Argosy, Vol. 123, No. 1 — page 130: what you’re looking at

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

120 because I refused to hear a word against Nils, and insisted that the fault had not been his. Though I would not go into the details of what had taken place in Moore’s library, I stuck at that one truth, and Dad, at least, who had taken a fancy to Nils the evening he dined at our house, believed me. Altogether, however, it was a bad after- noon, and that night in my bedroom the face came again. I knew it was he, though the room was dark and I could not see him clearly. He had become so like as that to a material being! ‘“‘'You have done well!” he began. ‘“ But, to make one small criticism, you must learn not to blush so easily. When your father commended your loyalty you reddened and stammered till, if you had not been among friends, suspicion might have been roused.” “My confusion only lasted a moment,” I defended. Then I remembered. ‘ You go!” I said. ‘What do I want of you and your criticisms or advice? You have brought me enough unhappiness. I am a sneak and a criminal, and all through you!” “ Ingratitude is the only real crime,” he retorted sententiously. ‘‘ Always be grate- ful, and show it! You have brought un- happiness on yourself, and it is I who point the way out. So far you have followed my advice. Why turn on me now?” “Liar!” I fairly hissed. ‘If you can read my thoughts, you know that I have planned otherwise than you would have me! I am doing as Nils wished without regard to you, and not for the sake of my- self. And let me tell you this! If there arises the slightest prospect that my friend will not be cleared, I shall confess. To- morrow will decide it. If things go badly for him at the inquest, my people will have to suffer. The shame and loss he is trying to save them from would be nothing, then, to the shame involved by silence!” Had the face possessed shoulders, I know he would have shrugged them. ‘You are wrong, but we need not dis- cuss that. I tell you in advance that your friend will be held for wilful murder. _ Did you know quite all that I know, you would not hope for a different indictment.” -The strings of my heart contracted. I passed a breathless moment of realization. THE ARGOSY. Then: firmly. “To-morrow you will choose a lawyer for your friend, and begin the work which will surely achieve his release.” “You do not know that! You have ad- mitted that you are capable of mistakes.”’ ‘“ Not in a case of this kind. I possess a wide knowledge of facts which enables to be very sure that your friend will get his release. I am your unswerving ally. And remember that I have not only wis- dom, but some power.”’ “Oh, you are—leave me!” I cried aloud. “In God’s name, go!’ The faintly-seen oval of his smooth face faded, though more slowly than in the cell at the station-house. I heard a soft swish of slippered feet in the hall. Someone rapped lightly and opened my door. “Clay, dear,” said my mother, “‘ did you call? Are you ill?” “No. I had a bad dream and awoke crying out because of it.” “One can’t wonder at that.” She came and sat on the edge of my bed. “ Such an awful thing for you to be involved in! Please, dear son, keep to your own class after this. Trouble always comes of ming- ling with queer Bohemian people who have no standards, or—or morals.” ‘Nils Berquist has the highest standard of any man I know!” I was fiercely defen- sive. There was a pause of silence. Then in the dark she leaned and kissed my forehead. ‘You are so like him!” she murmured. I groaned. ‘If only that were true!” ‘But you are. With those blue, clear eyes of his, that saw only beauty and love. He would never hear a word against a friend.” ‘* Mother! like—”’ ‘Your uncle, yes. And in some strange way I feel sure that his guarding influence is really about us. Why, when I came into the room just now I had the queerest feel- ing—as if it were a room in a dream, or— no, I can’t convey the feeling in words. But the sense of his presence was in it. I do truly believe that he has returned to ‘To-morrow I confess!” I said You meant that I am comicloool< C©