Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1898-07-19
NUMBER ~.

ed. He appeared depressed and discon-
certed, and his changed mien excited
Paino's WOE 'or
ibid you like my story?" he asked.
eyes, /. is good story" Perkins
slowly responded. 1T is something Of
ali advance Cn the other. Still don't
find that it contains all expected. F"
"Why. what did you WANT" Paine
was on his mettle now. "You would
hardly expect three volume novel for
the price you offered.
II didn't bid high enough, that's
fact, the publisher confessed. "But |
want the rest Of it-badly. | am think
ing Of making you big offer for all
You know about Navy"
"In a series of short stories like the
otbers!"
"Oh. anyway you like-yesr Per.
kins got up and walked the floor impa-
tiently. II can explain Its,his way;
You have what want, and if can
make deal with YOU we won't dicker
about the price Now, what can you do
for me!"
II can supply tie demand, " said
Paine confidently. "But you must give
l.e time for this. Unfortunately all my
notes were stolen last night "
THAT was all you knew about Navy
asked Perkins hopelessly.
Everything had. Stay--there is
Navy's own story, hut | have already
dipped into that for few Of his peculiar
ideas.
"Navy's own story the publisher
echoed in strong excitement What
that!"
Paine made brief explanation, aud
upon learning the fate Of this story
Perkins drew long breath a. If tanta-
lized almost beyond endurance.
"But you say that you copied it, be
exclaimed. with CLEAN Of hope.
where's the copyi"
1T is still at my old home, packed
away with trunkful Of old letters up
In the attic.
"Then you could get it,
Certainly. il it is Of value to you. "
Strangely enough. the publishsr's
eagerness was quickly allayed by this
reply I'VE will let the matter rest
awhile he decided after moment OF
abstraction and then quietly Withdrew.
A few days aiterward Paine received
letter and paper addressed in his
mothers handwriting With a pleasant
anticipation of home news he opened
the letter, but its first paragraph drew
from him a cry Of surprise His old
home had also been entered by fUr-
glar. IL was u matter Of slight impc.-
lance, but in the light Of his own recent
experience 1t was sufficiently disturbing.
Further details made 1t very clear
that both Of these trivial robheries had
been committed by the same mysterious
person As in the former cas-, nothing
of value had been stolen, but the con-
tents Of al old trunk bad been found
scattered over the attic floor
II send you The Gazette, which has
lust arrived, Mrs Paine wrote IN con
clusion. IL see that the Penniwell mon
eN Uus EttU IttbNlIti Aiab DhN ~
the burglars Is IN custody. Possibly
this is the man who entered our house.
sudden light broke III upon Paine's
mind. There was but one man who
knew Of the papers in his trunk-one
man who had shown an insatlate Curl
osity about John Navy. Snatching up
The Gazette, be quickly ran over its
prolix account Of the arrest.
The last paragraph was especially in
teresting to hepler Paine:
1.-The prisoner registered at the Union
House as Perkins Of Chicago. HIS con-
nection with the Navy gang has been
clearly established, and 1t appears that
he discovered the long hidden booty by
means Of cipher message from his old
chief Part Of this cipher was contained
in certain obscure phrases Of story en-
titled John Nayy's Confession, which
was recently published in The Max
ina.