Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1901-11-21
CHAPTER III.

What il was exactly that | feared, as
shut the book, don't know. But
wished with all my heart had left the
role of detective alone. Although
could not say that there was anything
wonderful or suspicious in itself in the
tact of medical student being inter-
ested in the study OF poisons, the re-
membrane of Dick millions Guilty
look when | surprised him with the
took in his hand came back to me with
fresh significance now that | knew what
subject it was that had absorbed MIN so
completely
The question now was. how to get the
book ] had taken from his pocket back
into it again II had been compare
lively easy TO take it out, would 1t be as
easy to find an opportunity of returning
il. especially now that the discovery Of
his loss would have put Dick Mulion on
the alert?
| had got as far as the door ofthn read
ipg-room, with the book in my hand.
still wondering what to do with it, when
the very man who occupied my
thoughts came out so quickly upon me
that had no time either to get aawy or
to hide the book.
Indeed an instructive attempt made
to thrust the volume into my pocket ar
rested his attention at once. and he
seized my right hand in grip which
found impossible to escape from He
twisted my w.ist around as easily as if
had been a child, and asked, with what
seemed to me terrifying sterness:
Where did you get that book from
I'll picked it up. Isis it
yours?"
Before | had got the words out he
had wrenched the book away from me
and replaced it in his own pocket with
such a sturdy look of contempt as
shall never forget.
Yes" he answered with what
took to be sort of stolid defan e, 1T
is mine What them"
BY this time | had recovered not only
my composure. but my suspicious
"0h. nothing | answered with
sheer Il suppose poisons have a great
interest for some people"
Dick Mulion glowered down at me,
with sort of repressed power in his
bulldog face that made nae feet like a
little terrier caught within range Of
the chain of a ferOcious animal ten
times its own size,
What subject on earth do you sup
pose is more interesting to doctor
than that of poisons?' he asked with
heavy. deliberate contempt that net
tied me again.
I'm sure | don't care how much YOU
interest yourself in poisons, provided
you don't try them on me-" answered,
!, b.t n Rta,lr az M a a NtDnant
and careless air.
The truth was. this man. with his
odd WAYS and his ponderous earnest
ness frightened me not a little. And
wanted to put on a lively manner TO
hide the fact that | was alarmed He
looked down at nee with evidently in
creased contempt
IF you saw me with cutters cata-
logue in my hand, would YOU imagine
that ! intended TO cut your throat9"
asked he quietly.
Il don't know I'm sure. ] answered
still trying to keep mp tone as light
aud easy as his was heavy and earnest.
But as we happen To be rivals. there's
no knowing what might happen.
II he had looked scornfully at me be-
fore. Dick Mullioa's countcnanee now
became almost crushing
Rivals" echoed he You and I?
hope ] couldn't be put by anybody else
on tho same level with man who could
pick auuther's pocket,
Who says pick pockets?"
II say Won picked mine
and before We got any further, old
Dr Mullon walked into us. ard there
was lull in hostiities
why. what & All this about? asked
the old gentleman putting OF his
glasses 10 look first az onre and then
at the other Not quarreling?'
The coming OF his uncle had ? aingu-
lar effect on Dick Mpilion He II once
pat his hands into his pockets. and
tried 10 laugh and to lounge away as IL.
ro;hiHg I'm particular had happened
But the doctor would not allow this
apd neither would T. felt that Dick
muliiOn deserved Il lecture and did
my best To let aim get Il
fOh nothing Or million said |.
1--WE only been congratulatinc yuur
nephew on the interest be takes in pois-
ems and he's answered py talking
aBout cutting my throat"
Tire good doctor looked from ne one
tc the other 81 MS in amazement
PoisOns cried he slowly Cut
ting OF throats,' Then he turned full
l.pon bis nephew and asked with 4
sudden severity Of which had thought
him incapable. Dick. Is this true? r.
This possihicg What do you mean by
it,
II aas curious to notice the sedden
alteration in Dick Mullion's manner az
he turned TO answer his uncie. ! must
say that. irritated as was against him,
liked the tone Of affeettonate defer
cuce he used 10 the old man.
i.~"frs "A rather distorted yersioa of
whst ta,a place. uncle. he said grave.