The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1892-01-16
CHAPTER TX.
TIE MAN WITH A THUMB.


uitl the LiHHlh enter ire lnnr
Lost in gloomy thought he wandered
on, caring little whittier he went. Re
reached Third avenue without knowing,
why lie had walked in that direction.
Near the corner an elderly man. with
long hair and beard, had erected Il trail,
low platform which he had lit up with oil
lamps. He was an itincrant phrenolo-
gist. and was holding forth in long words
and execrable grammar upon the mar
Vicious head of ~ street galnin he had per
suaded to submit to examination. Over
his head was Il placard, "A man is
what he makes himself"
Dorison die not ask what pertinency
the aphoris,n might have to the old mans
occupation, but applying it to himself
laughed bitterly, and asked aloud: lis
that SO? What am but the football of
chance-a chip on the rushing waters OF
life | can neither resist nor control"
He stopped idly to listen to the street
falSir as he Suled his auditors. standing
on the outer edge Of the circle in a
shadow. firing of listening, he turned
to go, when his attention was attracted
by figure which seemed familiar. A
glance suificed to show that it was the
young man he had encountered at the
time of the accident to Miss Eustace,
who was so insolent. Perceiving that
he was not observed by the young man.
he determined to remain where he was
rather than encounter for second time
the one who had filled him with such
repugnance.
Tho young man. dressed as he was in
the afternoon. lCuEged under the shadow
OF covered entrance to the rear of the
corner saloon AS Dorison watched him
man, sharp eyed and alert in his bear
Ing. taking note Of everything about
him, passed by. Dorison heard a low,
shrill whistle, and thought he discovered
an exchange Of signals between the new
conner and the lounger. but so rapid and
insignificant were they that, perceiving
no change in the attitude of the young
man, and seeing the other one pass on,
he concluded he Was mistaken
"A moment later the sharp eyed man
returned passing close to the lounger in
the shadow, and this time Dorison saw
plainly that II folded paper was trans
terred from the lounger to the passer by,
who Went on a little distance and then
sauntered back. AS he passed the
lounger he said. without turning his
head:
"When?9
Tonight" replied the lounger.
The sharp eyed man joined the circle
OF those listening to the phrenologist,
listened a moment, and then stepping
back said:
"What hour?"
Between twelve and one," came the
answer from the loynger.
The alert man again joined the circle.
and again listening Il moment stepped
back and Dorisou heard the further ex-
change:
''How many?"
"Three."
With this the alert young man walked
off rapidly toward the corner and disap-
peared. The lounger emerged from his
shadow and went off in the direction of
Broadway.
mysterious" muttered Dorison.
Nov, what can that mean? If We're
Cathcart presume would construct
the theory OF great crime or a huge
He came out of the dark corner. A
young woman was coming down the
street intent upon her own thoughts,
humming tune. AS she came opposite |
he entrance to the saloon referred to as
the one under the shadow of the cover
If which the autipathy Of Dorison was
ounging, the door was flung open and a .
oudly dressed man. partially intoxi.
,ated, came out.
Seeing the young woman he cried out: