The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-07-19
CHAPTER XIV.
UNMASKEDl


CHAPTER XIV.
UNAAsKRDl
Something's upl
Ralph Prescott described the situa-
ion in that terse expression. There was
something up, to certainty. Some
thing dark, mystical, suspicious.
But what2 He had made a new dis.
eovery-that even the handwriting OF
Paul Dalton had changed; but what Of
that? A man acting. g part for two
years might, upon resuming his original
identity, have changed his appearance,
manner and handwriting back to the
real from the false. and emerge as diff
ferent into his new existence as q but
terAy from chrysalis.
He was always discovering" some-
thing, and every additional discovery
generally resulted in disaster for hiLn.
self.
He had set out to sweep his enemy
from the field by simple plot, and had
only succeeded in precipitating a climax
that had richly benefited that foe and
impoverished himself.
Still, plotting was like drinking-fas-
cinating, cumulative. Once In the swim,
to put it tritely, the victim plunged
deeper and deeper into the labyrinths OF
crime.
Besides all this, things looked queer.
He could not imagine Paul Dalton 50
eminently heartless and insensible to
the rare beauty of Ruth Elliott as to
utterly ignore her and prefer wealth to
>.her1ove, when he might have both.
"I'n keep him in view bit, If only
for curiosity" soliloquized Prescott.
He said he was going to meet friend
at the hotel. I may learn something by
! watching them"
To the hotel, therefore, Prescott took
hls way.
He PASSED by the open doors and
glanced in, but caught no sight OF the
man he sought.
Through the window Of the smoking
room, however, opened to admit the
fresh air upon the tobacco smoke tainted
atmosphere OF the apartment, he made
out Paul Dalton and stranger.
They occupied the room alone, and,
tilted back in chairs, sat conversing
animatedly. .
Prescott had become quite an expert
shadower Of late, and he was soon lurk-
ing near the window.
Distinctly on his hearing sound ed the
conversation Of Paul Dalton and the
black bearded man who was his COM
panion.
so you could not make 1t, Paul2" the
the latter was asking, in disappointed
tone Of voice.
Not all of it; but what's the odds2"
ho nSloIb h.
other; "and week sometimes changes
the destinies Of nations"
1T won't change mine," asserted Dal-
ton, confidently.
you don't know that?"
oh, yes, do Here's the plain facts
OF the case: Paul Dalton falls heir to
fortune. Paul Dalton appears and
claims it."
Proceed
He is accepted as heir, rightfully and
undisputed. Very good"
But the side entanglements3'
'The girl?"
Yes"
She's sick. May die. Sick enough
week."
That's good"
BY that time fortune and Paul Dali
ton will have disappeared"
But her father"
Wont even look at me il he saw me.
and this simpleton Of Prescott I can
wind about my finger"
Can you?" ground out the enraged
listener.
We'll, everything looks all right, re-
| no rked the haarded man
OF course it's oil right" spoke Dsl-
ton with oonvt nins e.-phas:s. We
get the fortune, -e-.;l enjoy it.
| AND after WEI. .--.
Let these people figure out the cost
Of being too sure of man at their own
leisure"
1t will be a surprising awakening to
reality" smiled the other grimly. Paul,
about him"
-S-st. No names. Him. What Of
him2"
Hes safe and sound, isn't hof"
For the present.
For a week, surely?"
Yes; but afterwards"
Unlock the door, say GO! Well be
safe and far away by the time he comes
here"
All right. All! thank you. A hun
dred. need it No instruction."
Yes, get back to Black Rock, and
stay there. Watch him close. If he
escaped"
Don't fear. he won't"
-. would mean ruin to our plans
Il realize that as we'll as you. guess
I'll Co."
Very good. I'll take look at the
rich girl, just for policys sake. Then
I'll try and devise way to kill time
until the lawyers ready to pay me my
fortune"
What does it mean?"
Over and over again the marvelling
Ralph Prescott asked himself the ques-
tion.
Here was a plot, beyond the perad
venture of a doubt-here was mystery.
Who was the bearded man2 a fellow
conspirator? In what? plot. A p!o
for what? The fortune. But why?
The acknowledged, proven and &C
cepted heir to the legacy, why shoul'
Paul Dalton pot to secure that whicl
was already his:
Above all, who was the man SO mys
teriously and covertly alluded tor -
Il can't make it out" muttered IT,
dazed Prescott.
I'll find q way" he asserted stul
bornly, few minutes later. "Blaci
Rock At that place this accomplice 0
Paul Dalton makes his headquarters
and a gruesome, desolate place it is
There be ha3 ssii::a. I'll drive there TO-