The Madisonian. (Virginia City, Mont.) 1873-1915, 1896-11-07

room looking into the street was his
work shop.
That Thursday afternoon he walked
slowly along Chetwynd street. nodding
pleasantly to those he knew slightly. and
exchanging cheerful greetings with those
he knew better. When he came TO the
public house he entered.
Goo afternoon. Mr.. Williams" said
the newcomer. wriggling up on a high.
cane-seated stool.
Coco afternoon. Mr.. Leigh" said the
landlord in a gracious and pleasant voice.
Very hot walking out of doors"
Very. Will you have a brandy:
Its almost too hot. But l VIII. as
YOU are kind enough to ask me"
The landlord busted himself getting the
drinks. and then set them on the counter.
The hunchback drained his glass At one
draught. the landlord slipped him.
Il wanted that badly" said Leigh.
"What's the matter, Mr.. Leigh: Any
thing wrong down in the couutry:'
NO. no. l feel better already. Give
me another. I'm tired. I've had such
a morning.
Up to this point Of the conversation it
had been obvious the two men were not
speaking freely. Now suddenly. Leigh
leaned over the counter and spoke in a
whisper:
Did you watch:' he asked, keenly
and ~anxiously,
Il did"
AT between twelve and one:"
Yes"
And did you see anything:" tremn-
lously.
Il did" stolidly.
"What?"
You told me- a mar was to come and
wind up your clock. as near to twelve as
could be. and you asked me 10 watch him
and see that he was sharp to his hour and
that he wound up the machinery by the
left-hand lever close to the window"
quite right. / wanted to find out il
the fellow would be punctual and DO my
work for me while l was away in the
country"
Il saw a man sitting in your place. and
in a few seconds he began to wind UP
the machinery
Il am most DESTROYS to know all facts.
all You saw. You know how vel! | have
guarded the secrets Of my great clock.
| am most anxious that no one but this
man who wound the clock for me last
night should learn anything about it,"
And can't he tell everybody ii he cares
to betray you"'
Not very we'll. He cannot. He is deaf
and dumb, and cant Write,' with Il tri-
umphant smile.
W We're shut a minute before half
past twelve by my own watch. | kept
my eyes On him until half-paSt twelve.
He must have turned ont the light before
he got up, for the gas went out at half
past twelve, just as he stopped working
the lever
We'll, you have lone me Il good turn
in keeping your eye on thar fellow for
me, and you're going to do ME another
good turn by saying nothing about it.
Have you ever heard anything Of AL
bertus Magnus:'
mo"
"AibertuS MagnuS was a man who
studied magic. one of the greatest of the
magicians Of Id. He attributed wonder
full powers to the powdered asphaltum Of
mummies, the old pitch which the ancient
Egyptians poured hot over the dead. 1t
was used by the Egyptians to prevent
the ravages of time Upon the faces Of the
dead. Now, | am going to paint the
dials Of my clock with mummy pitch to
prevent tim ravaging the faces Of my
clock
4 always said, Mr.. Leigh. that you
We're Il wonderful, a most wonderful
man"
And to-day l bought a mummy, the
mummy OF a great Egyptian prince, for
l must have good mummy asphaltum TO
preserve the faces Of my clock from the
influence of time"