The Globe-republican. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1889-1910, 1892-05-30
CHAPTER KALI.

|
assembled, he introduced the detective
to the company as his lawyer, Mr.. Ajax
Crawley.
The introduction was mutually &C.
knowledged in a most gentlemanly way.
Then Malvin drew Paxton aside, and
while the others resumed the converse
ton, which had been interrupted by the
entrance Of the disguised detective,
Malvin said:
Il expected you would drop me line
to-day"
Il wrote yon. Strange if you did not
receive my letter" answered Paxton.
We'll, did not receive it. But tell
me, how about Andrews case?"
Paxton felt that he was in deep water,
but he knew that il he hesitated he was
betrayed, and so he promptly replied:
4 think we shall fix it all right, pro
rata"
Malvin regarded the detective with a
look of amaZement.
Paxton comprehended that he must
have made mistake in this answer.
What has 60 completely changed
your opinion? Didn't you tell me there
was no possibility of getting the SEN
tence commuted?" the other asked.
The detective saw his way again.
He replied:
Yes. But since I saw you I've made
the acquaintance of a local politician
who is power with the authorities, and
he has promised to use his influence to
secure the clemency of the law for An
drews. Beyond the posse comitatus is
our hope"
He had not forgotten Crawley's fond
ness for using law Latin terms, whether
correctly or otherwise.
This is good news. You are Q trump,
Crawley. You have taken a weight of
my mind. Andrews might have made
some ugly disclosures II We did not help
him cheat the hangman."
Il thought you were anxious about
the matter, for in my note told you to
call at my Office to-day. I had an idea
my letter might have failed to reach
you.
Il should have been to the Office IL
had heard from you" answered Malvin.
At that moment q cOlOred waiter an
nounced supper, and Malvin said:
you have dropped in just in time:
am giving a supper to few Of my select
friends. There will be plenty to drink.
w Ill you JOlU US dJ tIlc IStUlc!
Certainly; I am not non compos
mentis. When was ever known to de-
cline such an Offer?"
Thus answered the pretended lawyer,
and his host conducted him and hts
other guests into a spacious dining
room at the other end of the hall upon
which the street door opened.
The table was respondent with silver
and cut-glass.
At each plate several bottles of wins
had been placed, and upon an elabo5-
ately carved sideboard there was col
lection of stronger liquors Of all kinds.
AS the company was becoming seated
at the table, a colored woman entered
and whispered to Malvin.
What the woman said the detective
did not hear, although he was on the
alert and tried to catch her words.
But he heard Malvin's answer:
Let her make all the noise she
chooses, she cannot be heard beyond
the walls Of the house.
Paxton smiled.
L was right in thinking should find
Marion Oakburn here. She Is the
female captive who must be imprisoned
here" he thought.
He knew, however, that there was q
possibility that he was mistaken in the
identity Of the female captive.
IN find out the truth before the
night is over. Everything is working
to suit me, and this supper invitation
has given me an idea. I'll personate
the character Of Ajax Crawley to the
letter, and get stupidity intoxicated, in
appearance. They will be obliged to
stow me away somewhere to sleep of
my drunk, and thus 1 may gain an OPP
portunity to search the house."
Thus Paxton reflected.
He acted his part perfectly.
AS Ajax Crawley naturally would
have done, under similar circumstances,
Paxton drank, or, what amounted to
the same thing, seemed to drink very
freely.
Finally, after passing through the
various stages of intOxication with all
the skill of q veteran impersOnatOr Of
such characters, he fell across the
table in a well-feigned drunken stupor.
Here, Dan and William, put this sot
to bed" ordered Malvin.
A couple of burly cOlOred men re-
sponded to Malvin's call, and, lifting
the detective between them, in by NO
means gentle manner, they carried him
up stairs and deposited him on bed L,
q little hall sleeping-room. and left
him.
The detective had heard Malvin and
his companions express their determine
ton to make q night Of IL, and ht
knew, therefore, that 1t was useless t.
| wait for them to retire before com
mencing his search for the girl captive
whom he believed to be beneath tha
roof
Perhaps half an hour elapsed, ant
! then Paxton arose and crept forth from
the room where the negroes had de
posted him, and gained the hall.
A gas Jet In the rear end Of the hal
burned dimly, but it's light enabled tn
detective to see his way.
He listened for moment, and n
heard the sounds Of revelry from tn
dining hall below.
His acute ear also presently caugh
another sound, which seemed to ema
u ate from above his head.
The building was an ordinary three
story structure.
J T. ,,orouf or an Paxton WAS con