The Bloomfield times. [volume] (New Bloomfield, Pa.) 1867-187?, 1874-01-27
he found him pacing the floor in ANYTHING

"Hal Who are you, sir, that comes thus
unbidden upon my privacyP' exclaimed
Berkley, starting back, as his eyes rested
upon the huge proportions Of the new
conner
81 think you have seen me before" cool
ly returned Chiron, as he set his ponderous
rifle against the panelling Of the wall.
Seen you, SIR" uttered the agent, still
trembling before the powerful hunter. al
have met you in the street, but wherefore
do you thus intrude upon me unannoucedP
Do you take my residence for common
imp"
90, no, one of the servants in the yard
told me that you were in this room, and he
also had the kindness to offer to call you
out, but as my business was somewhat of
private nature dispensed with his SER
vices"
"Then, sir, trust you will get through
with your business as soon as possible"
said Mr.. Berkeley, in a more confident tone,
for his presence of mind had begun to re-
turn to him.
The old hunter bent a searching glance
upon tie man before him, and in mean
ing tone he asked
Have you heard that the young man,
whom you had confined in the Jail yester-
day, was dead?"
Young Chester, do you meanP" return
ed Berkley, while sparkling light shot
through his eyes.
| i III
"No, had not heard of it, At what
time did he die?"
go, he is not dead YETI
" And is he sick ?' asked Berkeley, with
an earnestness and nervous impatience
which he could not hide.
"No, he was never better in his life,"
returned Chiron.
A single instant Roswell Berkeley gazed
into the calm features of his gigantic vis-
tor, and then, while sudden tremor shook
his frame, he grasped the back of his chair
for support.
Z" You scoundrel p uttered the agent at
length, "what mean you by this tauntingP''
alt seems to affect you wonderfully,
sir, said Chiron, in sarcastic tone, still
keeping his eyes bent upon the man before
him.
p" had thought the poor youth might
be in reality dead, and it is no wonder that
such a result should have moved me, re-
turned Mr.. Berkeley, suddenly changing his
manner to one of the utmost solicitude.
"There was death in the Jail last
night" said Chiron, "and knew not but
you might have heard of it,. Two rats died
in young Chester's cell"
"What mean you by this dummery ?"
exclaimed Berkeley, again shrinking before
the gaze of his visitor.
Z" But is it not strange, sir that those
rats should have died in Chester's cell ?"
asked Chiron, seeming not to heed his
companion manner.
" Sir p' cried Berkeley, bursting into
rage, "have done with your impudent fool
ing; and if you have anything to say, say
it quickly for would be alone"
"Those rats, sir" resumed Chiron, with
the most imperturbable coolness 'ate most
of the bread which was left for young
Chester last night, and / should not won
der If that caused their death. At any
rate, think the matter had better be in
quired into"
"And was the bread all eaten? Was
there any part of it left ?" asked Berkley,
with sudden energy.
"There was small piece left, but it
was destroyed and thrown away" answer
ed Chron.
Roswell Berkley breathed more freely as
he heard this, and after collecting his SEEM
ingly scattered senses, he said
"This was some mere accident-some
strange freak of nature-this death of the
rats. They were probably halEfamished,
and thus overate themselves"
every likely. Indeed, think they
must have overeaten themselves" returned
the old hunter, and as he spoke, all signs
of the searching gaze that had dwelt upon
his features passed away, for he had seen
enough to convince him that the man be-
fore him was the protector OF the poisoned
bread. Chiron now knew with whom and
with young Chester had to deal, and he
could not repress the look Of contempt that
worked up from his soul as he looked upon
the miserable villain before him.
''Now sir said Berkley, assuming his
usual naughty tone and manner, "if you
have nothing more 10 communicate,
would thank you for your absence, and if
there is anything wrong at the jail, will