The Globe-republican., 1892-05-16

take back my threat, Paxton:
mean you no harm, and there's my hand
on it-H you'll take it.
Paxton knew that there were reasons
why the ex-convict should feel grateful
to him, but he had not supposed the des-
perado capable Of entertaining any Of
the finer feelings Of humanity.
The detective gave Saul Hedden q
searching look.
The other met his gaze squarely, and
Paxton shook hands with him.
Il swore to kill you, Paxton, and
meant it 1T the time. But my wife has
told me since came out Of prison, how
she and the little one, the baby that was
born while was in the jug, were starv-
ing, dying Of misery and want, when you
found them in the attic where they lay
deserted by all mankind; you saved my
wife and the baby, Paxton, and. Grim
inal though have been, I've got human
feelings in my heart. I'll never forget
what you did for these helpless ones, and
If you can put me in the way Of doing
you q good turn, I'm your man. And
mark you. I'm on the square now, and I
mean to be honest. I did a heap Of
thinking in the prison, and don't want
my little boy to grow up and find out
that his father is a criminal"
Thus spoke Saul Hedden.
There was q sort of rude eloquence in
his words and manner that carried con-
viction with them.
Paxton was sure that the man was
perfectly sincere in all he said.
He knew that previously to the time Of
his imprisonment Hedden had been IA
miliar with all the resorts Of the metro
politan bandits, and an idea suddenly en-
tered his mind, that If this man would
consent to serve him, he might succeed
where his most skillful auxiliaries had
met only with failure.
1T is possible you can do me great
favor, and at the same time profit your
self. Come with me to my Office, and I
will explain my meaning.
Hedden hesitated.
If it Is in the way of betraying old
friends, old pals of other days, It's no
use for me to go with you. can't sell
out them as you know used to be hand
and glove with me. I've shook them,
one and all, but l can't turn Judas" he
said, resolutely.
1T is not that. You misapprehend me.
Come with me, and permit me to ex-
plain" answered Paxton.
Hedden followed the detective as he
moved forward thus speaking.
AL right. II it's anything can do
without betraying old friends, he said.
Paxton did not reply until his Office
was reached, and he knew there was no
possibility Of being overheard by any
one who might make adverse use Of his
confidence.
Then he said:
you have heard Of John Oakburn's
murder. Very good. want to find the
assassin, whom I suspect is hiding in
the city. He is a novice in crime, I'M
known to the police, and therefore a
stranger to you. Will you help me?
You can go unquestioned into secret
haunts Of the dangerous classes where
my men or myself could never pene-
trate. Through you the cowardly slay-
er Of poor old man may be brought to
Justice"
Il don't like the work, but I want to
prove my gratitude to you and I'll un-
dertake it, answered Saul Hedden after
moment of reflection.
Its bargain!" cried Paxton, and he
pressed that of the ex-convict.
description of the man whom he believed
to be John Oakburn's murderer.
That same day the ex-cOnvict began
his task of exploring the slums of the
great city in quest of the assassin.
Fortune seemed to have favored him
in the undertaking beyond anything
Paxton had hoped, and the light Of
new day had not dawned before he re-
10 Io%D hot h< hn1
he had stumbled upon the supposed
assassin's hiding place at the very out
set.
fences receiver of stolen property
and at this hour we shall find no one in
the place but the bag who is the keeper
of the place, and our man, said Hedden,
in conclusion.
Paxton was elated.
He hurriedly provided himself with
disguise, and when all his preparations
were completed he said to his new as
sistant:
Lead the way. I am determined to
arrest the assassin without delay. We
will go alone, as I do not wish to awaken
the suspicion of our game. which there
would be great risk of doing were we
accompanied by force"
Right. The people in the locality
into which I am about to lead you are
suspicious, and most of them are in
league with the old fence, whose custom
ers they sometimes are. A force would
surely arouse suspicion. Word Of our
approach would surely be passed to the
old woman before we arrived, and we
would have our trouble for our pains"
said Hedden.
Then Paxton and the latter fastened
from the Office.
From the description which Hedden
had given him Of the female fences Sc
cret guest, Paxton did not doubt that he
was really the man he had SO long una
vailingly undertaken to capture.
The detective believed that success
was now almost within his grasp.
He would hesitate at no danger now.
The house Of the female fence was
soon reached.
Saul Hedden raped on the door in
peculiar way, and after sliding a panel,
-hioh oho cou tho ov.r0Dv-fof