Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1903-06-13
Stairs Of


JO1t 11AaS $3.50
other feebly, and he dropped into a
chair from sheer fatigue, confident that
he had played his best card and lost.
II am glad TO hear ii, for she must
have suffered greatly through this ter
rible affair. Once the young man is
free. n he VIII be free, won't he,
E%llison?"
"Oh, 1 suppose So" carelessly.
You don't seem to take much in
terest in the case. my esteemed and
moral friend" and for a the
black y of the little man flashed.
Perhaps 1t might be necessary for
me to refresh your memory and stir
up a bit of enthusiasm. You remem-
Der that when / met you first I stated
that 1 was in possession of a paper
showing that you nae adopted the
daughter of Martin Frale in order to
Keep the fortune In the family, in case
OF the death of your WIFE,"
"1esEyes," and Ellison reused him.
self and began to take a keen interest
In the conversation.
Il have that paper, which today
might deprive you Of every cent you
now call your own. SO I am, not with
out reason, demanding that what I
ask you to do shall be done"
Ellison WINGED at what seemed to
him such an insolent speech, but pres
emily he rallied, and said, with a laugh:
All that you tell me is very inter-
e~sting-like a page from one OF Monte
pins novels. / should very much like
to see this document of which you
speak" and he leaned over the table,
his face all eagerness, while Job. at
that moment, seemed suddenly over
come with a cough, that caused him to
turn his head. After he had settled the
paroxysm he turned around, facing the
banker, and said, pleasantly: "And
SO you shall-so you shall. or course,
l have no reason to make q demand on
you unless 1 have the papers to back
my statement up"
Ellison's eyes frightened, for, looking
past his visitors head. he saw q door
open a few inches at the further end of
the room, n part Of a face appear.
He made some signs. and while Job was
fumbling In the pockets Of his vest, a
man entered noiselessly and stepped be-
hind the curtains OF a closet, against
which the table was placed where the
w were seated.
Ellison, keeping his eyes steadily fixed
on the little man, saw that he was still
trying to get at the paper, which he
had evidently concealed with extraor-
binary precautions.
He finally extracted what he was
looking for, and, opening the document,
which seemed to be old and time
SNSSaAhSN oNoOu up III lCdIllIlk oNeT llG
table, opened 1t, holding it in one hand,
while with the other, extended, he
seemed to be guarding his possession.
Here Is the document in the case"
he said; you may look, but you must
mt touch" waving Ellison back. See
and read; there is no reason why you
should take 1t In your hands"
Ellison e the paper over, which,
from the signatures and the wording,
left no doubt of It's genuineness.
He sat back in his chair, and sighed,
saying, after a pause:
yes, there is no doubt that you hold
me In the hollow Of your hand with
the document that 1 signed with Martin
Frale nearly II years ago. Come closer
n listen. l want you to hear some
thing that perhaps should be whispered,
FOR a hotel is all ears, as one might
say"
Job leaned forward to hear what this
revelation was. leaving the precious
document on the table. He had hardly
moved when q hand reached out from
behind the portiere over the closet.
took the paper quickly, substituting
another in It's place, and then a man
emerged from his hiding, and slipped
out of the room without being heard
by the others, deep in whispered con-
versation. It was only after he had
gone that Ellison suddenly rose, and
changing the calm tone in which he mad
been speaking, brought his fist down
on the table with a bang.
It's no use, Mr.. What's-your-name,
your attempting to bully me. 1 don't
believe in the existence Of the copy of
the agreement"
But o saw 1t before your eyes"
Il never saw anything Of the kind"
Il laid 1t out before you. Here 1t
u.s." and, reaching over, he picked up
the paper that had been placed there
n opened it, while Ellison seemed to
enjoy his surprise.
THAT terrifying document! Where
is it?" he exclaimed, displaying a wild
hilarity as Job opened the paper he
had picked up and showed that it was
blank.
Now, then" harshly, what do you
mean to 20, o s~coundrel? You
threaten me with your pieces of blank
PAPER"
Job had retreated to the door. He
showed evidences Of fear at the others
vehemence.
ut vas not a blank piece Of paper
that l showed you, Mr.. Ellison; it was
merely a copy of the original, which
your confederate gathered in, and
which he is privileged to. keep" and
then, with a laugh, he opened the door
quickly II went out.