Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-02-26

| opening from the room: then he be
| slowed moments attention upon some
| of the doctors effects which had been
collected as If to be packed in large
| trunk.
"Going away" inquired Neale.
"Move," responded Blair.
"What for?"
"You've succeeded in spelling my
practice around here" was the reply.
Il am not more modest than other doc
tors, but the kind of conspicuousness
which comes from having uniformed
policeman call at the house every ten
minutes is not good advertisement.
So have engaged other quarters"
"WhereP
II would like to tell you that it's none
of your business" said Blair. .'but that
wouldn't prevent you from finding out.
I'm going up town"
| And he gave the address, which the
captain ostentatiously noted down
Having done this, he looked Blair in
the eye and said:
II don't know whether you're going
or not
Make your mind easy" replied the
doctor. ~ am"
YOU'RE an important witness in this
case" said the captain, land l want
you where can get my hands on you"
well, I'm not going far"
The captain screwed up his queer
eyebrows in his own peculiar fashion.
Its my opinion" said he, .'that
you're going to the house of detention"
Blair looked uneasy, but he mustered
| a smile.
'The house of detention Is for the
poor" he said. at is for people who
will stand being imprisoned six months
or year for nothing without making
any fuss about it."
you're poor enough, my friend" re-
piled the captain, land I'll see that you
don't make any fuss. I've got story
all fixed up that will keep you quiet"
Blair let the lid of the trunk fall
heavily and then sat down on top Of 1t
well, you needn't tell me what it Is"
he said. "Ill take your word for 1t
that it's good one. In short, you in
tend to ruin me in this town.
The captain put his hand into his
pocket in way that made Blair nerv-
GUS, but 1t was nothing more formida-
bic than n piece of chewing tobacco
that appeared. Neale nodded slowly
as he bit off piece
"From the beginning of this case"
said the doctor, 81 have been totally
unable to understand your game. What
is it,"
"My game" replied the captain. as
to take good care of Joseph Neale."
"Well." said Blair. what have i
done to prevent it:"
Ever hear the story of the beggar
who asked the professional charity
man for dimeY'
| II don't remember it, said the doc.
tor.
| "The charity man said: Go over on
the other side Of the street. I'm work
| ing this side.''
Blair appeared to ponder deeply upon
the significance of this ancient tale in
the present situation.
Look here" said the captain sud
denly. You saw Brenda Maclane COM
| ing out of that house, and you had
sense enough to keep still until you
found out where you stood. That was
all right. You found out, right away,
( what kind of father she had, and you
! knew that your information was worth
money. Now, don't jump. I've looked
you up, and I've found out that you're
not above that sort of thing. Very
well; few of us are, but when you
found out that was ON you ought to
have done one of two things-duit OF
let me in"
/ Blair drummed on the trunk with
his fingers.
81 thought You were after Alden" he
said.
I'm after 'em both"
"Do you still believe there's anything
in Alden's story of money!" queried
Blair, eying the other shrewdly.
Neale nodded emphatically.
"But we'll leave that for a minute
he said. in the matter of Maclane ]
let you go OH, merely showing you that
was keeping close track. didn't
/ oupposc SOu u jump 81 QUICK.
what do you mean?"
The captain shook big foretinger In
Blairs face.
"You went to Maclane's house last
evening"" he said. "Then you gave out
that interview" And the big forefingel
came very close to Blair's nose as the
captain added, "How much did you
get?"
Blair's lean and deeply lined face
was suddenly moistened with perspira
tion. He sprang up sidewise from the
trunk and walked around tile far enc
of the table.
"This is getting personal" he said al
last, with nervous laugh that scarce
ly passed beyond contortion of thu
lips.
'I'll make it personal for you, my
friend" he said. I'm fact, I'll lant
you behind the bars before I'm done
with you. This is blackmail."
Blair laughed aloud.
"Blackmail Is dreadful SIM" hi
said, land nobody knows 1t better thar
you do"
L uli lOl DIT III W III
watched Blair carefully as the latte
paced up and down gnawing his lips.
Captain" said the doctor, pausin:
suddenly and facing about, show mucl
money can you raise?"
Neale's eyebrows took the shape O
inverted VS., and beneath them hi
eyes looked like dots because of tn
contraction in the corners.
what are you trying to get at?" b
demanded. you mean something
What is it?"
A sudden shivering seized Blair, s.
that his jaws could be seen to shake
Indeed they could be heard. He cross
ed to a locker on the wall, from whicl
he took small bottle containing
thick and dark fluid. This he raise,
to his lips, shuddering at the taste o
1t. But he seemed to be benefited 4
the matter Of self command.
rnnlininaSv cniI Nao1o