"
I don't think I have ever seen Kennedy in a more towering rage
than he was at that moment.
"When it was only a matter of a paltry poisoned dagger at stake
and a fortune that may be mythical or may be like that of Croesus,
for all I care, we could play the game according to rules," he
exclaimed. "But when you begin to tamper with a life like that of
Inez de Mendoza--you have passed the bounds of all consideration.
You have the Star? Telephone the story anyhow. We'll arbitrate
afterward."
I think, as I related the facts to my editor, it sobered us all a
great deal.
"Kennedy," appealed Lockwood at last, as I hung up the receiver,
"will you listen to my story?"
"It is what I am here for," replied Craig grimly.
"Believe it or not, as far as I am concerned," asserted Lockwood,
"this is all news to me. My God--where is she?"
"Then how came you here?" demanded Craig.
"I can speak only for myself," hastened Lockwood. "If you had
asked where Whitney was, I could have understood, but--"
"Well, where is he?"
"We don't know. Early this afternoon I received a hurried message
from him--at least I suppose it was from him--that he had the
dagger and was up here. He said--I'll be perfectly frank--he said
that he was arranging a conference at which all of us were to be
present to decide what to do.
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