Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1903-03-28
wyer replied. with a smile.

II TtDlleO, with a smile.
| 81 may be dead by that time" re-
| piled. Certainly il l must be the tar
| get for every assassin's bullet, INV
| coffin might as well be ordered now
| Saying which. ] took my own pistol
| from my pocket. You see that? Well.
1t means that after this I'll be as handy
| with pistol as others are"
Mr.. Sonntag eyed me rather sus-
| piciously, as though not at all certain
| but that l would level the weapon at
1 him.
| Those things are dangerous. Mr.
| Conway, and are liable to go off without
! warning" he remarked. dryly, after l
had returned the pistol to my pocket.
| "Yes, | know that. And if there
should be occasion for it to go off in my
hand. you may be sure it will be for
the purpose of hitting something. l
believe my peace is threatened, if not
| my life. How do know but what that
| cellar under my room has been used,
| maybe is being used. for some criminal
| purpose? II that is true, my arrival
in Jacksonville and taking up my abode
| right in the midst of hidden crime
would naturally prevent any contin-
uance of operations, and endanger the
secret. 1 believe that attempts are
being made to cause me to leave; if
] mysterious demonstrations cannot ac-
complish it by frightening me, then
the purpose is to remove me by death"
| There may be something in what
you say" Sonntag remarked, after a
moments thought. But promise me
| you will not attempt to shoot the sta
| ton agent" he added, with deep ear
| uestness.
| What? Make no defense against
his cowardly attacks?" 1 exclaimed, in
amazement at my lawyers request.
HE will not repeat it, you may be
sure. At least promise To defer re-
| taliation until tomorrow"
| And get shot in the meantimei"
| No. L said it would not happen
| again"
Just let me get my hands on him.
| I'll choke the life out of him." was the
only reply l made.
, "Oh, yes; that's all right. Choke him
| all you want to, but please. Mr.. Con-
| way, no shooting. L don't mind tell
| ing you that any headstrong course on
| your part may upset a few well-laid
| plans for your own good, which give
| promise now of fruitful results Wait
until tomorrow. You shall know all
then, promise you
1t is impossible to convey by words
| the seriousness of my lawyers manner
in making these remarks.
When ! was conversinp with Mr..
Sonntag there was something about
him which compelled me to feel trust
land confidence, Notwithstanding his
1 many sayings bearing on some secre;
I purpose which he was so careful not
/ to reveal.
well, give up trying to make you
, out" said, after considering his
| words and being impressed by them.
You certainly are the most inexplica-
| bic specimen of a country lawyer
Who are you, anyhow"
Your lawyer and agent and, Mr..
Conway, let me add, in sincerity, your
| friend"
Somehow L could not but believe him
at the thine. His words carried convic-
ton.
Pardon me for seeming imperti-
| nent," Sonntag said, as he accompanied
Morley since your arrival2"
Yes"
And everything is all right?"
I YES"
You intend marrying her?"
Il have her fathers consent"
"Ah! l congratulate you"
Sonntag extended his hand and
smiled But the smile died away imme-
diately, and the expression which fol-
lowed strangely disturbed me Was it
sorrow? For what? Or was it pity?
Surely not pity for me!
\ / went from the office resolved to fol-
| low my lawyers advice just this once.
1 Tomorrow was not far distant, and
would know all then. Wondering very
much what this all would prove TO be,
Astarted on my five-mile walk homeward.
! Fortunately, l encountered Sarah,
| who had driven to Twineburgh 20 DO
some trading, and who was just climb
ing into her wagon as came up.
Hello, Sarah l called, as she was
about to take up the lines ''Will you
give me a lift?"
She looked around in surprise, then
expressed her pleasure at seeing me
again as L cnInDed up beside her.
AS we were crossing the track at Sid
ington, 1 was considerably surprised to
see the station agent at work on the
platform handling some freight. The
fellow really seemed to be ubiquitous.
had encountered him in Jacksonville,
in Sonntag's Office, and now again at
the station attending to his duties.
His back was toward us and he did
not notice the wagon and it's occupants
Sarah pulled up the team at my re-
quest and 1 climbed down from the |
wagon. l was curious to note again
what effect my presence would have on
the fellow. When I had moved some
distance from the team (for did not
propose to endanger Sarah's life in
case he took it into his head to fire at
me again), placing my hand on my re-