San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1897-07-18
CHAPTER l.

cover now that they are after him."
sThst's all right, EVERY, and, as
you say, guess Marvel can hide away
well enough. But what / want to know
is, what's he got to hide for? He amt
done nothing as can see 'cept to fire off
his pistol when he was mad as thunder. "
'And right he was, too, said anoth-
or lounger in the saloon where this con-
versation occurred. II say any man Of
grit would have done the same. Why,
didn't the old man try to disgrace him
right before his sweetheart and a lot OF
girls?"
"Well, anyway" said the storekeep-
er, removing his pipe to speak, smart
or fool, guess they'll get him. / hear
as how the squire is terrible cut up
about this thing, and he's sent down to
Boston for regular detective.
1.-The squire's sent to Boston for
detective?" said EVERY. II wouldn't
have believed that the squire would do
such thing. To set a spy on the track
of one of his neigbborsi Why, it's dis.
graceful.
Over in the corner, on chairs drawn
up close to the stove. So two strangers.
They had arrived in Lee that morning.
and after taking drinks at this the only
tavern in the town had apparently set
about getting warm. The elder Of the
two here yentured a remark.
Gentlemen" said he, "if you'll
pardon the curiosity of stranger, I'd
like to ask you what crime this young
man has committed"
A pause followed. while the strangers
became the object of a close scrutiny by
all present. Finally Will Everly stepped
forward, and, locking his interrogation
steadily in the face. said:
IL am Will Everly, Walter Maryel's
friend. Before | answer any of your
questions l must know who you are and
why you wish to know this story"
"YOur talk aroused my curiosity"
said the stranger.
"Will you deny that you are detect
iye?" EVERY eyed his man closely, but
not a sign indicated that the question
had caused surprise. He was disap-
pointed, for he had expected him to be
Disconnected. The reply was simple.
Il shall not deny it, for never lie. "
He handed EVERY a card upon which
was neatly engraved. John Barnes,
Detective, Boston"
After reading it, conciliatcd by the
detectives honesty, Everly said:
II thank you for your candor. sus-
pectcd you, for we seldom have strangers
in Lee. As am Marvel's friend, and as
you have come here to make trouble for
him, you will pardon me if l give you
no information which will be of use to
you. =
mo need, young man. Well get
along we'll enough without you. Ever
ly recognized the voice Of Squire Olney,
who had juet~ entered, and he turned
away. The squire shook Mr.. Barnes
cordially by the hand, saying:
"You are Mr.. Barnes, the man sent
down by the Pilkingtons, presume? 1
am glad you are so punctual. expected
TO find you here, as received a dis
patch from your chief last night As
soon us you are ready shall take you
up TO Mr.. Lewis house, for it is in con-
nection with his affair that sent for
you.
Il am ready togo with you at once"
said Mr.. Barnes in an undertone, "but
first let me introduce 70 you my friend
Mr.. Burrows. He is young man in
whom the chief is interested, and he
works with the older men that be may
acquire experience. He is beginner,
but he is shrewd and promises to be-
come first class detective
Burrows arose, and the squire shook
hands with him, whereupon the three
men exchanged few words in an un.
icrtoue. Meanwhile another stranger
upon the scene This was a
man blessed i'll the garb of sailor. He
ordered Il hot drink, for which he paid
in advance. Then lie asked one or two
questions, wbereupon the storekeepeI
called out:
Il say, squirrel Eere's a man you
may as well see.
Thus summoned, the squire left the
detectives and approached the new.
oomer
We'll, my man," he asked. what
can do for your"
My name is John Lewis, " was the
reply. II have been at sea for several
years, but have at last reached home
again, or rather / should say my fathers
home, for this is my first visit to Lee.
was asking to be directed to my ia
theirs house whop this gentleman told
me that you were about to go there and
might be willing to take me with you. +"
i shall be. delighted TO do So" said
the squire, offering his hand 10 Lewis
III cordial recognition. 81 have often
heard your father speak of you, and as
| know that he loves you and longs for
your return it Will be pleasure to me
to restore his son TO him."
You can't think how your words (
gladden. me-" said Lewis. apparently |
overcome by emotion. II ran away ,
from home when was youugster, !
and now that / have come back it is !
good news TO hear that a welcome {
awaits me- f"
Welcome? Yes, indeed. Your father J
has often said TO me that he would