The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1898-01-08
never seemed to notice"

shoot me was not for my calling him
by his right name. See here, Mr.. Sonn-
tag" continued, earnestly. do you
suppose he is in any way concerned in
the cellar AFFAIR.""
"Who, Skinner? Good gracious, no!
that is, I can't say, but think not"
What were you talking to him
aboutP" I asked, eying the old fellow
with some impotence. for the more I
conversed with him the less I could I'M
derstand him. ~
"Oh, about matter Of freight" my
agent replied. indifferently.
ut was trivial, them"
"Yes. yes, of no Importance what
ever"
"Mr. Sonntag, it is from no wish to
know the subject OF your conversation
with that wretch of a Skinner that l
ask the question. But l happened to
see you just before entered the Office,
and l am trifle curious to know if you
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 earnest?" he finally inquired.
Everything about me seems to be
mysterious!" l exclaimed, piqued to
Impotence at his wholly lodging my
question. There's one mystery that
will be cleared up soon, however," /
added, decidedly.
"Yes? And that is"
"The cellar mystery"
Sonntag again cautioned me against
being too precipitate.
Then give me some good reason for
your caution!" exclaimed. It's get
ting monotonous following peoples adj
vice without. having reason for SO
doing. I'll do so no more. Thave half
notion to get out of the place. Ever
since my arrival, petty trivial circum-
stances. have .harassed me and kept
me in an irritable mood"
well, maybe it would be best for
1 you to visit some of your friends in
town." Sonntag said. refectiyely, "if
only for few days." ....
mo. sir. 1 have no friends, and your
seeming desire to have me away makes
me the more determined to stay. But
a 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?" l CURLY asked.
You'll know in the morning" my
lawyer replied. with smile.
II may be dead by that time" re-
piled. Certainly if / 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.ofter 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 l would level the weapon al
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, know that. And if there
should be occasion for it to go off in my
hand, you may be sure it will be fol
the purpose of hitting something.
believe my peace is threatened. if moi
my life. How do know but what tina,
cellar under my room has been used
maybe is being used, for some crimina
purpose? II that is true, my arriva
in Jacksonville 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 ar,
being made to cause me to leave; Il
mysterious demonstrations cannot nc
complish It by frightening me. ther
the purpose is to remove me by DEATH
"There may be something in what
you say" sonntag remarked. after {
moments thought. but promise mt
you will not attempt to shoot the sta
ton agent" he added. with deep ear
nestness.
"What? Make no defense against
his cowardly attacks?' exclaimed, il
amazement at my lawyers request.
HE will not repeat 1t, you may b.
sure. At least promise to defer re
taliation until tomorrow"
"And get shot in the meantime!"
mo. l said 1t would not happier
again"
Just let me get my hands on him
I'll choke the life out of him." was thu
only reply made.
"Oh, yes; that's all right. Choke hin
all you want to, but please, Mr.. Con
way, no shooting. l don't mind tell
ing you that any headstrong course OF
your part may upset few well-lait
plans for your own good, which Civ
promise now of fruitful results. Wal
until tomorrow. You shall know al
then, l promise you"
1t is impossible to convey by word
the seriousness of my lawyers name
in making these remarks.
When l was conversing with Mr.
Sonntag there was something abou
! Il u o. fz1l