The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-08-11
J zst0RAMl RERWYNS~
IL . ia: -. k2F0RTUNE.
N2RsE aH&~S
CHAPTER XVII.

The fervor with which Arnold Dacre
uttered those sentiment words, held Joy,
amazement, and fierce resentment COM
mingled. His eyes glowed, his fingers
slowly clenched and unclenched, his
nostrils slowly expanded, he fairly
crouched, like a blood-thirstY tiger poised
for q spring upon its unsuspecting prey.
He had guessed the identity OF the
strange SPY who had so annoyed, so per-
t~inaciously Swallowed him. He did not
positively know it-he did not recognize
any familiar feature, only, as the UNI
spectacled eyes came into full view, a
flashing intuition, a shrewd surmlse pro-
tected the tumultuouS, overwhelming
query-"can this mar be Ray Webster
disguised?"
The more Arnold Dacre thought of it,
the more certain was he OF the accuracy
of his conjecture. He reflected deeply
for some moments. Then he went into
the tavern again. He proceeded straight
to the landlord with whom he had made
friends before. Birds Of a feather, the
one an apt feecer of customers, the other
o delft feecer OF outsiders. they were con-
genial spirits in any scheme of fraud or
cunning.
The ever-eficacious money bribe was
brought into immediate reQuisition.
Pressing a ten dollar bill into the fat
palm of the avaricious boniface, Arnold
Dacre said craftily:
'Ill double that to have a sample OF
the handwriting Of your boarder up
stairs-the blue-spectacled man."
"Eh!" projected the landlord, "you
will? WE'LL" with a chuckle, You shall
have it."
He proceeded to the desk IN one corner
of the room. From its depths he pro-
cured a dusty, time-worn blank book.
Haven't kept a register for ten
years." he grinned to the watching d.
ere. Guess I'll begin now. Here! you
register"
Arnold Dacre wrote his name. Sew
eral other guests followed. Sitting back
in the shadow, Dacre started expectant-
~ as the blue-spectacled man appeared,
and walking up to the landlord, asked
him if he could wake him at earliest
dawn, and supply him with a saddle
horse for a little trip into the country.
Certainly, certainly" assented the
landlord heartily. 'Oh, by the way,
Mr.
''Graves, George Graves" supplement-
ed the guest.
Good. Would you mind registering?
You haven't yet Thanks"
Without a thought Of intrigue, the
blue specialized man took up a
pen, and dashed off the required
record. Then he went up stairs to his
room again. Arnold Dacre fairly sprung
to the register. He surveyed the last
written line it bore with eager, scintil-
liant eyes.
ut is he-it is Websterl George
Graves, or any other Ssumed name, l
would know his hand writing anywhere.
He has signed his death warrant"
Yes, it was Ray Webster. There could
be no doubt Of it now.
81 want to talk with you" spoke
Dacre excitedlY to the landlord.
The latter led him to a retired room.
Arnold Dacre had resolved to take no
further risks. He ordered a horse sad.
died at once. He was going ID leave,
but first did tho landlord want to make
$50?
Did he! The avaricious eyes sparkled
gloatingly.
"You know the man who Just signed
the register?"
Yes, George Graves"
He is no more George Graves than ]
am"
MOP" uttered the landlord, surpris-
eddy.
No"
Assumed name?"
Exactly"
"Then-"
HE is an escaped convict, for whom
the State offers $50 reward"
"What luck! and Pm to have it?"
eli you follow nv directions. Yes.
Make no noise about it, but send the
constables to nab him and lock him up.
I'll be back tomorrow and identity him.
Can / rely on you?"
FIFTY dollars? Well! I should re-
mark" calculated the landlord.
One hour later, two conStablcs were
led to the sleeping apartments of r."
tavern by the landlord, and were given
whispered instructions. They reap
peared an hour later. They had found
the inmate Of room II asleep. Intoxi-
Gated, too, it seemed, for they had 10
fairly carry him to the jail, where he
now was, a safe prisoner. He had made
no resistance.
Every good. Wait till my friend Mr..
Dacre returns tomorrow, and I'll tell
you who be is. Keep him close" ordered
che landlord.
Arnold Dacre had braved the ,terrors
of a dark ruttv road, de- pite the char
coal burners warnings. He dared not
delay. Too much was at stake.
1t was just daylight, when, after
arduous exertions, he located the cave as
described in the duplicated verbal de-
s~cription of the destroyed document.
He penetrated it and lit his lantern.
He had memorized the charcoal burners
message Step by step he followed it.
Progress tailed with the directions.
He reached a cavity in the rock. His
heart beat high. Here was the climax
OF hope, or the depths Of despair. He
extended bis hand within the oriice. 1t
closed with a thrill over a soft, compact
substance.
With a wildly-beating heart, he drew
it into view. With a ringing cheer of
the most extravagant delight, ne seized
it.
He had found the precious missing
package, at last!
CHAPTER XVIII
A BAY
1t was found at laSt-recovered intact,
in the possession Of the man who had
so sinned in striving for 1.-THE precious
package!