The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-05-21

when I had them in my hands once
before. What is your price, my brave
fellow?"
Give thousand dollars"
"You must be crazyl That sum just
to get these few papers? o, I fear you
must whistle again before you Will be
able to get that sum from me.
Jim hastily put the papers in deep,
inside pocket and drew out from an
other a large roll of bills and counted
out to the unknown three hundred
dollars.
"That is every cent I will give you
for getting those papers, and as it is ]
may be just throwing money away, fSf
it is more than probable that l may
never realize one cent from all this
trouble and expense
As Jim looked up, he saw dark,
threatening look in the unknown's face;
it was something rather new, as he had
never seen it before, but he did not
take warning.
as that oil the money, Jim, that you
are going to give me for all the time
and money I have spent here in this
horrible, CHASTITY place?"
did T not say that that was every
cent would pay you? Yes; and as it
is, you are getting good money. l am
going to be off now, and want you to
20 to Springfield and investigate mat
ters thoroughly. As soon as you are
ready for the last act wire me and I
will be on hand"
The unknown's eyes we're flashing
fire; the very demon of hatred and re-
venge filled his whole soul at the little
ness of Swarthy Jim.
He sprang from the chair in which
he sat, and looked straight in the eyes
of the man in front of him.
"Sylvester Noll-I suppose that is
your right name-I swear, by all that
is good and evil, that if you do not
play fair in this game, and not act so
confounded small, thatI will be even
with you. I fortunately have the cards
in my own hands this time. will
give you just three minutes to decide
to either give me the five thousand or
let it stand just as it is. Remember:
I'll wire you at Springfield when I need
you, regardless of your decision.
Non was considerably surprised at
the way in which the unknown spoke
and acted, but thinking there was moth
ing in it, more than his accomplice in
tended, if possible, to get the money by
threats, he decided that no man could
frighten him, much less this fellow who
was in his power.
"Ah, hal Ny boy, you forget who
you are talking to, and you must not
forget that you are in my power. 1
have said what I would do concerning
this affair, and that settles it. Good
day, sir"
Every well, go, you small-hearted
blackleg. I meant what 1 said, and
shall act accordingly"
It was after nine o'clock in the even
ing, and cold fog was rising off the
creek.
The air was very damp and chilly,
and so were all the mysterious under
ground rooms of the old cabin.
The once beautiful room was now
terribly gloomy and desolate, for Non
had packed and carried off most of tho
yalubles.
The unknown sat there for hours in
deep thought, entirely regardless of
the late hour or the dampness of the
dreary room. The cold wind came
whistling down the chimney, scattering
the dead Goals and ashes over the
hearth.
Dark, dangerous thoughts passed
through the angry mans mind; he was
determined to have revenge, even if,
in the end, it should cost him his life.
@Ah. yes, I have it now, as sure as I
this moment breathe. I have him
there at Springfield. He will never
leave it free man. All, yes, I'll wire
him. and, by thunder! he shall never
seq that pretty little heiress again. I
swear it! He is the author of enough
crimes for one man, and now comes the
day Of reckoning.
"Ah, Sylvester Noll! for your own
safety and success you had better given
me those five thousand dollars than to
have been quite 80 penurious as you
were tonight"
He rose with stern, determined ex-
preston on his handsome face, and left
the cabin to return to it no more.
FRO BE Continued