The National tribune., 1897-06-17
/ Y

To Kent Halliday's quick intuition the
mortal intensity of the situation was re-
vealed with the vividness Of flash of light
ming in the darkness
The first swift glance told him that Raga.
bert recognized him as one Of tie Jurors at
the inquest, connected with that his visit to
the Office, and knew that he had already Sc
cured evidence of the most serious nature.
Misgivings as 10 his carelessness with re-
spect TO these dangerous relics had SO grawed
at Ragabert's mind as TO bring him back
from the cool lakeside that hot afternoon,
resolved 10 effeciualy destroy them. Like
most modern Offices there was no fireplace
in his, or he would have burned them up
before leaving. Three ways OF getting rid
OF them suggested themselves to him, all in
volving peculiar trouble and risk: He could
put them all in little hand. bag, with a
heavy weight, and drop il off one OF the
bridges into the river at night; he could
carry them out in his pockets and casually
scatter them along the street or he might
start a fire in his Office and burn them up,
with part or the whole of the building. The
last was most TO bis iasie, for it ministered
to his abiding hate Of ali who had money or
property. But prudence commended the
FIRST plan, and he had nearly resolved upon
Halliday calmly fishing out the evidences Of
his guilt frsm the as:e-basaet.
For few terrible seconds the two men
stood aad looked at one another with fierce,
ubquailing eyes, while thoughts OF deadly
determination flashed through their brains.
Ragabert's first impulse 20 dispose of the
boy by intimidation, and at least gain time
enough 10 make good his escape from the
city, with his gains, sank and died under he
hot, strong light IN Kent HaIiiday's black
eyes. The scoundrel was keen Judge of
human nature. He knew at once that, boy
though this was, brow beating ard cajolery
would be alike useless. He must be utterly
crushed, and ~ once. To kill him immedi-
ately was the only sure way to get rid Of
! him. But this involved whole category OF
disturbing and dangerous consequences
| which the villain was anxious TO avoid. He
| had just sOwed the seed for what promised
| to be an abundant harvest of swindles,
which he must abandon if this second mur-
der shoald force him 10 fly the city. He
would make desperate attempt to tempo
rize. He dropped his left hand TO the knob
Of the open door, took the key from the out
side, put il inside the lock and started to
| close the door.
Kent was without weapon of any kind.
| He had not contemplated any such thing as
personal encounter for days at least with
I the object OF bis pursuit, and had not armed
| himself He had no desire for collision
then, bitterly as he felt toward the criminal
before him. His sole idea was to deliver
him into the hands of justice, with sufficient
proof TO secure his punishment. He had
not even wanted to let the murderer know
that be was Oh his trail until the time was
| La H. q, II
spraBg across tie room to get outside, but
Ragabert's strong arm caught him before he
reached the door, and thew him back, almost
down.
"You can't get away, you young sneak
thief" hissed Ragabeft. You needn't try.
You've got 10 stay here and settle with NE.
/ thought at first of handing you over to
the police, bat decided that I'd attend TO
you myself"
Turn me over 10 the police, you villain -
exclaimed Kent You know you dare not
. Stop lying, now. There's nothing you dread
. so much as 10 have the polce's attention
directed toward you. But you'll lie ia their
hands very sooD, with enough evidence to
hang you-Mr. Walter X. Ragabeftn
Kent was so excited that he forgot him
SELF and said more than he intended The
man started so paIpably at the mention Of
r the name that Kent was convinced that il
, was his true name. Rsgabert stood silent
for a moment, with his eyes fixed on Kent
and then SAID slowly:
You seem to be a youngster of a grea
deal of sense and grit. You ought to max,
3 a great deal OF yourself I'd like TO hay,
you with me. / wonder if you'd hs.eu t,
some sense2"
; What is it?" said Kent. quite willing t,
temporize for the moment. "I'll listen t,
q anything"
. "If you'll drop all this stuf-whateve
il may be that you're at-and join in will
4 me I'll make your fortune in n little while
: Pge been on the lookout fer a long time fo
G bright, sandy youngster to help me, an,
G you seem to have the stuff. I've lot @
Q schemes that are dead sure, and I'll let yor
into all OF them, if you'll do the sgGar
'' thing"
!, nd if don't ~ said Kent
G IN stop you right where you are, re
: piled Ragabert, and as he spoke his han
:. closed upon the large bamboo cane he Cal
:. rieG, aud he drew from it long, broa
~ Is on every wrapper