Lyon County times. [volume] (Silver City, Nev.) 1874-1907, 1892-03-12
THE TALL MAN IS SURPRISED.


As soon as Dan Riggsby had finished
his work about the house for the night,
he retired to his room upstairs. Light
ing a kerosene lamp which sat on table
near his bed, he opened small bookcase
containing dozen well worn volumes,
and after gazing fondly at them for sew
eral moments he drew forth work on
natural philosophy, and seating himself
by the table began TO read.
Dan was an industrious and studious
boy, and nothing afforded him so much
satisfaction and pleasure as those short
periods after working hours when he
could retire to his room and be alone
with his books. The Riggsbys were
poor and books were costly in those
days, and it was not often that Dan
could afford the luxury of new book.
Among the small collection of vol
umes in the bookcase were two works OF
fiction, "The Vicar of Wakefield" by
Goldsmith, and The Fair Maid OF
Perth" by Sir Walter Scott. There were
old volumes when he had come into
possession of them, but now deprived Of
their covers and worn with much ham
ding, they had come to resemble huge
Eastwood chips. Yet they were the
most priced of the collection.
There was not a book in the case that
he had not read over and over again
several times, and how often he would
long for the day to come when he could
purchase other books of which he had
heard, the possession of which was his
crowning ambition.
For over an hour he sat there absorbed
in the book before him, then returning
it carefully to the bookcase, he hastily
undressed, and extinguishing the light
he retired to his bed.
For some time he lay there listening
to the beating of the rain ON the roof
and the roaring of the wind without. till
at last sense of drowsiness stole over
him. and he was just dropping into
slumber when the sound of voices in the
adjoining room aroused him. He recog-
nized the voices as belonging to the two
strangers who occupied the next room.
Only thin board partition separated
the two rooms, and the voices We're quite
audible. Without any intention of play
ing eavesdropper, Dan could hear what
was said, and in the first words he recog-
nized the voice of the tall man.
''l am of the opinion that we can't get
through with this business any too quick
ly," said the voice, in low but distinct
tones.
"Do you think we are running any
great risky asked the short man.
I'm afraid So"
But the interested parties are thou
sand miles away, and there is no way in
which they can gain any clew to the
business unless we are fools enough to
tell them"
But am not sure of that?"
"Why?"
LAS said before am not sure that
Barnaby did not write the letter notify.
ing the woman and boy of the death o.
our client, and of the will he made"
THAT places matters in rather un-
pleasant shape"
1T does indeed. If old Barnaby had
died few days sooner it might have
saved us deal of trouble. never
fancied him for a partner; he was toe
conscientious entirely. OF course his
name drew large business to our firm,
but he threw away many golden oppor-
tunities of making a handsome thing,
simply because he was"--
"Too honest" supplied the voice of the
short man with low laugh. "You could
never be complained of on that score"
I'VE are two of kind" was the re-
tort. But to our business-we must
hurry through with it with as much ex-
pedition as will seem consistent"
That's capital idea, for it would be
extremely awkward for us if the old
woman and boy should come staggering
in there from Georgia and assert their
rights"
"There is one thing that makes me
think Barnaby never sent that letter to