The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1890-01-23
sane QeiuSlOnS.

De dangerous. OF lDUetu, FeHecIlng at
all upon the possible consequences of
my course of action-for l was then
Young and inexperienced, and some
what flushed with the success which
had been so easily won for me by my
beautiful witness-I moved his dis
charge, which motion was of course,
granted; and. in company with his wife
and daughter, he left the court.
Some minutes later it dawned upon
me that, in his present mood, their
presence with him might not be safe,
and | rushed to the street to find that
they had disappeared.
That night | was seated alone in my
Office, where | spent the greater part
of my time. | was bachelor and did
little more than sleep and occasionally
entertain few friends in the gloomy
apartments which | called home.
AsI sat in an easy-chair in half
somnolent idleness, enjoying my
fragrant cigar, l heard a Ii ght step on
the stairs Ordinarily this would per.
haps scarcely have attracted my at
tention, but now-whether it was that
there was something stealthy in the
step, or from some other cause l do
Got know-at the instant | heard the
sound, | felt a strange premonition of
danger. and in consequence arose and
shifted my position to the side of the
room, so as TO face any visitor who
might enter.
For little time | sat in perfect
silence. At last | heard the door slowly
open.
what! you here?" l exclaimed, as
my strange client entered the room.
Yes" he answered. with the helI
of the girl you saved me from going to
prison. For that | thank you. But
you also discovered my secret. For
that am come to kill you. My life is
not safe while you live. Self-preserva-
ton is the first law of nature"
- SO saying he drew from behind his
coat huge butchers knife, and pro-
ceeded calmly to feel its edge, at the
same time looking about to see whether
there was any means of escape save by
the door, to reach which | must pass
him.
The inspection seemed to satisfy
him, and well it might. for we were on
the third floor, rear, of large build
ing, used exclusively as offices, and we
We're the only people in it, save the
deaf old janitress, who lived on the top
floor under the roof.
| knew that my only chance of eS-
cape. if any chance there was, lay in
keeping my possession and turning
the madman's mind from his purpose
by some diversion adapted to reach his
fancy.
But l could see that he was cunning
and alert, rs insane people usually are,
and not to be easily duped.
A struggle with him was not to be
thought of since, to say nothing of his
weapon, he was man of tremendous
frame, with muscles of iron-a very
Hercules; while | was slightly built,
and all my muscles were flabby,
from the want of systematic exercise.
Accordingly | summed up all my
resolution to answer him in the coolest
tones could command and actually
surprised myself by the calmneSs of my
voice as | replied:
Yes, l looked for you, and came
here to meet YOU"
You lie!' he answered with a sneer
and frown. Had you believed
Houio toliC litIC oli tIlC lIttf e
you would have gone into the tigers
lair as quickly as come here unarmed
and alone
You are mistaken ! rejoined, lin
supposing other people to possess the
same cowardly fear of death as your
self. But, to be frank with you, l did
not anticipate the nature of your
errand. Had | done So | should have
been prepared to foil YOU
When | saw you look from the girl
in the witness-boX to me in the dock, :"
he said. II caught the meaning of your
look. and knew you had OWNED that
she was not my child, but the daughter
of my wife's first husband, whom l
murdered. So you did not expect me
to kill you? Pray tell me on what
errand you expected me to Gomez"
And as he spoke, his great brilliant
eyes fairly flashed fire.
My heart was beating fast with abso-
lutte terror; bat | continued my self-re-
straint by mighty endeavor, and an
swered quietly:
ITO buy my silence"
And be for ever in your power? l
am no such fool as that. Say your
prayers for in five minutes you die!n
/ looked at him with a sneer upon my
lips, and said:
You think yourself very shrewd;
but | have outwitted you. By killing
me you take the surest way to make
your secret known
Il suppose" he answered with a
sneering laugh, that you refer to some
ghostly nonsense. But | know that
dead men tell no tales ~
True; but living men may write
down tales to be read after they are
dead, | replied; ''and l have written
the facts | have learned and the sus-
picions ! have formed concerning your
crime, and have enclosed the paper
with my will, to beread after my death,
unless sooner purchased by you"
Then l must have that paper! he
exclaimed, his pale brow lowering like q
thunder-cloud and his eyes flashing like
the lightning's startling blaze. Il will
torture you until you give it upr'
As he spoke, | saw that the master
passion of his soul was a covering
terror of meeting felon's death.
Il defy your torture.'' l said, draw
ing forth a small phial of toothache
mixture. This poison viii produce
instant death, and | assure you that
will take it the instant you attempt to
lay hand on me-"
a look of agony came into his face as
he scrutinisea me. This was gradually
changed into one of deadly hate.
Perspiration in great drops like beads
stood upon his brow.
At last ] could see, by the cunning
glances which flashed from his steel
grey eyes, that he had resolved to tenn
porise.
Where do you keep the paper?" he
asked.
In yonder safe" l replied, pointin g
to the huge tireproof built in the wall.
Behold vault that will easily resist
all your puny efforts to break open. be-
ing both burglar and tire-proof,"
If spare your life, viii you give
me the paper?n he asked eagerly.
knew that this was only ruse to
get the paper. and that, after obtaining
bo RI apr