Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-06-13
CHAPTER XII.
DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND.

70 To- ~ 10 CoolAy ihONGd VI 0uI
prised, but the sight Of Hendricks
standing there, calm and smiling-the
very person he had been discussing
with his agent-for a moment dis
concerted him. He began to experience
a certain dread of a man who seemed
to be so utterly careless of his own
safety. So he stood for a moment
staring at his visitor IN puzzled amaze
ment. He observed that Job had
trimmed his beard, was better dressed,
and otherwise changed. In short, he
was In general appearance a very diff
ferent looking man than when they
had met before.
We'll, I suppose you are not too
busy to see me?" said Hendricks,
who seemed to enjoy the others dis
comfiture.
Certainly. I shall be glad to hear
what you have to say" replied Ell
nson, quick to recover from his tenn
porary torpor, wishing at the same
time that his visitor was in a place
not mentioned In polite society.
BE pleased TO walk In, Mr.. Hen
dricksf" as with a bow and a court
ly gesture Of his right hand, he mo-
toned toward the open door. Job
bowed gently, and strobe past him
into the room, where he selected the
most comfortable chair, dropped into
~ "ANAA oA6h Vi ASlACLg oiu VII
for the other to speak. He saw that
his host as he closed the door was
still disturbed In mind, and that he
was struggling to appear at least
cool n collected as his guest, who
certainly did not display the slight
est embarrassment.
Ellison did not sit down, for he
seemed to feel too nervous. and con-
tinued to walk up and down the
room. twisting his gray mustache
with his thin white fingers and oc-
c~asionally casting a curious glance
at his visitor.
Didn't expect to see me, did your"
said Job Hendricks, after a pause.
II happened up to visit you the other
day at Exton, and found that you had
departed, bag and baggage, and had
left no address,"
IT left one Of course,-for my
friends" began Ellison, who had now
recovered some Of his a froid.
Then you don't count me among
your friends"
II can't say / do"
You will find that I shall stick
closer to you than q brother-not to say
a friend, until / have had my way"
replied Job calmly. The speech seemed
to wake Ellison out of his lethargy, apd
he came over to the place where Job
was seated and glared at him with
flashing eyes.
"Do you mean to threaten me-" he
clustered.
mot at ALL"
Il know who you are-certain things
have happened since we last met. I
know that I have nothing to fear from
YOU"
"Then why so excited" and Job COW
cred his mouth with q red hand as II
to conceal a smile. you know all
about me-, eh? 1 suppose you learned it
from the sneaking gentleman who just
came out of your room2 Strange that
n man Of your apparent good sense
should put any confidence in the maun-
behring's Of a hang-dog looking fellow
Ike that! Don't you see, man, that he
would not hesitate to lie If he thought
| he could support his position and have
a claim on YOU purse"
Ellison began to think that he had
been going ahead too rapidly. Job did
not seem to be afraid Of nightingale
spoke confidently.
IF you think hat I am running
away through fear OF you, you are
very much mistaken" he said, after a
moments pause. LAS for the informa-
ton I have received, ] believe it is
true"
He was surprised when Hendricks
leaned back in his chair and burst out
iou6lliii6s LIE laugh was 81 hearty
that for q momen the other seemed
disconnected and strobe away to the
window to try and collect his thoughts
by staring out on the street.
II should very much like to know
what your secret bureau (and 1 have
reason to know that you have one)
thinks about me. Any information on
the subject cheerfully received, as they
say when they advertise for missing
heirs" And Hendricks laughed again.
His manner, his hooking tone,
seemed to anger Ellison more than
anything else, for he started away
form the window, and, shaking a
warning finger at his visitor, said:
You are IN escaped convict, and
as such amenable to the law. What
Is there to prevent me from opening
the window and calling an officer and
giving you in charge"
Job shrugged his shoulders, and
laughed softly.
II don't see why you should con-
suit me If you want to do O foolish
action. BY all means, If 1t p~leases,
call out Of the window, or from the
housetop for anyone you please"
Ellison for a moment eyed him in
hmazement. Could the story he had
heard about this mar be true, or had
he been deceived. Certainly Job did
not behave like a man who was afraid
Of being arrested, or of anything else.
The banker found himself confronted
by an enigma that, with all his knowl-
edge Of men and things, he was at a
loss how to solve.
You were saying something about
poking your head out of the window
and calling for q policeman" said Job,
who seemed to enjoy the others dis
comfiture. why didn't you think of
1t q few moments earlier, when that
young jail bird was closeted with you? 2"
Ellison dia not reply at once for fear
he might make a misstep, but bit his
lips to hide his chagrin and turned on
his heel, walked away from the smiling
face Of the man he had thought he had
no further reason to fear.
1.-THE young man is still confined In
Jail and without bail. l will give Won
the credit, Ellison, of having done what
you could to set him free" said Job.
pursuing another subject.
II ought to be very much Obliged"
and the banker bowed with an air Of
grim irony.
Certainly you deserve the ompli-
ment, and It is not in me to withhold
1t from you"
II thank you again."
And your daughter, what Of herr"
asked Job, after a moments silence.
What business have you began
Ellison, but the other checked him by
a simple gesture.
You are not talking to the gallery,
my dear sir" Then, in q more decided
tone: James Ellison, why will you
persist in running your head against a
rock? 1t won't hurt the rock, but II
might do damage to your cranial de-
velopment. 1 know the tremendous
secret that was effervescing in you.
The alleged secret about me that you
probably learned from the hangdog-
looking fellow you seem to take into
your confidence. He said that I was
an ex-convict-or, rather, an escaped
convict, n a great deal more prob
ably to LEM truth to his story
Several times Ellison opened his