A dead silence followed--few realized the situation--broken sharply by a scream from Tanner, as, wild-eyed, his nerves shattered by the strain he had labored under, and the story he had been compelled to listen to, beheld the telltale brown suit on its rightful owner. One staring, agonized look, as though on the accusing face of his victim, and Tanner’s spirit was broken. He was no weakling, but before this unexpected and daring stroke of Klein’s the actor collapsed. Another outburst followed the first, and, as if desirous of fleeing from further torment, Tanner whirled, knocked the astounded reporter aside, and sprang through the window. CHAPTER XXXIV. UNTANGLING THE WEB. “Watch Jarge!” cried Klein to one of the detectives, as he sprang through the window, followed by the chief of police. Tanner fell upon the porch, scrambled madly to his feet, gazed bewilderedly about him, then dashed away over the narrow footbridge that led to Eagle’s Nest. Klein and the chief were a few paces behind. At the summerhouse Tanner hesitated, vainly searching for an avenue of escape, seeming to realize, for the first time, that he was trapped. Suddenly, with a despairing cry, followed by a mocking, hysterical laugh, the actor-crook deliberately hurled himself against the frail railing, and as Klein darted forward with a cry of horror on his lips, Tanner disappeared over the edge of the cliff. “Good Lord!” exclaimed the chief, reaching Klein’s side. “The man must have been mad!” The two men peered over the cliff’s edge. The white surf dashed at the rock base, thundering its eternal song, and the curling foam glistened in the moonlight like lace. That was all. The men retraced their steps. As they reached the porch the chief said: “There’s a strong undertow along here, but I’ll have my men look for the body.” When the news was given to those inside the house, Jarge’s cloak of indifference dropped. Tanner’s death broke his nerve. He huddled back in his chair, as if fear had come to him for the first time.