Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1903-09-30
Mystery Of the
Bayou Woods
BY WALKER KENNEDY.
CHAPTER XII.-CONTINUED.

CHAPTER XII.-CONTINUED.
At the Office he found note from
Franklin requesting him to call upon
him as soon as he received it. To
this Irving at first concluded that he
would pay no attention, but he
thought better of it and went directly
to Franklin. He found that gentle
man engaged with Merivale at the
time, but he was cordially invited in.
What ] wanted to see you about"
said Franklin, was a paper which
that fool Hillsman stole from this
office. Last night when 1 met you"
Met me?' said Irving, in blank
amazement.
We'll, perhaps you don't remember
it." said the colonel, smiling, for [
must confess you were very happy
last night when I saw you. But, at
any rate, [ demanded the paper of
Hillsman. He denied having it at first,
but I think [ scared him pretty badly,
and after you had gone he said he
had given it to you. Have you got
the paper?"
II have not What was the nature
of it?''
1T is of no Importance, the nature
of it. You have not seen the paper?"
Possibly | have seen it, but as you
Z have not told me what it is"
L thought at the time that fellow
was lying, and that he thought of you
as shield for himself
rs this all you wanted to see me
about?" said Irving, with apparent
disappointment.
"Oh, by the way, you did not spend
the night at your rooms?"
No said Irving, indifferently.
How was that?''
See here, colonel, doesn't it occur
to you that you are taking d vast deal
of interest in my affairs?"
well, you see, like you, Warde."
Thanks"
"And you might find it to your in
terest to know something about the
paper
1T is valuable, then?"
Are you sure you don't know any
thing about the paper?"
Bother the paper! Why, if I had
it in my pocket now, do you suppose
that [ would give it to you without
having a description of it?''
I'm sorry that you can't help me
about it, as it is of great Importance
to some friends of mine.''
by the way" said Irving, lis there
any news in the Wright case?"
The colonel looked at him penetrat-
ingly for a moment and then replied:
10 r O,,t Of -
case
AZ thought you took deep interest
in it on account of the family
& think L ought to ask you the
news about it,
Its trifie stale, now, but [ sup
pose the people will wake up when
the trial begins. Have you any idea
what the line of defense will be?''
''None whatever. In fact Other.
business of a very important charac-
ter has occupied all my attention of
late"
During this conversation Merivale
yawned repeatedly and looked inn
mensely bored as if he wished Wardc
would 60 and give him an opportunity
to resume business with Franklin. He
toyed with a newspaper for while
impatiently, and somehow Irving re-
ceiyed the impression that this i'm
patience was largely assumed for the
occasion.
At last Warde left the two men
alone. They looked at each other in
silence. Then Merivale spoke with a
sneering laugh: THAT young man
has outwitted you completely, Frank
lin. He has your paper put away
safe, probably it is in Everet6's pos
session. And there is another thing
that is perfectly apparent that
young fellow was as sober last night
as you are this minute. It is now
ten o'clock. We know that he was in
his room at eight, and at Everett's
shortly after, and there is not the
faintest sign of dissipation about him.
I'm surprised that you have allowed
yourself TO be so easily deceived.
: Well, / have advanced considerable
money to you to carry out this enter
prise, and have asked no questions
regarding the way it was expended;
but tell you now l must have some
yesaIts"