Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-01-29
Copyright, 1890, by Florence Warden.
BY FLORENCE WARDEN

So"
A slight frown crossed the face Of
Coch Tai. who was silent moment. as
he apparently tried to tit In this state
ment with the facts In his possession
and to consider it from the point OF
view of his own advantage. At last
he said abruptly:
"Oh. he wrote that. did he? And
what else did he writer"
Not much more. beyond saying that
you were to see him safe through the
! hills; safe. mind"
81 saw him safe as far as saw him
at ALL" retorted Coch Tai sullenly.
As there was a pause, Mason asked:
"And under what circumstances did
he leave you?"
Instead Of replying straightforward
" and at once. as. In spite Of himself,
Mason had begun to hope that he
would do. Coch Tai for the first time
looked at him askance, and, turning
little to the left. allowed his profile
only to be seen.
HE wanted to climb where told
| him there was no safe footing" he
answered at last, In slightly evasive
tone.
And then he stopped.
"Well. you reasoned with him. OF
course? And. of course. he would trust
to your experience and take your ad-
viceT
mo. he wouldn't" retorted Coch
Tai roughly. and turning to face his
Questioner again. III he had. he'd
have been alive this day."
An exclamation Of horror burst from
Masson's lips as he sprang forward
and, regardless Of the mountaineer's
superior stature and Of the open knife
in his hand. seized him by the throat
alive! He would have been alive!
Then he Is dead! You know 1t! And
you know how he died! You saw him
diev
As the young doctor blurted out
these short sentences. In low. throb-
bing voice that seemed to come
|
turned a curious purplish white and
seemed for the moment to be stunned
by this fierce and unexpected attack.
At last, however, he made a sudden
effort, drew long breath and wrench
ed himself out Of the grasp Of his COM
panion. who. however, returned to the
attack.
Then Coch Tai raised his right hand.
In which was the knife he had been
holding. And with his left hand he
made an imperious gesture Of warning
Don't touch me-" said he hoarsely.
Don't touch me. II you're wise man!
You can squeeze lies out Of a man. but
the truth don't come out like that"
Mason stepped back and staggered.
though he was not conscious Of the
fact.
The truth" gasped he, 1.-The truth:
What is the truth?
To which Coch Tai answered. with
solemn earnestness. as he dropped the
hand which held the knife and raised
the other higher In the air:
"That. sir. neither you nor me will
ever know while the breath remains IN
our bodies"
His earnestness made 30 great an
impression upon Mason, excited as
the latter was, that he made no imme-
diate retort or inquiry. But after q
few moments of uncanny silence he
said. In a low voice:
"Can you expect me to be content
with that? You have told me nothing,
nothing. But you know more"
Not much more." retorted Coch Tai
primly. "But l can make guess.
And II you'll come with me. you'll be
able to do as much yourself. Your
brother. as you may say he was-the
clergyman-left me in the valley to
climb up this hill by way told him
was not safe. | never saw him again"
But Mr. Tregaron saw him after
that"
80 he says. But | know nothing Of
that can only tell YOU what
know, what ! saw" retOrted Coch Tai
| StuDDOrnly.
There was always behind the mans
strangely honest and reassuring man.
ner this suspicious. undoubted reti-
cence.
And that was the last you did see
of my brothpr-dead or alive%
THAT was the last | saw Of him,
dead or alive"
"Yet you took 1t for granted he was
dead. How was that?"
| The man was silent.
Had you any reason to suspect foul
playT
mo more than when q man who
can't swim throws himself into the sea
where it's ten fathoms Deep" re-
| snonded Coch Tai Qrimly,