The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-06-22
CHAPTER I1I.-THE MAN WHO
SOLD HIMSELF II

sion of pursuit. He had begun the
chase perhaps with the cold sense Oh
duty, or under the spur of the large re-
ward upon the heel of his necessity
But once upon the scent a new ardof
possessed him. He had pressed on
without rest; so much l could read II,
his lean face. And at that moHeh'
when the first flush of triumph was on
him, I must win him to dishonor. for
I had resolved to bribe him II II were
possible: If not, l might do worse
Physically he was not my equai'
though large of frame and tall. sup
posing that l wrested his spoils from
him in that room. and bound ana
gagged him, Dane might still so free.
"How much money" said l. speak
ing very slowly, will You sell those
things for?'
He was hastily wrapping them in
great piece of paper. :.
"You want to bribe me, ne reJoilieu'
'sNo: 1T won't do"
THE reward" I said. 'is less than
$4,000. will give you $4,000, cash IN
hand. this might"
He passed his hand over his fore
head as II dazed. l saw that was APP
pealing to one who loved money, ana
I took courage.
"Quickv' / cried. "decide. Here Is
the cash. 1t will make you comforta-
BILE for many day and no one need
know. Tell your superior that these
evidences were not here. Who knows
it but you? Who can swear to it,
mo one. What will you do with
them"
"Burn them in that stove Is there
any metal?'
''The knife"
"Iu take it. No one will suspect me-"
mo: I'm safer still. You tempt me.
I am pressed for money. Who knows
whether the reward will ever be paid
Give me thirty thousand"
"Twenty-fve.'
mo. thirty. I'll take no less. You
have as much there. Speak quick before
I am an honest man again
"Done! Here is the money"
I counted it out to him with trembling
hands. He put it into his pocket. His
face became CHASTITY pale and his lips
quivered.
I had never seen a man sell himself
before. The bargaining had been diff
ferent from what 1 would have ex-
pected: but then the man was clearly
exceptional. The quick change in his
mental attitude and the readiness of
decision on so grave a topic were doubt
less part of his nature, and suited to
his profession. Yet I would have ex-
peoted man with so resolute face to
make a longer fight against corruption.
Now to destroy themr' I replied.
I'VE must have the hottest fire that the
stove can stand"
But we can wait?'
His voice trembled. The courage had
gone out of him; it had fled with his
honor as I marked even in that mo-
mant of excitement.
Some one might come" he went on
huskiy. Remember 1 am deeper in it
now than you are. Neither Of us must
be found here with this stuff in sight.
Certainly not I. If Dane should
come
''Of course # only Dans comes we
are safe We must risk the others.
It's better than carrying the bundle
the Streets"
While speaking was piling the fuel
of which, fortunately, there was good
the stove. A moment and
the fame feaped up. The draught was
In ten minutes the stove
was ready for Kohnfeld's coat. The
garment, torn into shreds
and fought the fame, but
vainly. The buttons were of wood,
covered with cloth. There was moth
ing that could not be reduced to ashes.
Indeed. / narveied that it had not
been destroyed long before. But blood
guiltiness muddles the wits.
The shoe with its blood stain was
worse fuel than the coat, but by the
a heat as no leather could resist. That
witness OF the crime passed into ashes.
There was little else but the bonds. I
was about to put them into the fire,
but first I noticed the edges which had
been deftly cleansed of blood, though
not without leaving trace Of the mur-
derers work.
''Stopv' cried the detective. I'VE
must not burn those. They should be
to Miss Kohnfeld. They are
hers
True; will attend to that. Or, on
second thought, 1t Is better you should
DO 1t. That will seem natural; and If
you are true to your bargain to me, you
will invent a story which will help
clear Dane"
He will not be convicted" was the
reply. II know the evidence. With
out my testimony regarding the find
ng Of these things here, he will es-
cape"
And that testimony you have sold
to me?"
He bowed.
Now for the knife" said I. 'Would
It not be well to wrench off the handle,
which is OF wood, and burn itY''
"A good idea"
He drew the knife from under his
coat I split the handle with blow,
and it fell from the blade.
At that moment we heard a sound at
the door. The handle was softly turned.
Then came the shock of strong shoul-
Ter against the wood, and heard a
low voice.
"The. police are upon usv, I whis-
pered.
gathered up the pieces of the broken
1aft with a sweep of my hand, and in
l flash had fitted them together. to see
{ I had all. A pieces was missing It
would be equal to all the other evil
lence!
I groped upon the floor. The perspira-
ion fell from my forehead like rain.
The room, under the influence Of that |
'oaring fire. was like an oven ;Aand ex-
element blazed In me as hotly.
I heard the door strain, under steady |
Ind strong pressure. I turned to my
Despite the heat his face
vas like white paper.
us there any way out of here?" I |
yhispered