Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-04-30

smoke which (perhaps 1isfnG from the
fumes of that potent scent which Drug
ged me, perhaps from the incense Of
dreams) hid the truth from my intel
lect.
mo. thank you" said with irony:
II will not trouble you to be my cicer-
one There are scores to be settled,
but they can wait. You will go ahead,
please, and we shall see the last OF
each other for tonight at the front
door,
/ raised the revolver an inch or two,
and he smiled at it, or at some thought
it suggested, and, with show of stolid
good nature, moved on at my bidding.
Once his eyes had rested lovingly on
the bank notes, as gathered them to-
gether in my hand, and stuffed them
carelessly into a pocket, unwilling, at
all events, that they should benefit
him. But he gave no sign of an inten-
ton, or even a desire, to satisfy covet-
BUSINESS, and I wondered greatly what
reason strong enough to conquer the
avarice cleaning wildly for moment
from his eyes could be restraining him.
you'll have your telegram, sir?" he
said mildly, and gave me the brick
colored envelope. which all this time he
had been holding. I saw that he ex-
pected me to open it, and therefore
would not. The message, which could
be from no other that 'Mr. Smith," or
one of his emissaries, could wait lit
tie. If the landlord suffered disap-
pointment at my decision, he hid it well
as he had been able to hide other emo
tons from me before.
Even now could scarcely bring my
self to believe that he meant to let me
and my bank notes go SO cheaply; but
like lamb he led me to the low front
door by which I had entered, unbarred
and opened it, babe me good night"
as if he had been humble friend and
well-wisher, and-as with a glorious
sense Of recovering life and liberty af-
ter the fostering horror of the tomb
l sprang up the stone steps to the level
of the street, he remained quietly gaz-
ing after me.
The whole experience of the night
had been extraordinary, and this sud-
den, inexplicable change of base was
not the least curious part.
The storm was high, and a surf OF
wind beat upon the rugged front OF the
strange old houses, each one Of which
seemed to crystallise some paragraph
of history; and the spray Of it whirled
against my face. I could have shouted
aloud in my exultation. Never had
known to the full the dearness of life.
What had l to live for had not had
yesterday, save an added responsibility,
perhaps? Yet / would not have sac
rificed my recovered foothold on exist
ence, even for the establishment OF
my sullied honor before the world.
/ glanced back over my shoulder,
when l had gone few PAGES, fancying
/ heard a pursuing patter of feet under
the noise OF the storm. But l was mis-
taken. The small, square patch OF
light painted in gold upon the darkness
had been blotted out with the shutting
of the door at the Spinning jimmy; and
nothing followed me save the rrs-le OF
street debris, hurried into aimleSs
flight by the wind.
The early northern dawn was al
ready heralded in the east, though L
hardly knew this till l had come oEt
from among the huddled buildings OF
the narrow High street, and reached
the wider, clearer space which Princes
street and the new part of Britain s
Athens gave.
At a street lamp dulled by the coming
light in the sky, l tore open and read
nv telegram, which was addressed
"Derek Napier, Spinning Jinney, High
street, Edinburg. Wait where you
are the lines ran, "till you hear again.
Have another commission for you.
Will wire address to meet in London
tomorrow. Call Spinning Jinney for
telegram between eleven and twelve IN
morning to receive PARTICULARS
Smith"
This message afforded me much food
for thought. l was no nearer proving
the attempt to murder me at the inn
than before; but could begin to see a
reason for believing the dim evidence
of my drugged senses, by supplying a
motive for the saving of my life.
If Mr.. Smith. who was doubtless the