iding
Mr. Whitmore and with each word he grew more excited. Finally he called
Mr. Whitmore a vile name. Then Mr. Whitmore opened up on Collins.

"'You cur!' Mr. Whitmore shouted. 'You've been unfaithful to your
wife--you betrayed the other woman! You lied to both of them! You made
the other woman believe you intended to marry her, and made her your
mistress! She's been your mistress over three years now, pleading and
imploring that you keep your promise. You've wrecked two lives and now
you have the hardihood to come here and accuse your wife--why, you're so
low and vile and worthless--'

"'Cut that out!' Collins broke in. 'I want an explanation of this
letter!'

"Collins waved the letter which he had intercepted, but Mr. Whitmore
tried to dismiss him with a shrug of disgust. Finally Collins repeated
the vile epithet which he had called my employer. Then he hurled another
epithet at his wife. That enraged Mr. Whitmore and he leaped for
Collins. Collins jumped back and whipped out a pistol. At the same
instant Ward hurled himself at Collins. In order to prevent a tragedy I
switched out the light. There was a short scuffle in the darkness, then
a shot rang out. I heard Mr. Whitmore groan.

"Instantly I switched on the light. Mr. Whitmore was leaning against a
table, one hand pressed against his abdomen. Collins was cowering
against the opposite wall.

"The pistol was in Ward's hand."

Beard paused, overcome by the crushing pain of the memories that crowded
on his brain. The fact that all but one of the participants in the
tragedy were present now, made the anguish all the more acute.

"I helped Mr. Whitmore into a chair," Beard proceeded in a sobbing
voice. "And I heard him say, 'Well, I guess I'm done for!'

"Mrs. Collins then came over and threw her arms about his neck, kissing
him and imploring him not to die. Ward joined the group, and with tears
running down his cheeks, said:

"'I fired the shot. But I meant to kill that dog'--pointing to Collins.
'I meant to avenge the insult to my sister. I hope the wound won't prove
serious.'

"There is no doubt that Ward had wrenched the pistol out of Collins's
hand and meant to kill him. But Mr. Whitmore also had tried to get the
weapon. And in the darkness there was a mix-up in which Collins managed
to slip away after he lost the weapon. When Ward fired, the bullet
struck Whitmore. That is the truth of the matter," Beard added
imploringly.

Mrs. Collins had burie