Daily camera., 1897-08-31

usually speak as earnestly on unimpor
tant topics as you evidently did to him.
| The lawyer regarded me moment
He seemd to be debating some question
in his mind.
"Was l earnest?' he finally inquired
Everything about me seems to be
mysterious" | exclaimed, piqued tt
impatience at his wholly lodging my
question. There's one mystery that
added, decidedly.
"Yes? And that is"
"The cellar mystery
F! Sonntag again cautioned me agains1
| being too precipitate.
"Then give me some good reason fol
your caution!" exclaimed. Its get
ting monotonous following peoples ad
vice without having reason for sc
doing. I'll do so no more. | have hall
notion to get out of the place. Ever
since my arrival, petty trivial circum,
stances have harassed me and KEEP
me in an irritable mood
well, maybe it would be best for
you to visit some of your friends in
town." Sonntag said, refectively, "ii
only for few days"
"No, sir. l have no friends, and your
seeming desire to have me away makes
me the more determined to stay. But
course of supineness is done with
Now I'll take the reins, and see what's
to be made out of the driving"
Just as you please about that, of
course, Mr.. Conway. But l do beg of
you, and it is for your own interests
speak, delay the attempt to enter the
cellar until tomorrow"
"Why?" 1 curtly asked.
You'll know in the morning." my
lawyer replied, with smile.
II may be dead by that time l re-
piled. Certainly if I must be the tar
get for every assassin's bullet, my
coffin might as well be ordered now"
Saying which, | took my own pistol
from my pocket. 'You see that? Well,
it means that after this I'll be as handy
with pistol as others are
Mr.. Sonntag eyed me rather sus-
piciously, as though not at all certain
but that I would level the weapon at
him.
''Those things are dangerous, Mr..
Conway, and are liable to go off without
warming" he remarked, dryly. after |
had returned the pistol to my pocket.
Yes, I know that. And if there
should be occasion for it to go off in my
hand, you may be sure it will be for
the purpose of hitting something. ]
believe my peace is threatened, if not
my life. How do know but what that
cellar under my room has been used.
maybe is being used, for some criminal
purpose? If that is true, my arrival
in Nelsonville and taking up my abode
right in the midst of hidden crime
would naturally prevent any contin'
uance of operations, and endanger the
secret. I believe that attempts are
being made to cause me to leave: if
mysterious demonstrations cannot ac-
complish it by frightening me, then
the purpose is to remove me by death.
There may be something in what
you say" Sonntag remarked. after a
moments thought. But promise me
you win not attempt to shoot the sta
ton agent" he added, with deep ear
nestness.
What? Make no defense against
his cowardly attacks?" l exclaimed, in
amazement at my lawyers request.
He will not repeat it, you may be
sure. At least promise to defer re-
taliation until tomorrow"
'And get shot in the meantime!"
"No. L said it would not happen
again"
Just let me get my hands on him,
I'll choke the life out of him." was the
only reply l made.
"Oh, yes; that's all right. Choke him
all you want to, but please, Mr.. Con-
way, no shooting. I don't mind tall
ing you that any headstrong course on
your part may upset few well-iai''
plans for your own good, which give
promise now of fruitful results. Wal,
until tomorrow. You shall know all
then, | promise YOU"
1t is impossible to convey by words
the seriousness of my lawyers manner
in making these remarks.
When | was conversing with Mr..
Sonntag there was something about
him which compalled me to feel trust
and confidence, Notwithstanding his
many sayings bearing on some secret
purpose which he was so careful not
to reveal.
well, 1 1--WE up trying to make you
out" I said. after considering his
words and being impressed by them
"You certainly are the most inexplica-
bic specimen of a country lawyer
Who are you, anyhow"
Your lawyer and agent, and, Mr.
Conway, let me add, in sincerity, your
friend"
Somehow could not but believe him
at the thine. His words carried convic-
ton.
Pardon me for seeming imperti-
nent," Sonntag said, as he accompanied
n, o IN tho 6oor sb,,t hova yor caop Mics