Argosy, Vol. 122, No. 1 — page 139: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE HOUSE diced. He charged that this man had once bought a lot from La Salle and afterwards quarreled with La Salle about the terms. He proved the man still holds a grudge against La Salle. “This morning the man told a different story. -The judge had no option but to dismiss the entire jury and call it a mis- trial. And Barr is fairly drunk with tri- umph because he knows a delay now, a postponement, is as good as La Salle’s ac- quittal—” “You mean he will never be tried again?” “ Never is a long word—yet that’s about the size of it. The court calendars are jammed. Only by rare luck did we get this case to trial so soon. Now it means waiting for months, and heaven knows where our witnesses will be by then. Worst of all, Diana, the prosecutor goes out of office soon. His successor,may not be’ so keen about our case. ‘So, you see, we’re done for—licked. Got to get used to it, I guess—suppose that’s part of the game, but it’s teugh, Diana. I—I’d counted a lot on putting this thing over. Well!” Devree rose. By a mighty effort he managed even to smile, but the smile was a crooked, sorry affair. ' “Wait,” whispered Diana, on her feet beside him. ‘“‘ Wait, Gordon. There’s another thing to settle between us—”’ “ Another thing! Oh—I see what you mean. Of course, that’s all off. I under- stood that your promise was conditional on my winning—” ‘But, Gordon—suppose I were to care for somebody very much—oh, very much indeed. Do you think—that my promise— would have a string to it? Don’t you sup- pose I might—want to keep it—anyway!”’ “No,” said Devree roughly. “I’ve no business listening to such talk—you’ve no business tempting me to listen. For your own sake, don’t say it! Diana, 2 under- stand you—pretty well now. You're not the sort to tie yourself to a failure, and— and here’s one—failure—who won’t let you do it—”’ “Now, Gordon ”—Diana spoke with a strangely brilliant smile—“ I’m not very 9 ARGOsY OF FRAUD. 129 used to—well, urging myself—where I’m not wanted. But, my dear—if you will take me—Gordon—”’ “Don’t say it.” _Devree’s voice strangled with emotion. “If I let you say—that— you’d regret it bitterly. I know! Don’t I make myself plain! I don’t want—your promise.”” He turned his back oh her. Left alone, Diana watched him go with a queer, blank look. Then she flushed red, - and her chin went into the air with a toss. She could forgive Devree a great deal, but not this jilting. Of those about him—La Salle was the only one to show no particular surprise at the dramatic termination of his jeopardy. While Barr joked and laughed among the dozen or more men who congratulated him on his shrewdness, La Salle remained at the table, pale and thoughtful, drumming his fingers and waiting. Presently he picked up his hat and coat, and moved slowly from the court-room, following the last of the crowd. Tall, slightly stooped, he moved with his usual unruffled calm, his head carried a little in advance of his body, the face perfectly wooden in its repose. At the entrance to the building he waited until Barr joimed him. They entered Barr’s car, and were driven several mo- ments in silence. “Well,” Barr chuckled, “ satisfied?” La Salle considered silently. “Told you I’d do it alone.” ce H-m! ”) “T got you off; what you kicking about!” “ Ah, did you?” “You know damn well I did! What d’you think it was, an accident? Think I passed that juror without knowing all about him? God, you're dense!” “So, it was a frame-up? How about the juror? Likely to charge him with per- jury, eh?” “* He should worry,” Barr winked signifi- | cantly. “I’m looking after him—” “All right. I don’t want to know the details.” ‘You don’t look very grateful, strikes me. Hell, I pull a good thing like that, cComiclbooks.com