The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1903-07-03
CHAPTER XIV.
THE BLACK COUPE.


writer of the lines was more of a
shadow than man." Persons in his
peculiar walk of life were not in
clined to use figures of speech.
81 see you think I'm talkin' foolish
ness" said Jebbs, noticing the puz-
zled look on his hosts face.
Job nodded gloomily.
"Well, I'm not having fun with We,
I tell We. If 1 amt mistook in the
writer of that er queer dockerment,
shadder would be easier to lay
hands on than him."
Hendricks shifted contemptuously,
but did not interrupt, for he was
far too much interested in getting
at the truth of the matter to delay
his companion.
"Yes, SIR" continued Jebbs, 81 amt
tellin' we no lie. Where he lives no
one knows. He's here to-day and gone
tomorrow. He has a finger in all
the best pies, and then slips away
until another promisin' job is to the
fore. They has anxious times over
him at headquarters, but never can
get Their hands on him. He turns up
when he's least expected. There's
many that works for him that never
seen his face. He lodges here and
there and everywhere. He is
shadow, for none of the people know
his real name, and so it's The
Shadow they calls him."
Job, after a moments thought, took
small roll of bills out of his peck
ct, and taking three fves from the
top. spread them on the table, re-
storing the roll to his coat again.
There's for the present. I am
glad to know that he is occasionally
heard from. When you next learn
of his whereabouts let me know, and
you shall have five hundred dollars
that is if your story is true.''
The other stuck the money away
in his coat and winked expressively.
"Mebbe by the time let you know
his stand, likes not he would skip
fore We got there said he.
'.I'll run the risk-fnd out who he
is. He is one man here, and another
there, but 1 want to lay him by the
heels" and his face darkened over.
what for-what for-?" and
for a moment Jebbs eagerly leaned
forward. Hendricks pushed him back
with an oath, and strobe over to the
window, where he stood for a mo-
ment looking out on the garden.
Then he turned, and, walking back,
laid his hand on the others arm.
"You. ought to know me by repu-
tation,. that I don't allow any one
to pry into my business"
eyes," and the other WINGED un-
der the shine of the bright eyes
that seemed searching his very soul.
Job took the haggard face in his
hands and examined it keenly, as if
he were examining a bit of bricabra
searching for the hidden mark of
the potter Then he removed his
hands and turned away, walking, up
and down the limits of the little
room.
I'm not sure whether 1 can trust
you or not. But you ought to know
that have a way of rewarding those
who serve me well, and of making it
very unhealthy for those who de-
ceive me-
"Yes-1-know that" replied Jebbs,
crouching back, as if he feared his
companion.
"There, there" and Hendricks pat
ted him on the shoulder; 81 don't
want to brighten you when there is
no necessity for it.. Don't make it
necessary for me to be harsh with
you. Now tell me, has this ghost of
a man been heard of lately?"
"Oh, yes" frightening up since the
storm had passed. cit was him that
had'a hand in that affair on Fifth
avenue the other night; that, we
think, was handled like one of his
jobs''
"And you would know him if you
saw him?"
"Bless We, seen him onc't. but he's
a masterful actor and makes up for
any part he means to play"
"Hum!" and Job continued his pac-
ing up and down the room. He was
to feel that the task he
had before him was not a light one,
to carry it out to success? you are
no friend of this man?" he asked, as
if not entirely free from suspicion of
his guest.
mo; 1 don't know as anybody is
Ye see, it's. this way When he has
a plan of work on hand, why he
sends for the men he wants; and
they meets him wherever he happens
to fix. 1 guess few ever see him
lookin' his real self. but a bit O.
writin' fell into my hands 1 knew to
be his, and it was main like that piece
you showed me. I KEEP it cause it
was SO queer, and amt likely never
to forget it."
''Well, you have done me a service
I'll remember, too," said Hendricks
heartily. "Now. remember. if YOU