Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1893-02-17


that's my talk, but if they did-ther
amt a practicing magician anywhere t.
help him out Of it. That's your opinion
amt it, sir?''
AS the danger of such contingenc,
Is not immediate" was the reply, .th.
want Of a remedy need not, in my hum
bic opinion, cause you any grave uIl
easiness."
, No, agreed Leander, dejectedly:
don't care, of course. | was only think
ing that, in case-but there, it's no odds
Well, Mr.. FreemouIt, you have told ne
what | was curious to know, and here
Is your little honnyrariuln, sir-two shill
ings and two sixpcnces, making three
sfillinGs III all. precisely"
/ Keep your money, sir" said the old
man, with contcmptuous good humor
my working hours are done for the
day, and you're welcome enough to any
instruction you're capable of receiving
from my remarks. 1t is not saying very
much, / dare say"
oh, You tod it very clear, consider
ing sir, I'm sure! | don't grudge it,
Keep it | tell you and say 10 more
about it."
50, expressing his thanks, Leander
left the place and when he was outside
felt more kcenly than ever the blow his
hopes had sustained.
he knew the whole story Of his pre-
decessor in misfortune now, and rs a
precedent it was worse than useless.
True, for an instant wild idea
crossed his mind Of seeking some lonely
suburban crossroad at dead Of night,
just to see if anything came of it. THE
last time was several hundred wears
ago, 1t SEEMS he told himself, but
there's no saying that Satan mightn't
come by for all that. Here's Venus per
scouting as lively as ever, and | never
heard the devil was dead I've good
mind to take the tram to the ArchWay
and walk out till | find likely looking
place"
But on reflection he gave this up. IF
he did come by l couldn't bring him
line-not even from the cOniuror in
High 'ObOrn-and Satan might make me
put my hand to something binding and
l shouldn't be no better off. No | don't
see no way of getting back my ring and
poor Titles cloak nor yet getting rid
of that goddess any more than before.
There's one comfort, / can't be any
worse off than l am"
Oppressed by these gloomy reflections
he returned to his home, expecting a
Of his nightly persecution from
the goddess, but from some cause, into
which he was too grateful to care to in
quire, the statue that evening showed
waiting with the cupboard open for some
time in suspense he yentured to make
himself some coffee.
He had scarcely tasted it, however
before he heard from the passage below
I low whistle, followed by the peculiar
Staye by which a modern low-life Blon-
lei endeavOrs to attract notice. The
hairdresSer paid no attention, being
used. rs a Londoner, to hearing such
signals and not imagining they could
be intended for his ear.
But presently a handful Of gravel rat
tied against his window. and the whis-
tie was repeated. He went to the Win
dow and cautiously looked out. Below
were two individuals. rather carefully
their faces, which We're only
seen, We're uptulncd to him.
He retreated trembling. He had so
much To think of lately that the legal
hanger he was running by harborfng
The detcsted statue was almost forgot
ten. but now he remembered the in
specor's words and his legs bent be
Meath him. Could these people be de-
ectiveS?
is that Mr.. Tweddle up there" said
l voice below. because if it is he'd bet
ter come down, double quick. and let
is in, that's air.
ERE. don't you skulk up there" add
III 4 coarser voice; I'VE know yer there;
md if yer don't come down to us, why,
wen come up to you"
This brought Leander forward again.
he said, leaning out and
speaking In an agitated whisper, for
goodness sake, what do you want with
me-"
"oYu let us in, and Wen tell you
"Will it do if / come down and speak
to you outsider said Leander.
There was a consultation between the
two at this, and at the end Of it the
first man said: It's all the same to
us where we have our little confabula
ton. Come down, and look sharp about
it,"
Leander came down, taking care to
shut the street door behind him. You
amt the police?" he said, apprehensive-
ly.
They each took an arm and walked
him roughly off between them towards
Queen Square. We'll show you who
we are" they said.
IL demand your authority for this"
gaspel Leander What am l charged
WITH
They had brought him into the gloom
lest part Of the square, where the houS-
es, used as offices in the daytime, We're
now dark and deserted. Here they
jammed him up against the ratings and
stood guard over him, while he was
alarmed to perceive suppressed feroci-
ty in the faces Of both.
What are you charged with? Grr!-
For art pint I'd knock your bloomin'
ed in.'' said the coarser gentleman of
the two-an evasiye form of answer
which did not seem to promise a pleas
ant interview.
Leander was not naturally courage
Gus, and what he had gone through late