Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-11-24

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/ accomplish by
seeing and talking with him.
The truth is, he was much disturbed.
The bitter disappointment in finding that
he had not detected the murderer had
unsettled him. Beginning in doubt, he
had gradually gone on to full convic-
ton, and had discounted his triumph.
Now everything was astray. BE had
never failed so before; he had never be-
fore been enticed so far upon a false
! scent.
He began to fear ne was losing his
cunning.
If the story were to become known,
how they would laugh at him at police
headquarters; what gleeful stories Of his
defeat would his competitors have to
tell; he would be compelled to leave
town because of their jokes and laugh
ter; his prestige would be gone in the
office of The Sol; he was now conscious,
with a feeling of self contempt, that he
had Of late been assuming airs of supe-
riority among his fellows.
Then he consoled himself with the
thought that after all no one else had
made the progress in the affair that Hol-
brook and himself had made. Then he
recollected, with another wave of self
contempt, that when he thought triumph
was theirs he had attributed all to his
own efforts and shrewdness, and now in
failure he was quite willing to take Hol-
brook into partnership. After all, say
what might be said, the affair was deep,
intricate and mysterious, back Of which
lay mass of facts which must be ascer-
tanned, arranged and digested.
Finally he said, with an inspiration of
hope:
Cali is not lost yet, and my commits
sion has not been recalled"
By that time he had reached the City
Hall park, with view of hunting up
the Shadow and relieving him from duty
for time at least, or until he was want
ed again.
As he passed the city hall he saw the
old attorney, George Parker, descend
ing the steps.
"There's the Shadows friend" he
commented. THAT old fellow is slosh-
ing around with claim against Pier
sons estate, not knowing against what
momentous affairs he may be knocking.
If there is anything crooked in his pro-
ceedings on behalf of that driveling old
drunkard in Varick street, how he will
take to cover when we light the fuse-if
we ever do"
Tom chuckled; presently an idea struck
him.
''I'n give him an interview. Perhaps
I'll elicit something"
AS the old man was about to pass,
Tom checked him.
"Good afternoon, Mr.. Parker. I've
heard that notice of a claim to Persons
estate on behalf of James Preston has
been made before the surrogate. What
is there in it,"
The old man looked at him sharply
and not with pleasant expression.
who are you?"
"Bryan, of The SOL"
cob, a reporter. hey" replied the old
man, with grin and an expression Of
relief. "You reporters are very sharp.
The notice was only filed within the
hour"
ooh, yes, we lay pretty close for the
news. But what is there in it?'
"Well, think there is good deal in
it, or the notice wouldn't have been
filed. A lawyer would naturally say
that after he had taken up a clients case,
wouldn't he? However, the matter is
not in such form yet that can talk about
it, especially without conference with
the counsel who bears the leading part.
can say this, that the notice was fled
merely as precautionary step. don't
care to say anything about it or have
anything said now. If you will promise
to say nothing now, when the matter
comes up I'll give you the inside of it e1-
clusively. That's what you young men
want-a beat-isn't it?'
Eyes, that's what we are always look
ing for" replied Tom. "I'll keep my
promise, if you will. know there will
be great story. The old man Pierson
lived double life"
What do you know about it," in
quired the old man fercely.
"Not very much, to be sure. l know
he used, to pass under another name at
one time"
"You do? What names"
fountain" coolly replied Tom. This
was reckless and audacious assump-
ton upon the part of Tom. He knew
nothing Of the kind.
Fountain, did you say" queried the
old man. knitting his brows, deeply in
terested. when, and how long agoy"
"Oh, that is my secret"
What else do you know about Pier.
SOM
That's about all. Ilearned it by &C
cident know why he assumed tit
was because he wanted to marry wo-
man under that name"
The face Of the old man took on
an expression of serious alarm. Tom
watched him narrowly.
"Ah, had he any children" asked the
old man.
"Yes, think 50. A son and daugh-
ter"
"a daughter repeated the old man,
and now he seemed puzzled. 81 think,
Mr.. Bryan, you have information of
great value to us-more value than you
know. Cannot we go to some quiet
place where we can exchange conf
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