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Page 48
He saw himself facing a checkmate. To plead, to argue with her, he knew
would profit him nothing. A new thought came to him, swift and
imperative. The end would justify the means. He clenched his hands. He
forced into his face a look that was black and vengeful. And he turned
it on her.
"Listen to me," he cried. "You are playing a game, and so am I.
Possibly we are selfish, both of us, looking each to his own interests
with no thought of the other. Will you help me, if I help you?"
Again he pitied her as he saw with what eager swiftness she caught at
his bait.
"Yes," she nodded, catching her breath. "Yes, I will help you."
His face grew blacker. He raised his clenched hands so she could see
them, and advanced a step toward her.
"Then tell me this--would you care if something happened to Shan Tung?
Would you care if he died, if he was killed, if--"
Her breath was coming faster and faster. Again the red spots blazed in
her cheeks.
"WOULD YOU CARE?" he demanded.
"No--no--I wouldn't care. He deserves to die."
"Then tell me where Shan Tung is. For my game is with him. And I
believe it is a bigger game than your game, for it is a game of life
and death. That is why I am interested in your affair. It is because I
am selfish, because I have my own score to settle, and because you can
help me. I shall ask you no more questions about yourself. And I shall
keep your secret and help you with McDowell if you will keep mine and
help me. First, where is Shan Tung?"
She hesitated for barely an instant. "He has gone out of town. He will
be away for ten days."
"But he bought no ticket; no one saw him leave by train."
"No, he walked up the river. An auto was waiting for him. He will pass
through tonight on the eastbound train on his way to Winnipeg."
"Will you tell me why he is going to Winnipeg?"
"No, I cannot."
He shrugged his shoulders. "It is scarcely necessary to ask. I can
guess. It is to see your brother."
Again he knew he had struck home.
And yet she said, "No, it is not to see my brother."
He held out his hand to her. "Miss Kirkstone, I am going to keep my
promise. I am going to help you with McDowell. Of course I demand my
price. Will you swear on your word of honor to let me know the moment
Shan Tung returns?"
"I will let you know."
Their hands clasped. Looking into her eyes, Keith saw what told him his
was not the greatest cross to bear. Miriam Kirkstone also was fighting
for her life, and as he turned to leave her, he said:
"While there is life there is hope. In settling my score with Shan Tung
I believe that I shall also settle yours. It is a strong hunch, Miss
Kirkstone, and it's holding me tight. Ten days, Shan Tung, and then--"
He left her, smiling. Miriam Kirkstone watched him go, her slim hands
clutched at her breast, her eyes aglow with a new thought, a new hope;
and as he heard the gate slam behind him, a sobbing cry rose in her
throat, and she reached out her hands as if to call him back, for
something was telling her that through this man lay the way to her
salvation.
And her lips were moaning softly, "Ten days--ten days--and then--what?"
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