Part 31 (2/2)
”You give us the first two choices?” he demanded
”The host naturally is last,” said my father ”One must always be polite”
”Then you're mad,” said Mr Lawton bluntly ”Come, Shelton, step outside, and we'll finish it on the lawn”
”And I should undoubtedly kill you,” said my father ”Pray do not tempt me, Lawton”
”I tell you, you're mad,” said Mr Lawton
”I have been told that once before today,” said my father ”And still I am not sure I have often pictured this little scene, Lawton We have only one thing to add to it Now tell me if I'm mad”
My father had reached up to his throat, and was fu at his collar
When he dreay his hand, soers
Silently he placed his closed fist on the table, opened it, and there was the gold locket which I had perceived in the , and the lid flew free Mr Lawton leaned forward, glanced at the picture inside, and then drew back very straight and pale
”Coravely ”Which is it now--madness or an appeal for justice and retribution? With her picture on the table, Lawton, I have wondered--I have often wondered, Lawton--ill be the lucky man to draw the loaded pistol? Let us leave it there, where we can watch it before we fire I have often thought that she would like it so
And now--” he nodded again and se o on”
Mr Lawton bit his lower lip, fingered the cards uncertainly, and then tossed them in the fire
”Come, come, Lawton,” said my father sharply ”Where are your manners?
Surely you are not afraid, not afraid of a picture, Lawton?”
”No,” said Mr Lawton, ”I aht I knew you better Another pack of cards for Mr Lawton, Brutus Let us trust, Lawton, that these will suit you better”
”Youto play”
”Not going to play?” exclai his eyebrows
Slowly Mr Lawton shook his head
”You are far too generous, Shelton,” he said ”If you shotme my fair deserts If I had been in your place and you in mine, both you and Jason would have been dead ten seconds after I had entered the door”
”Don't be a fool, Lawton,” cried !”
”I have thought,” he replied sharply ”The game is over, Shelton, and I knohen I aot the paper, Jason, and you reet it, I should tell the whole story, and now, by heaven, I will Every
I told you I would be shut out of this business, and I mean it, Jason”