Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-04-29

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I WAS ABOUT TO ARISE FROM NIX
SEAT AND OPEN THE DOOR,
BUT HE STOPPED ME.
would be that I had been bought, and
that was not only taking no further
interest in the case, but that l was
keeping out of the way of those who
did. To add to my misery, could cas-
lily imagine the laugh that would go
up on the other side of the channel
when the trick that had been played
upon me became known. But having
SO much else to think of, that fact,
you may be sure, did not trouble me
very much. There were two things,
however, about which 1 was particu-
larly anxious; one was to set myself
right with Miss Kitwater, and the
other was to get even, at any cost,
with Hayle. The first seemed the most
difficult.
1t must not be supposed that when
1 had alighted from the carriage had
1 given up all hope of escape. On the
contrary, had it not been for the pres
ence of three burly fellows, who imme-
diately took up their places beside me,
I fancy should have made dash for
liberty. Under the circumstances,
however, to have attempted such a
thing would have been the height of
folly. Five to one, that is to say, if
include the coachman in the num-
Der, with the gates closed behind me,
were too long odds, and however hard
/ might have fought, 1 could not pos
sibly have been successful.
Perhaps you will be kind enough to
step into the house." said Hayle.
'The air is cold out here, and 1 am
afraid lest you might take a chill"
Before complying with his order I
looked around me once more, to see
If there was any chance of escape. But
SO far as could see there was not
one. accordingly followed one of my
captors into the building, the re-
mainder bringing up the rear.
From what could see of the house
with the help of the light from soil
tary candle hanging in sconce upon
the wall, it had once been handsome
building. Now, however, it had fallen
sadly to decay. The ceiling of the hall
had at ono time been richly painted,
but now only blurred traces of the de-
sign remained. Crossing the hall, my
guide opened a door at the further end.
In obedience to request from Hayle,
entered this room, to find myself
standing in a fine apartment, SO far as
size went, but sadly lacking in COM
fort where it's furniture was con-
cerned. There was bed, table,
three rough chairs, and an entirely in.
adequate square of carpet upon the
floor. I have already said that it was
a large room, and when I add that it
was lighted only by two candles, which
stood upon the table in the center, some
idea will be formed of it's general
dreariness.
"Now, look here, Mr.. Hayle," said,
"the time has come for us to have a
serious talk together. You know as
well as do that in kidnapping me you
are laying yourself open toyeryserious
consequences. If you think that by so
doing you are going to prevent me
from eventually running you to earth,
you are very murh mistaken. You
have obtained a temporary advantage
over me, I will admit; but that adj
vantage will not last. Do not datter
yourself that it will"
81 am not SO sure upon that point"
said Hayle, lighting cigarette as he
spoke. IF did not think SO should
not have gone to all this trouble and
expense. But why make such fuss
about it? You must surely under
stand, Mr.. Fairfax, that your profess
sion necessarily entails risks. This is
one of them. You have been paid to
become my enemy. I had no personal
quarrel with you. You can scarcely
blame me, therefore, if I retaliate
when I have an opportunity. I don't
know what you may think of it, but
the mere fact of your dining with me
tonight is very likely to go hard with
you, so far as your clients are con-
cerned. Would it be good adver-
tisement for the famous George Fair
fax to have it known that, while he
was taking his clients money, he was
dining pleasantly in Paris with the
man they were paying him to find?
I, laid my trap for you,s but must
confess that I had not very much faith
in it's success. Your experience should
have made you more wary. IA stu
dent of human character, such as you
are, should have known that the
leopard cannot change his spots, or
the tiger his"
eff you continue in this strain much
longer" I said, "I'll endeavor to stop