Page 10 (1/2)

"You do not knohat you are saying, Berkley"--Colonel Arran

choked; turned gray; then a spasrasped the ar eyes

Neither spoke again until Larraway entered, carrying an inlaid box

"Thank you, Larraway You need not wait"

"Thank you, sir"

When they were again alone Colonel Arran unlocked and opened the

box, and, behind the raised lid, remained invisibly busy for so the hidden contents

He was so very long about it that Berkley stirred at last in his

chair; and at the same moment the older man seemed to arrive at an

abrupt decision, for he closed the lid and laid two packages on the

cloth between them

"Are these mine?" asked Berkley

"They are mine," corrected the other quietly, "but I choose to

yield them to you"

"Thank you," said Berkley There was a hint of ferocity in his

voice He took the letters, turned around to look for his hat,

found it, and straightened up with a long, deep intake of breath

"I think there is nothing more to be said between us, Colonel

Arran?"

"That lies with you"

Berkley passed a steady hand across his eyes "Then, sir, there

re--" he stepped closer,

level-eyed--"and my very bitter hatred"