The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-07-17
CHAPTER VIII.

THE TWO CLEWS,
1t was the hun ~hback's innings now.
"Good-daY, Mr. Ferret. Delighted to
have met you" he said, with drOlI imita-
tion OF tine old gentleman's manner. Aud
next time you set yourself to catch a thief
take care you don't mistake him for a gen.
tlemanm
The detective made no reply.
$50 that was the famous Rat, was it7n
the dwarf went on. II didn't expect to
make the rascars acquaintance so soon
after my arrival"
Look out, then, how you meet him a
second time. with such bait as your pocket
book was Mr.. Ferret's reply.
The hunchback Rugged the book closer to
his coarse. ragged shirt.
You never heard Of mel" he said in his
gasping whisper, with quick, questioning
glance.
~ never SOW YOU" was the detectives re-
ply, "but heard your name in connection
with the case Of a cousin Of yours, who
stole money from your father and tried to
put the crime on 60 you at the trial"
The hunchback WINGED ever so slightly. a
fact which did not escape the detectives
sharp eyes; but he understood by IL that
this scion Of a good'old family, indeed, the
next heir after a child ess brother, could
show some family pride In spite of his rough
exterior.
who is this fellow the Rat" asked the
hunchback.
"Old Nick himself, belleve," was Mr..
Ferret's reply.
"Old NicSm laughed Lawrence Hunting
ford, because he plays Old Harry with
youl Bah! Mr.. Ferret | can't compliment
you on your shrewduess Why, | have
learned more Of him iu those few moments
thanks to some words of your own, than you
have In all these months that you have
been playing hide and seek with him. |
know him. in fact, unless am very much
mistaken"
know him2 Your repeated Mr. Ferret.
but you are jesting. The thing is impos-
sible. Disguised as he was. his own flesh
and blood wouldn't know him."
Don't be too sure of that" was the re-
ply.
At another time the significance of this
answer must have struck Mr. Ferret, but as
it was he felt utterly nonplussed, SO much so
that he actually proceeded to ask help from
this unprepossessing stranger.
MIR. Huntingford" he said in concilia-
tory tone, ~ will not deny that any infor-
nation you may possess will be of some
service to me-"
And to me-" broke in Lawrence Hunt
ingford, "Gl 900 in Scotland Yard money,
o, don't 60 about with my eyes shut!
saw one Of your bills outside Dover police
station, but" chuckling, 81 didn't expect
W pTVllJ ny IL SO 5OOH.
you mean to lodge your information
With whoml' asked Mr. Ferret.
That have not yet decided" was the
reply. Pm not su that / shall do it at
all" There folio wed a silence between the
two meI, each conscious that he had mas
ter spirit to deal with.
The hunchbacS was the first to speak
IF do sell what know" be snid, sit
will be to whoever likes to pay most for an
advance tip"
Mr. Ferret had done some queer bar
gaining in his life but even he
shrank from the cynical way in which this
object, whom no one would have bought
even for old bones, negotiated the betrayal
of his superior creature
But the interests Of justice are para
mount.
CHANGING round to be sure that there were
no esvesiroppers, he said with his usual
businesS-like manner, II will give you any
sum in reason"
well, expect pretty high figure" re-
piled the huncbback, 'for l shall want
something to put it square with my con-
sceneem
Then" said Mr.. Ferret, calmy, cit is a
family affair"
The hunchback was too sstonished at his
secret having been snatched from him TO
guard 1t any longer.
What do you knowl How did you
gues'f
"W hom else should you fear, as you
plainly do but your oousinf was the dry
reply. Decides, there was the family like
ness to your uncle, the baronet, whom l
know, and TO you"
The hunchback saw that be had lost all
hope Of reward for his advance tip.
More than that, he knew himself convict
ed By his very anxiety TO put his cousin
out Of the way, of the very crime which
that cousin had unjustly suffered. The face
beneath the falling hair paled, and the
breath between the parted lips came quickly.
But with ready skill he played his family
pride card once more.
II didn't mean 70 let 1t out like that. for.
after all, the fellow 10 my cousin. and it's
not pleasant to sell ones own desh and