Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1891-11-19
Nehannstwn Frederick County, Maryland Thursday November 49, 1884,

| A)iiioIiSUc AAoIS A"SN cooi Soo" AANh"SS
ment, no doubt" l said, feeling rathe
nettled, 1 own. "Wait II Bit you vii
see which is the better man of the two.
"I'll back Sm-" SAID Miles, bu
he remembered that George was my
friend and said no more.
came across Miles in nearly tho
same place next day.
"Heart the latest p he shouted, ant
then proceeded to explain that forger
who had been wanted for some time
was supposed to be in London, and that
a large reward was offered for him.
Both on the war trail this time,
SAID Miles. (Which will be the better
man now, eh ? Getting exciting, isn't
it?'
That evening George, who had been
out all day, Came quickly into the room
soon after six.
l knew by his look that he was en-
ployed on some important mission.
| His brows were drawn down into sin.
gle straight line, and his lips were firm
ly pressed together.
lie stood for some time on the hearth.
rug, evidently in deep thought. He
had not removed his top coat.
"Are you off again ?" asked.
! He looked up suddenly.
Gong to drive to Holloway he SAID.
"Wili you Gomez
knew by this that he would tell me
more of his errand. | rose at once.
He looked at his watch.
The cab will be round here in a few
minutes he said. Ill tell you what
it is, Tom. if l miss this, shall give
up this work altogether. l have not
been very lucky lately, old man, though
I haye not worried you about my af-
fairs.
They never worry me- I began, 4
only wish you-
4 know, I know lie interrupted
kinkly You think your back is broad
enough to carry my cares as we'll as
yours, but you shall never have mine
to bother you, Tom, while you have got
any Of your own. This is the thing you
have heard of'-and then he went OH 10
tell me the details OF the case that
Miles had referred to.
I came across the track this after
noon,' he said, and now it's only a
question Of time
He drew a deep breath of relief, and
threw his shoulders back. 4 did make
mess of that last thing and that makes
me more keen about this. You sec,
there's another man { knew he meant
SmoletD who would give good bit to
get hold of this Job before me, but
there's not much fear of my losing it
now
He smiled as he spoke. and looked
more hopeful than he had done for a
long time.
We said nothing more and drove oil.
1t was IA wet, cold night, and l was
glad when the cab stopped, and we left
1t at the corner of a shabby looking side
street.
Third door on che right said George
partly to himself, past the coal yard
over the butchers. You wait here for
two minutes, Tom If | am not back
then, you follow me. Back room on
the top of the staircase. 1 may want
You. Don't stand in the wet here's a
doorway. to shelter in.
At the end of two minutes I was
quietly climbing up the narrow, dark
staircase. No sound of voices any
where.
Birds flown. Bad luck to him, |
thought. lawfully hard on George,
poor fellow
was at the top when suddenly there
came the sound ESQ seldom heard) of Il
mans voice broken by sobs, striving to
speak quickly and coherent!y.
'Ah found IT'S no 60, confessing his
ains,' smiled to myself, and pushed
the door ajar.
All! how could l have know
Georges voice. always so quiet. so self
controlled? How could | recognize
George himself, knpeling on the floor,
by the side of a poor miserable bed,
holding in his arms the figure of man.
A head was resting on his shoulder his
hands were smoothing back the dark
hair from thin, white face on which
his own tears We're fast falling.
Come. my boy, no time to lose. You
know me? Bob dear, quick, say you
know me--your father, Bob, it's only
your father; you must get out OF this,
no one knows but me, Bob, no one will
follow you-quick. quick.
And with sob in his throat, he
turned round and saw me.