The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-07-24
CHAPTER XIII.
THE FACE OF THE FOE.

THE FACE OF THE FOE.
Job Hendricks scrambled to his feet
and looked up at the roof of the build
ing he had escaped from but few
moments before. He could distinguish
a number of dark. moving objects
bearing lights. The police had brought
with them to prosecute the
search, and some. lying at full length,
were peering down over the parapet of
the building into the gloomy depths
below.
Job did not move, honing to escape
observation in the shadows, and pres
emily he heard one of the men above
saying confidently:
THE poor wretch must have tried to
climb down. and fell and killed hisself."
Job waited to hear more but it was
not forthcoming. Evidently the COM
rades of the man who had made this
statement believed as he did that the
object OF their search had escaped
them After q time they slowly dis
persed. and the light no longer twink led
from the roof above.
Nov or never is the time to get out
OF this" Job muttered to himself They
are making for the street to make suro
that I am dead, and, finding no sign
OF the remains. will probably renew
the search"
Making his way carefully along the
edge Of the roof, he was overjoyed
presently to come upon a fire escape,
which, though rusted with age and
broken enabled him to make his way
down to the street. Feeling sure that
tho front of the hotel must be guarded
he chose to take the opposite direction.
Hearing the sound Of steps approach
ing, he paused for a moment in the
shadow of the factory, to see with
whom he had to deal. The man had
come out Of one Of the doors of the
hotel, and as for a moment the light
fell on his face, Job recognized him as
the individual who had planned the
ambush to secure possession Of the pa
per. He made his way along with an
unsteady gait, as if he had not fully
recovered from his experience, or the
narcotic effects of the ring
Evidently the police had no further
use for a man whom they believed had
humbugged them, and SO had permit
ted him to go his way, little caring
what became of him.
Job was not sorry to see his quon-
dam enemy, and after watching his
unsteady progress for a while, resolved
to go and follow him. For this per-
sonage interested him strangely, and
he was not yet done racking his brains,
hoping to find out in what important
crisis they had once figured together,
Ellison. half supplied. stumbled, on
like man in a dream. He did not
look back to see whether he y s. fol-
lowed or not. Now and then he would
raise his head sleepily and stare
around, as If to make sure where he
was
Hendricks was glad to remain I'M
noticed. for, after the exertions he had
made in escaping. he was not prepared
for fresh encounter with any one
Arrived at the corner of the street,
Ellison paused in a dazed kind Of way,
as II he were looking for a carriage,
little thinking that such luxuries were
scarce in such a locality.
Job had meantime taken up his
stand in nearby doorway. Under the
circumstances it was not likely that
he would be noticed.
II wonder what next?" he heard
Ellison nutter; then, with a silly
laugh: II suppose shall be able to
square myself with the police should
1 happen to be in the neighborhood
again. Oh, dear!" with groan, Il
suppose I shall have to foot it home
unless have the luck to strike a
seem to be anything on wheels in this
cursed neighborhood," then swaying
for a moment unsteadily on the curb,
he drew himself together, and went
lurching forward on his way with Job
at his heels.
1t was long journey they made
together, and Job was heartily glad
that they met no vehicle on the road,
for he had no desire for a run in his
tired condition. He was still worrying
his brains trying to recall where he
had seen this man before, and ever the
search eluded him.
Time to acknowledge that you are
getting to be an old man." he NUT
tered to himself, "since you can't re-
member where you had dealings with
this person in the past-and he
played a mighty important part in
your life. too
Ellison had turned in a northerly
direction, and was making his way
along as If half asleep. and anxious
to be home and in bed. He apparent
ly had given up all hopes Of getting
a carriage.
They had reached the uptown resi-
dental district Of the west side Of the
city, when Ellison suddenly turned to
the right, passed down a narrow
street, and paused before door set
In a white wall. and began to tumble
in his pocket for a key.
AS he stood there with the light
of a street lamp shining upon his
Lace. JOD f1elQFlckS, OIL IN the SQdQ-
ows. suddenly clasped his hands to-
gether as if trying to conceal his
emotion.
Can it be possible" he muttered.
Why, my poor old wits must have
been wool-gathering all this time not
to have recognized him before this!
1t is none other than the man who led
me on-my old enemy, who found
me when was starving, and who
tempted me into SHINING, and, to save
himself, helped to send me to prison
to languish half a lifetimeI''
AS these bitter thoughts surged
through his mind, unable longer to
control the hatred the sight Of this
man had summoned up, he ran for
ward with outstretched hands as if
bent on summary vengeance for
his sufferings and wrongs. But be-
fore he had reached the gate or door
In the wall. Ellison, all unconscious
Of danger, had slipped through and
closed 1t behind him.
Job arrived just in time to see his
enemy disappear among the shrub
berry OF the garden. He turned away