The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1899-10-24
plot would encroach too mulch upon

plot would encroach too much upon
actual facts"
He did not seem to hear me. He was
staring over my shoulder, deep In
thought, like a man who dreams his
thoughts.
"Bahw he said suddenly, with great
passion. How did you learn all you
know, Ell? You could not have guess
ed what no one else had suspectedw
Il fear do not understand you," l
said, with smile.
You lie! You know you lie! Do
you think l have come here to be
sucked on such prevarications2 Do
you think brought this with me for
any reason but to get from you an &C
count of how you discovered the pur-
pie spot on my shirt; how you saw
how it happened, as you must have
done, though you don't .say so in your
accursed story? Can't you see, in
genious puppy, that mean to know
and when l know to send you where
you cannot run man down by novel
writing nor put the law upon him
It's your life or miner
"With all your threats" l said,
you're a big bit of a fool, Mr.. Port
man, or else your mind is unhinged.
The book was mainly written upon the
merest conception of my own, suggest
ed to me by short paragraph. have
already told you that The manner in
which my murderer, John Saxon, was
brought to justice for his crime was
pure fiction work. Now are you salts
fled?"
NO" he replied, throwing himself
back in his chair. what you say may
be true. don't know. In any case,
your story has put me under the suspi-
cton of the police and the people of
Rochdale. am marked man, don't
doubt. Probably the police are hunting
me down now-now! But they won't
find the shirt~
Probably you overrate the interest
the police and people of Rochdale take
in my novels and the death of your
partner" l said, with an effort at calm
hCcS lAOt bOO easy ~ dSbuIIles
Possibly l dor he replied, in a
hoarse voice, with a furtive glance at
the door. But there is you to reckon
with noww
"MeT
Eyes, you! Do you think If I lsnew I
was as safe from suspicion as before
your book was written could leave
you after what I've said to you to-
night"
What do you propose to do, then
Give yourself over to the police, eh p l
asked Ironically, for l was weary of
the. terrible nervous strain.
1T is you or me, and. by my soul, /
will seal your lipSy
TO my uttermost surprise he made a
sudden dash round the table at me, but
in the moment Of his heightened pas
sion he forgot his revolver. l thrust
out my arm and snatched it from the
table as quickly lodged my assailant,
and stepping back held the barrel in
his face.
Stand back. John Saxon, or tirev'
cried.
He staggered back and leaned against
the wall
"Give me the key, John Saxon" /
said sternly.
With his wild eyes fixed upon the re-
volver he took the key from his pocket
and threw it upon the table. l took ii
up and drew toward the door.
AS if he realized that the door weuld
open only to let him pass out to the
gallows. he made desperate, sudden
spring at me as, with my left hand, /
slipped the key into the lock.
"Stand backp' cried and pushed the
revolver into the hollow of his ashy
cheek.
stop he calculated hoarsely as
with an impetuous gesture he pushed
his lank hair off his moistened brow
with both his hands. What are you
going to do, old man? A price, price,
price! A price-my life! I'll buy my
life! A priceT"
He crept toward me, shaking his
trembling arms above his head. Sud
denly he stopped, and his eyes started
| from their sockets. He threw his chin
forward as If trying to swallow some
lump rising In his throat. Then, as
sprang to him. he twisted on his heel
and fell in a heap upon the floor.
A price. Nemesis had refused his
price for life.-Chicago Herald.