Part 32 (1/2)
Oncloser to blank astonish in the situation was puzzling him, and for the moment he seemed unable to cope with it
”Lawton,” he said slowly, ”shuffle those cards, or I'll shoot you where you stand”
Mr Lawton placed the cards on the table, and adjusted thehtfully
”No, you won't,” he replied ”I know you better than that You would never draeapon on any man unless he had an equal chance, and I haven't, Shelton”
I had stepped forward beside him Was there someone else at the bottom of the whole wretched business? Was it possible that lance at Mr Lawton answered a half a hundred questions which were darting throughin a baffled way, eyeing Mr Lawton in silent wonder
”So,” he said, ”you think I'll forgive you? Is it possible you are relying on my Christian spirit?”
”No,” said Mr Lawton, ”I do not ask you to forgiveI have stopped That is all--stopped, do you understand me? I should nave stopped when Jason commissioned me to kill your son I should have, if this affair with France was not beginning Even then the business sickened me What did I care about the money he stole from her? I did not want her money What did I care if the boy suspected you had not stolen it, but that Jason had it all the tilis of sense”
A dozen diether into fact I looked sharply at , with some faint suspicion of aently ”Your scruples do you credit, after all”
”It was just as well,” said Mr Lawton ”I thought the news your son was attacked would fetch you over Jason did his best to hush it up, but I knew you would suspect And you knohat it would have meant to me if I could have sent you back to France”
And yet, for soely ill at ease Like someone detected in a falsehood, he looked restlessly about him For the moment his adroitness seeesture of annoyance
”You say you have stopped?” inquiredDo you think what you say interests me? Do you think I do not know the whole daain? Why should Jason have wished to be rid of me except for her money? Why should you have helped him, except--At least it was not for money, Lawton”
But Mr Lawton did not heed ain upon the locket on the table, and the hard lines about his mouth had vanished
”And she never spoke to ain,” he said
My father started and looked at hiroaned my uncle, ”are you out of your mind?”
Mr Lawton turned sharp around and faced him with a scowl
”I told you,” he said harshly ”I told you to get me the paper, and I told you ould happen if you did not, and it is happening already, Jason I a to tell the story”
My uncle moved convulsively to his feet, and his voice was sharp and nant
”Do you suppose anyone will believe you?” he cried ”Do you fancy they will take your word against mine?”
”We will try it,” said Mr Lawton ”There are still people onder why Shelton stooped to the thing you accused him of We certainly will try it”
”And if you do,” said my uncle, ”I will shoas she who did it--that it was she who urged him on I'll tell them! D'you hear me? I'll tell them, and they'll take my word for it They'll take my word!”
”God!” cried Mr Lawton ”So that's the reason! So that's the trick you played You dog! If I had only known--”