The daily morning Alaskan., 1899-12-14

really existed. or I should not have used such a plot"
 But you must have known. You must have seen" he cried. leaning over the table aud hlssing hls words Into my face.
 wbat would have happened lf the meaning of his words had flashed h. stead of dawnlng slowly upon me l cannot think. | never want to know. But. coming upon my worried brain slowly. the meaning did not make me start. and my visitor. who evidently realized be had spoken without think Ing how be spoke. probably trusted l had missed his second sentence.
 To help hlm to that belief an swered:
 "IIow could have known the un' fortunate dyer had partner2 l realize my horrible mistake now. of course. | ought never to have written the book without first lnQuirIng whether my plot would encroach too much upon actual facts"
 He dld not seem to hear me He was staring over my shoulder, deep in thought. like a man who dreams his thoughts.
 "Bah." he said suddenly. with great passion. How did you learn an you know. eh? You could not have guess ed what DO one else had suSpected!
 -I fear do not understand you" | said. with a smile
 You lie. You know you lie. Do you think have come here to be suckled on such prevarlcationsl Do you think | brought this with me for any reason but Co get from you an ac- 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? Cant you see. In. genlous puppy, that mean to know and when | know Co send you where you cannot run a man down by novel writing nor put the law upon hlml It's your life or mlne"'
 with all your threats" said you're a biz bic Of a fool. Mir. Port. mau. or else your mind Is unhlnged. The book was mainly written upon the merCst 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 hls crime was pure fiction work. Now are you satis' fiedT
 "No. he replied. throwing himself back in bis chalr. What you say may be true. l don't know. In any case, your story haa nut mo sssas- tne su-pt' clon Of the police and the people of Rochdale. am a marked man. don't doubt. Probably the police are hunting me down now-now! But they won't and the shirtr'
 Probably you overrate the Interest the police and people of Rochdale take 10 my novels and the death of your partner" l said. with an effort at calm. ness not too easy to assume.
 Possibly do" be replied. 10 a hoarse voice. with a furtiye glance at the door But there Is you to reckon with now!'
 "MeT"
 "Yes. you! Do you think 1T knew was as safe from suspicion as before your book was written l could leave you after what I've said to you to nightT'
 What do you propose to do, then! Give yourself over to the police, ehT | asked ironically. for was weary of the terrible nervous strain.
 "It Is you or me. and. by my soul. l will seal your llps!"
 To my uttermost surprise he made a sudden dash round the table at me, but in the moment of his heightened pas sion be forgot his revolver. 1 thrust out my arm and snatched lt frCn the table as quickly lodged my assailaut. and stepping back held the barrel ln hls face.
 Stand back. John Saxon, or dre:" 1 cried.
 He staggered back and leaned against the wall
 "Glve me the key, John Saxon" l said sternly.
 With hls wild eyes fixed upon the re- volver. be took the key from his pocket and threw lt upon the table. took it up and drew toward the door.
 As if be realized that the door would open only to let him pass out to the gallows. he made a desperate, sudden spring at me as. with my left hand I slipped the key Into the lock.
 stand backF cried and pushed the revolver Into the hollow of his ashy cheek.
 "stop!' be calculated hoarsely as wi,S an impetuous gesture be pushed his lauk hair off his molstened brow with both hls hands. What are you going to do. old man7 A price. price, price! price-my lifel I'll buy my life. prieer'
 He crept toward me. shaking his trembling arms above his head. Sud denly be stopped. and hls eyes started from their sockets. He threw bis chin forward as It trying to swallow some lump rising 10 hls throat Then. as l sprang to him. be twisted on his heel and fell 10 a heap upon the floor.
 A pricel Nemesis had refused his