Evening star., 1900-11-10

tcular notice Of the dark, restless eyes and
clear-cut features, also of the small scar or
the left side Of the mouth. He was the
Centipede without a doubt After nobbler
of brandy and a few more unimportant re-
marks, the priest ordered his supper to be
prepared for him, and then made as if he
would leave the room. The teamster, how
ever, in the meantime, had said something
in undertone to the landlord who, in re-
ply, somewhat unWilingly addressed the
clergyman.
This man. your reverence he said in
an apologetic tone, asks me to inform you
that one Of his mates lies diving out In
camp yonder. and wants to know if you
would have any objection to going out to
see him. He says he don't think the poor
chap will live till morning"
The priest looked intently at the carrier
and then from him at the landlord. Caves
son could see that he was placed in an awk-
ward position. By all the rules of his cloth
1t would never have done for him to have
declined to go. and yet remembering who
he was, and how necessary it was for him
to be close. he had no desire to run the
risks Of being dra VII into a trap
DO you know this mani" he inquired Of
the landlord.
Know him?" returned the landlord with
a laugh. Ior bless you. I've known him
for years"
You are quite sure that I can trust my
self with him.
This was speech, as Cavesson could
see, that was possessed If a double mean
ing.
IN pledge my word on it," answered the
landlord. who. as may be supposed had nc
notion of the teamster's connection with
CavesSon and the police.
Very well. then. I'll CO. the other re-
piled. While l am absent let my supper
be prepared; and see that it is ready for
me by the time | return. Now nv friend
lead the way. and If the comforts of the
church can help to assuage the spiritual
sorrows of your unhappy friend, you NAV
rest assured that they shall be given in the
most fit and proper manner"
1hey le't the house together, and Caves
son, VINO mad at tnat moment been lolling
up against the counter, prepared to follow
tnem AS he did 50 the girl behind the bar
allowed glass to fall from her hand
What did you do that for you hussy?"
asked her father angrily 1T amt like you
TO go chuckinS the crockery about Go and
get his reverence's supper and look sharp
about it Do you hear me?'
len minutes later the strangely assorted
trlo reached the rendezvous. where the
gray outline of the wagon could be plainly
distinguished, thrown into relief as it was
by the leaping flames of the camp fire.
II the priest had any suspicious left, this
familiar sight must have tended to relieve
him Of them, for he approached the wagon
with all his old confidence.
Where Is the invalid?' he inquired. as
he passed the fire.
Upon the loading" the carrier replied.
HoW's 1t with you now, Jim?'
Bad. bad, mortal bad the sick man re-
Piled In husky voice. Are you going to
let lei me me die like dog without the blessings
No. no, my friend" said the supposed
priest. 1T is fortunate for you that l
am here to minister to your requirements"
If your reverence would be pleased to
mount the wagon" said the carrier, you'd
be bile to see him for yourself. Here you
Dick, hand US the steps. and look sharp
about it"
Thus abjured, Cavesson produced the
ladder. and propped 1t against the tail
board of the wagon. A moment later the
priest had mounted and was on top of the
load. kneeling beside the supposed sick
man, he inquired the nature of his ailments
At the same moment Woman'S shrek
rang out on the still night air. and the inn
keepers daughter was to be seen fastening
toward the camp.
what's that" cried the priest, leaping
to his feet.
1T means that so far as you are con-
cerned the game is up" answered Cavesson
as he spoke. Put your hands above your
head Centipede, you're a dead man"
"My dear fellow, there's not the least
necessity for that" returned the Centipede,
with gentle little laugh that was more
| an expression of amusement than of any
thing else. 80 you're really Cavesson,
are you? Well 1t seems as if you've scored
after all, does it not? l did not expect to
be caught in this simple fashion, and just
as l was leaving the country, too" Then
he added, looking round him at the others:
Il suppose it would be no use my attempt
ing to make a fight for it?'
Not in the least" Cavesson replied. and
as he spoke he blew his whistle and the
| troopers. who had hitherto lain hidden
| among the brushwood, rose and approached
| the wagon.
| Just put the handouts on him to make
| sure. Brown" said Cavesson. and In reply
| to the order the invalid rose from his couch
and produced a pair of manacles, with
which he encircled the Centipe5es wrists.
Fancy my having allowed myself to be
caught in this ridiculously simple fashion,"
| said the Centipede, as he descended the
| ladder and stood before the fire. After
| this you'll be the hero Of the hour. Caves
son.
| 'It's about time I had little success
answered the other, grimly. And then. to
| make assurance doubly sure. he ordered
| that one of the handouts should be made
| fast to his own left wrist That done he
| dispatched two of his men to requ1sition
| horses from the innkeeper, being desirous
| Of returning to the township and setting
| his prisoner under lock and key with as
little delay as possible.
'It Is all my own fault" said the Cent?
| pede, as they stood together before the nre
| awaiting the arrival of the transport serv-
ice III I had not played fast and loose
with that girl. who. by the way. has cleared
| out, I should not be in the predicament
| am now. suppose she gave me away?"
| "You don't expect me to commit myseif T