The Holly chieftain., 1898-08-05
SuSsrSsSnssfSSsSssfdussss sssssnusfrrssrrsftssssssl!
!: A CLEW BY WIRE
Or, An interrupted Current.
BY HOWARD M. Y0ST.
Copyright. Isss, sy J. B. Lippineoe Co.
CHAPTER X.-CosT1yuEp.

| i went on expressing amazemeut, un-
til l discovered that Sonntug did not
seem to hear me, so intent was he over
the words the voice had uttered.
"Pshaw! what's the use bothering
over that, Mr.. Sonntag?'' L said. There
isn't much sense to be made out of it,
anyhow"
Yes, there is, too. 1t is conversa-
ton, and not mere tumble of words ''
the old lcwyer said, with an air of tri-
umph. Just hear what I make out of
/ it now"
Divided up. the following was Sonn-
/ tags version:
First Party-"Never will you have my
consent under existing circumstances.
You have broken faith with me in every
way. Why was the property removed
from the original placc?"
Second Party-"To bring you to
time
First Party-"What did you do with
it?"
Second Party-"Safely hid. where you
can never find it unless you talk wis
| dom. | shall go for it this very night
and take ii away, and not one dollar
will you ever"
"rhere, that's pretty sensible talk,
l take it, said my lawyer, when he had
finished.
oh well, perhaps it is sensible
| enough, but what good will it do you,
| now that you have made conversation
out of it?" l remarked, in some i'm
| patience, for Sonntag's satisfaction
seemed to be out of all proportion to the
| Importance of few chance remarks
caught in some mysterious fashion
from a telephone wire.
The old lawyer smiled in kind of
plying way, and regarded me with n
whimsical expression.
/ who knows?" / went on, gayly;
| perhaps my arrival in Nelsonville may
be the cause of a complete revolution in
matters regarding the telephone. l
| must send for an electrical expert and
have him investigate the mystery. Al
ready there are visions of an immense
\ fortune floating through my head
Suppose we go to the old school
house from which the stones used in the
two doorwnys were evidently taken"
Sonntag suggested, breaking in upon
my imaginings.
What possible difference can it make
If the stones were taken from there ?"
remarked. THAT will not tell US why
the job was done"
well, it would be pleasant for you to
meet an old friend. Horace Jackson's
hunting lodge is quite near the school
house. Perhaps we may find him at
his place" my lawyer said, insinuat-
ingly.
Yes, l know. The fellow Hunter. the
agent at Sidington, told me jackson
comes up here occasionally to hunt and
fish. But as for Jackson being a friend
of mine, heaven n>saye me from such
friends!"
Noting Sonntag's surprise ut my
words. l explained the reason of my
| outburst-how Jackson had of late
changed his opinion of my innocence,
and how Florence had made compact
with him, and the certainty he seemed
to feel that she would be compelled to
redeem her promise.
The lawyer was all attention now,
keeping his sharp eyes constantly on
my face, while l poured out my opin-
ion of Jackson and his underhand meth
DDS. / was n lover and Jackson sort
of rival, so naturally my remarks were
somewhat stronger, perhaps, than nee
essary.
why did you call the station-agent
Hunter?" asked Sonntag.
because he told me that was his
name" replied
Indeed! What could he have told
you that for, wonder? His name is
not Hunter; it's Skinner"
at is? Well, that's odd. Why should
he wish to conceal his real name from
me?"
I'm! can't say, I'm sure" replied
Sonntag, dryly. But l am delighted
beyond measure to hear what you have
told me concerning Jackson" he ex-
claimed, with more enthusiasm than
he had ever displayed.
''Oh, indeed! 1t does not delight
me; the bare suspicion has been enough
for me to endure. l do not know that
/ would care very much for a seeming
proof of guilt to be found against me.
You do actually seem pleased" re-
marked with disgust.
PLEASED is not the word. am more
than pleased. What you have told me
is a most important bit of news" Sonn-
tag said, taking up his hat.
why is it important, and to whom ?"
i asked.
Very important to me, but more to
yourself"
mo; stay and explain" called to
him as he went out the door; what
do you mean?"
Haven't moments time. Must go.
mean that most probably the cloud
| which has enveloped your name will be
lifted shortly. Do not cut into the eel
lar to-day. Wait until tomorrow"
Saying this, my lawyer departed.
CHAPTER XI.
stood for some time gazing at the
door through which Mr.. Sonntag had
zone Amazement held posSess;op of