Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1900-04-07

lhS OlueI an AuSlfdllau, Gazing n1m-
self Willis Collins, known rs u gam
bler, suspected as a card-sharper, was
less fortunate. But for the cry of the
dying man he might have cleared him.
self but his reputation was against
him TO begin with; 1t was proved that
the other was young Englishman
who had lost his money through Col
Inns, and had been duped by him, and
altogether matters went hard with the
elder OF the two confederates. He was
tried and condemned not for murder.
rs il happened but mauslaughter.
and sentenced to Imprisonment for 20
years
The incident had passed out of my
mind until, on a visit TO America six
years later -four years previous to my
present one), man who had been of
our bear-shooting party in the Rocky
Mountains had CHANGED TO mention
that the fellow had very cieverly sue
cceded in making his escape from the
prison where he had been confined.
Carson MILDRED had n peculiarly Hat
| nose; Willis Collins had particularly
high one. Carson Wildred's hair was
inky black; Willis Colllns's had been a
bright auburn. The formers face was
smooth; the latter's mouth and chin
had been concealed by a heavy though
close-cropped red beard. 50 far as |
knew there was but one ulan living
who could have effected so radical n
change, not only In appearance, but in
In the countenance OF any human be-
ing, and that was an old fellow in
Paris who had gained n reputation
and fortune among men who had
reason to cut loose from the moorinps
OF their past. l had met this famous
Tor infamous) person in a curious way.
and had heard some strange stories
from his lips. If had made bis ac-
quaintance, why should not Collins
have done so, and profited by the
friendship, as fortunately had neither
desire nor need to do?
Meanwhile, however, 1 had other
work, and work closer at hand, to do.
while you've been talking Mr..
Bennett, said ], 81 have been coming
to a conclusion"
returned. az have risked betrayinS
Mr.. Farnham's confidence that / may
ask you what you think OF that last
hint Of his, which, to tell the truth, has
troubled me very much, coming, as IL
did, on top OF so many queer actions.
Although he was, or pretended TO be.
half In joke, ought 1 to let him stay
away without taking some measures
TO find out whether his life was really
threatened in California, aud irving
to help him out OF a scrape IL neces-
sary! OF course, IL all is straight. he'd
be furious to have a watch set on his
actions. and would never forgive me
the indiscretion. Still, haven't heard
from him, as l said, since the day of
his arrival, and neither my mind nor
my conscience Is very easy. Mr. Stap-
ton. The question is, what would you
do IL you were in my placer
l was delighted at this, and turned
halr away, that he might not see my
change Of countenance.
ITS rather a difficult position" T
said slowly ,"for you. But there's a
simple way out OF 1t, without any risk
OF losing Mr.. Farnham's favor. I've
been to the Santa Anna Hotel before.
There's no reason why 1 shouldn't go
there again IL l choose, and no reason
why L should mention having spoken
with you at all If meet my old friend
I'm something OF nomad, you know.
and il Pm in England one month. and
turn up In Kamtchatka the next no.
body is ever in the least surprised"
But have you been thinking OF 90
ing to Californian asked Bennett hair
relieved and half dubious as to the
course proposed.
'Oh, yes, I've been thinking OF IL"
promptly answered. But neglected
to add that 1t had only been during ths
past five minutes.
1t was nearly dinner time two dav.
later, when / drove up to the Santa
Hotel in San Francisco my heart
gave quick thump rs / came on
the name OF Harvey Farnham. IL
not in his handwriting, which
though had not seen IL for some time
remembered quite distinctly.
"Ah, gentieman's H." said the pro-
prietor, when curiously questioned
him. Had his arm in a sling-got my
clerk to put his name down for him, /
recollect, as was standing by. Mr..
Farnham has been out a good deal,
however, since he arrived, aud, indeed,
10 out at present He usually comes 10
about dinner time, though.
Thig was an incentive to me not to
mss that meal. L got into 10Y evening