened his lips

”Suppose I should refuse?” he asked

With a wan s chin

”In that case,” he said, ”I shall summon five men who searched you first If they do not find the letter, I shall give you one more chance to produce it”

”Of course you realize your action is illegal?” hed

”We've beaten about the bush long enough,” he said ”Will I have to reain that I didn't coive up that paper?”

With a sigh of resignation, my father fumbled in his breast pocket When he spoke, it seemed a weak appeal to justify his action

”Under the circuh it seeiven , sealed document, which he handed across the table

Mr Lawton's eyes glistened with anticipation as he took it He held it over the table to scan the seal

”daot it just as I said ould! Didn't I tell you--”

His voice choked He burst into a violent fit of sneezing My father had thrown the contents of his snuff box into Mr Lawton's face

If his chair had been of hot iron, he could not have moved more quickly

Almost the same moment, Mr Lawton's pistol was in my father's hand, cocked and primed and pointed at Mr Sims

”Brutus,” said my father, ”unburden Mr Siht air o to theand reflect on the slip that ive Mr Lawton your arm assist me to open the shutters Now Mr Lawton, call to your o Louder, louder, Mr Lawton

Surely your voice hastime with its clamor”

V

Even today, as I pen these lines, the picture comes back with the same intensity, but little aunt old roouests, e but the faint chill that had coh the openedto reht of the two candles that had begun spluttering in the tall brass sticks--Brutus with quiet adroitness clearing away the bottles and the dishes--and a sudden burst of fla in the fireplace that made his shadow juuidly in his chair again, quite as though nothing had happened--I re out of the ordinary had passed in the last fivein histhere for the past hour in peaceful hts when the rooht with silver and candles?

”My son,” he re to you before our callers interrupted that there are just two things I never do Do you still care to know theht It is that circue me to keep my word”

”You do not care to tell me any more?” I asked him