Page:Tongues of Flame (1924).pdf/221



OPULAR imagination connected Adam John irrevocably with that bullet-crushed rib and vertebra, and Harrington saw that in this state of the public mind a fair trial for the Indian was impossible. He was brooding at his desk, slightly embittered at the uni versa] hardness of heart, when Lahleet rushed in, laboring under great excitement.

"Now, will you believe me?" she cried, eyes snapping; and, as once before, from the red silken hand-bag she plucked out a crumpled paper and flung it on his desk.

But Henry held off his hands this time. "What's this? Another stolen document? Lahleet!" His voice was thick with reproach.

Business strategy! sneered the girl. "I came by it at least as legitimately as Boland is coming by Hurricane Island."

"Hurricane Island?" inquired Henry, and curiosity overcoming scruples, he took up the paper.

For a moment there was silence, as with some pretense of deliberation, he flattened out two typewritten pages—silence save for the crackling of the linen bond—and then sudden explosive utterance: "A lease of Hurricane Island from the Edgewater & Eastern Railway Company to the Boland Cedar Company! By heavens!" he cried in outraged tones. With leaping glances Harrington gutted the pages of their meaning and his eyes lighted with understanding. "The Edge-