Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1902-04-10
CHAPTER XIV.
THRIFT. HoRATIo, THRIFT. :"

CNA ~ E$t views with Dr- siIdlF
Law 81 &saI in which he stated in
IGI III b 5S1 the most positive man.
IA ~ ner that the mysteri-
ltSssleTIs ssySS Gus woman was not
a---s-7--=- Miss Maclane. This
did not have the effect of taking Bren-
da entirely out of print, but it inspired
all the newspaper writer's with eau
tion. for. though some of them were
not able to believe that Blair was tell
ing the truth, it was impossible to over
look the fact that he was the only wit
ness.
The most serious of the immediate
results of this publication was expert
enced by DR.. Blair himself about 10
o'clock in the forenoon, when he receiv-
ed call from Captain Neale. The cap
tain seemed not to be representing the
department upon this occasion. for he
was in the dress of a private citizen.
Even his shoes were different from a
policeman's Characteristic footwear.
As the apparel evidently was not worn
for purposes of disguise, it might be
assumed that Mr.. Neale had come upon
personal errand.
When admitted to Or. Blars office,
he first showed interest in all the doors
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 foI?'
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 a uniformed
policeman call at the house every ten
minutes is not good advertisement.
So | have engaged other quarters"
"Where?'
81 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:
Il don't know whether you're going
or not.'
"Make your mind easy" replied the
doctor. Il am"
you're an important witness in this
case" said the captain, 'and 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
O smile.
'"The house of detention is for the
poor" he said. at is for people who
will stand being imprisoned six months
or a 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 it.
"Well, you needn't tell me what it is"
he said. "Tll take your word for it
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 a way that made Blair nerv-
Gus, but it was nothing more formida-
BILE than a piece of chewing tobacco
that appeared. Neale nodded slowly
as he bit off a piece.
"From the beginning of this case"
caf1 fha 1natnp fsT hann tntalIu
unable to understand your game. What
is itY
"My game" replied the captain, sis
to take good care Of Joseph Neale"
"Well." said Blair, what have l
done to prevent itY'
Ever hear the story Of the beggar
who asked the professional charity
man for a dime"
81 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 n 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-quit or
let me in."
Blair drummed on the trunk with
his fingers.
Il 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 minute"
he said. "In the matter of Maclane 1
let you go on, merely showing you that
I was keeping close track. l didn't
suppose you'd jump so quick"
"What do you mean"
The captain shook a big forefnger In
Blair's face.
You went to Maclane's house last
evening" he said. "Then you gave out
that interview" And the big forefnger
came very close TO Blair's nose as the
captain added, How much did you
getT'
Blair's lean and deeply lined face
was suddenly moistened with perspira-
ton. He sprang up sidewise from the
trunk and walked around the far end
of the table.
This is getting personal" he said at
last, with a nervous laugh that scarce
ly passed beyond a contortion of the
lips.
"I'll make it personal for you, my
friend" he said. I'm fact, I'll land
you behind the bars before I'm done
with you. This is blackmail."
Blair laughed aloud.
"Blackmail Is u dreadful sln," he
said, "and nobody knows it better than
you do"