Hot Springs weekly star. (Hot Springs, S.D.) 1892-1917, 1899-05-12
""
M.

CHAPTER M.
Ii is close upon nine o'clock, and the
parlor of the old tavern looks even more
gloomy and d%isreputable than usual. The
fat landlord sits near the fire, imbibing
pineapple rum; but his usual surly cOun-
tenance bears an expression of intense
fear. and his restless glances wander in-
ccssantly from James Dowling's face to
the slipslod figure of old job, who sits
In his usual corner porting over the news
paper.
"Iiavc some rum, Jobw inquiries BOWL
ing. presently. what an unsociahle chap
You are. Come. put down that paper and
join us. We're dull enough tonight as it
is. What's become of all your customers,
Harris.:'
"Dunnc." growls that worthy.
II don't mind if l do have a glass to-
night" says old job. with unwontcd To-
quacity. II shall bc a-goin' off from here
tomorrow. Harris. I've hccrd of a job
as'll likely suit me, and I'm going to see
after it,
"Oh. indccd". says Bowling, leaning
back in his chair aud yawning lazily.
And are you going fary"
THAT he my business" is the curt re-
joindcr.
True for yon," says Bowling, bendi
down to strike IL match on the heel ~.
his boot. We'll, here's good luck to
YOU"
They drain their glasses, and as they
put them down, the door opens and IL
stranger comes in. He is IL tall. thin man,
very shabby and MISREPRESENTATION in APP
pearancc. with Il pale, strange face md
dark, somber eyes. The landlord rises To
greet him and To supply his wants. BOWL
ing and job. after a careless glance, go
on with their employment of mixing fresh
tumblers of rum and water. Old Job is
OPPORTUNITY in a sociablc mood. and actu-
ally condescends to answer Dowling's re-
marks, and give that astute individual IL
surly account of his forthcoming change
of location. and the duties he has UNDER
taken-all of which his hearcr knows to
bc utterly false. Presently, however. the
old man seems to grow uncomfortable.
He twists and turns about III his chair,
his words come in IL short, jerky fashion,
aud his eyes wander restlessly about the
room.
Bowling apparently pays no attention to
these symptoms. Presently, to his great
surprise, the old man rises and crosses
over W MueIe lllc lUle, OuU-lOOkllS
stranger is sitting.
The new arrival takes no notice of him,
beyond raising his eyes and giving u
sharp glance at his face.
Then he says. in a low soft voice
Remove your spectacles."
Without q word or sign Of remonstrance
the old man obeys.
"Sit down." continues the stranger.
Witch - 1D0,, csvt, D1l Io1> cs~l.r toto "a
chair, his eyes still resting in absorbed,
vet reluctant in%tentncss, on those strange
somber orbs that are fixed on him.
bowling lays down his pipe and watches
the two in breathlcss silence. The stran-
ger stands up now and makes n few rapid
passes over the mans head. Then he
turns to the detective.
He's off now he says, quietly. "I1e's
q wonderfully easy subject; he only resist
ed for half n minute"
Are you quite sure he's no sham
ming" asks Bowling, approaching and
"Surc!' eNclnims the stranger, scorn-
fully. Il wish l was as sure of having Il
thousand pounds this minute"
Shall I call in the othcrs?!" asks BOWL
ing. respectfully.
Certainly"
y moment later Mr.. Hcrrick and the
landlord enter together. The lawyer gives
Il keen. critical glance at the calm Sleep
ing figure. and then turns to the host.
BE good enough to lock your door," he
says. II dare say you know me; I'm Mr..
Herrick, the lawyer. I've reason to sus-
poet this man OF an ill deed, and I call
upon you to bear witness to anything that
may occur tonight"
To all appearance, the suspected man
is quietly asleep. His color is as fresh.
his breathing us regular as a child's.
Your questions, SIR" says the mes
merist, turning to Mr.. Hcrrick.
Ask him whether he is disguised or
not" is the quiet answer.
YES" is the response.
For what reason?' is the next cues.
ton.
ITO avoid detection"
Why do you wish to avoid detection?"
"Bccause-I am n guilty man"
ASK him. says Mr.. Herrick. present.
ly. ito describe what took place on the
evening of the Goth of January last"
Il had a note from Gabriel Lorton, n
man l had not seen for half a score of
years; l thought he was dead. l had done
him a great wrong once. and had no wish
to see him again. He found me out on
his return from sea and tracked me here.
l wrote and babe him be in the Beech
hampton Woods at a spot I described, the
e afternoon"
What followed?'
II met him ut the entrance to the woods.
l led him on to the most scquestcrcd part.
He insisted upon knowing what had be-
come of the girl to whom he had been
berrothed when lie smiled for that foreign
port. We had been rivals once, and he
hated me as I hated him. He said that
I had killed her. I knew he was right,
! knew that the girl had broken her heart
for love of him. His words maddened
NE; my blood was Up. When his hand
touched my throat I grew mad. The air
seemed filled with voices s~hrieking, Kill
him. kill him" A seq Of blood seemed to
hoat before my eyes. We wrestled to-
sethes silently. Ny hands pressed tight