The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1895-08-07
q attempt was useless.
CHAPTER XVIII.

grasp.
The attempt was useless.
CHAPTER XVIII.
Judith Kredge ceased to struggle al
most instantly, for she comprehended
that she was powerless to contend with
the detective.
Il don't know what you mean.
don't understand. Release me, say!'
she cried, while her venomous eye
flashed with the light Of rage.
You know what has become OF Ma.
rion Oakburn. Tell me where to find
her, or as I have said I shall place you
under arrest, and take you to prison"
Its uel ! know nothing Of Marion
.Oakburn, retorted Judith.
She was regaining her composure, and
she had instantly decided upon the
course she would pursue in dealing with
the detective. She had resolved to be
defiant.
Paxton read in the expression Of heI
hardened, cruel face that she had de-.
termined upon silence at any cost, and
he comprehended that his ruse had
failed.
The detective had not estimated Ju.
dith Kredge's character quite correctly.
She was woman Of more force and res.
olution than he had supposed, though
be bad given her credit f9r cunning and
I1 1scSfupuiousness. -E-.-~S--@--L
The detective, Of course had no au'
thority 10 arrest Judith, and oompre'
hending that it was useless to waste
words with her, he suddenly released
her and turned to go.
He paused in the door, and said In an
intense voice;
Il give you one warning, judith
Kredge: II Marion Oakburn Is harmed
in any way, you shall suffer. Hear my
words, and 30 inform your confeder.
ates."
Judith's answer was mocktng laugh.
Paxton closed the door behind him with
spiteful bang, and ran down the steps
to the street.
He had not walked block when he
came face to face with a man, at the
sight of whom he started and involun.
tarily recoiled, while his hand dropped
upon the butt Of pistol In his hip
socket.
In ne man whom he had thus unex.
pecteuly confronted Paxton recognized
one Saul Hedden, desperate burglar
and safe blower whom he had hunted
down and sent to prison for term OF
years.
In open court, at the time Of his con-
viction and sentence to imprisonment,
Saul Hedden had vowed that if he lived
to regain his liberty, he would have his
revenge-that he would kill Paxton on
sight.
The detective remembered the des-
perado's oath, and he believed that the
wretch would not hesitate to attack him.
Paxton did not mean to be taken at
disadvantage. and he was ready to draw
his pistol at the first hostile movement
on the part Of the other.
Paxton the detective!" exclaimed
Saul Hedden.
Yes, you have recognized me; but be
warned, Saul Hedden, I am on my
guard, and 1 have not forgotten your
threat" answered the detective.
He knew Hedden's time had expired
and that he had been legally discharged
from prison; therefore, he could not at
tempt his arrest.
Paxtoa expected every moment that
the ex-convict would hurl himself upon
him.
But Sc did not do 80.
Inetead, the desperate extended bis
hand In friendly manner, and he said
L take back my threat, Paxton;
mean you no harm, and there's my hant
on it-f you'll take it.
Paxton knew that there were reason'
why the ex-convict should feel gratefu
to him, but he had not supposed the des
perado capable Of entertaining any o
the finer feelings Of humanity.
The detective gave Saul Hedden
searching look.
The other met his gaze squarely, ant
Paxton shook hands with him.
Il swore to kill you, Paxton, and
meant it at the time. But my wife ha
told me since I came out Of prison, hoV
she and the little one, the baby that wa
born while I was in the Jug, were starv
Ing, dying OF misery and want, when yo'
found them in the attic where they 10,
deserted by all mankind; you saved M
wife and the baby, Paxton, and, Grim
Inal though I have been, I've got human
feelings in my heart. I'll never forge
what you did for these helpless ones, an
If you can put me in the way Of doin
YOU a good turn, I'm your man. An
mark you, I'm on the square now, and
mean to be honest. I did a heap G
thinking in the prison, and l don't wan
nv little boy to grow up and ind nu
that his father is criminal.
Thus spoke Saul Hedden.
There was q sort Of rude eloquence 1
his words and manner that carried con
viction with them.
Paxton was sure that the man wa
| perfectly sincere in all he said.
He knew that previously to the time
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 Woul
consent to serve him, he might succee
where his most skillful auxlllarles ha
met only with failure.
1T is possible you can do me Ere'
| favor, and at the same time pront youl
self. Come with me to my othce, and
will explain my meaning.
Hedden hesitated.
If it is in the way Of betraying ol
friends, old pals OF other days, it's u
use for ME to 60 with you. l can't SO
| out them as you know used to be nan
and glove with me. I've shook then
one and all, but cant turn Judas, b
said. resolutelg