Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-04-02

4 had sent to myself at the Elsinore
Hotel would have been brought up
against me, and, now that l saw be-
hind it, had evidently been suggested
with that intent The IN" on the ar
ticles in my travelling-bag would bear
witness that it had in all probability
been selected my myself, not a strang-
ef, as | should have asserted. The very
fact that all these arguments must oc-
cur to me, if | contemplated betraying
| my employer, protected him, as he
stood completely screened by me. And
as for the detectives evidence, it was
worth little (unless he knew more than
l had got from him) so far as impli-
eating the prime mover in the affair
| was concerned. With him as a wit
ness, and the strange tale which | did
not doubt the girl could tell | might
| be spared more than a temporary in
| convenience, if / chose now to take the
police into my confidence but l was
strongly convinced that Mr. Smith was
not man who would allow his de-
signs to be frustrated by Scotland
( Yard.
He had hidden his real identity well,
and would have some safe haven in
which to moor, as soon as the newspa-
pers or private information told him
that his schemes were likely to gang
aglee." Not only would he hide like
! a rat in a hole until the hue and cry
had passed on, but it might easily be
that man capable of doing what he
had already done would dare still
; more.
The horrible crime he had contem-
plated (for there was no doubt in my
mind that he meant murder, and that
the only law in his calculations had
lain in not making sure OF what he had
intended) would never have been I'M
dertaken unless a powerful motive ex-
listed for its execution. That motive
had certainly not now disappeared, and
| it might take more than my care, or
, that of the law, to preserve the girl
from harm when Mr. Smith" was
! warned that he had failed.
Individually it sav0ured of conceit on
my part that l should resolve to set
my wits to work against the clever
brain as such a man as he; vet the
temptation was great. One or two
clues, which would be lost in other
hands than mine, had been given me:
and besides, had now a private ven
delta to work out.
Mr.. Smith had made of me a catspaw.
as doubted not he had done with other
men in situations as desperate, and I
burnt to administer punishment. | be-
lieved that I could do that which, if
the police were set to work at this del
icate juncture, might never be accom-
plished.
Don't you believe that I've told
you the truth, sir?" faltered my prison.
er.
He sat there shaking, his teeth click
ing together as if in an ague: for I'M
consciously, during my meditations. I
had advanced the muzzle of the ravolv-
er so close to his face, while he cow
cred against the back CT the big chair.
as to press coldly on his forehead.
Il rather think you have, as far as 1t
goes" l answered. How much were
you to get out of the business?"
MY salary, and-and a present of
twenty pounds from Mr. Nathan Build
er when when he'd dispensed with
my services
l thought again for a moment, and
then | said in businesslike tone:
Now, look here. If l were afraid Of
you, have the means of silencing you
for ever. am not afraid; and, on the
contrary. in small way, you may be
useful to me, at the same time sub
stantially lettering your own interests.
This Mr.. Nathan Builder, as you may
have suspected. has a risky game on
foot, in which it would ruin you to be