Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1903-06-03
CHAPTER XII.


Warde went to his room the landlady
informed him that Franklin and q
companion had been there at three
o'clock in the morning seeking him.
He quieted her evident fears for his
safety and then admired his sagacity
in taking q room at the hotel that
night.
Now he began to find the possession
OF that paper nightmare. He knew
that tremendous pressure and re-
sources, which he could not antici-
pate, would be brought to bear to
wrest 1t from him, and thus prevent
Its being used to save the Wright es-
tate; for the perusal Of the paper
which Hillsman had handed him satis-
fed him that he held safeguard
against the plot that had been laid to
steal fortune. He began to have
an mixing of the nature of the COM
bination which had been formed, and
he was much concerned lest the paper
which was worth SO much to the
Wrights should be in some way filched
from him. He felt that he was MAX
ing this fight for Miriam, and he was
doubly concerned over the result. He
knew that the paper meant home and
fortune to her; it meant also perhaps
the happiness that had been SO long
denied her; and it would secure the
triumph Of justice over deliberate
yillainy.
OF eourse plans would be at once
laid to recover the paper, and living
OWNED the necessity of putting it inn
mediately out Of reach of the con-
spirators.
It was eight o'clock, and Mr.. Ev-
erett was just sitting down to his
breakfast.
Irving reached the house just at
this time, and when he was announced
the lawyer finished his meal in hur-
~ and at once led the way to the
library. Here the story was soon told
and the paper handed over to the
lawyer, who locked il up in his safe.
Now" said he, II must leave for
the courthouse, as I have case at
nine o'clock. Can you come here to-
night?"
"Yes."
"Well, come about eight o'clock.
And during the day avoid Hillsman II
you can, and If you run across Frank
lin bluff him out. I don't want to
zee you about my office, either"
Suppose they should ask me for
that paper?"
"Why, remember that you were on
spree last night, and your recollec-
ton of anything that happened is
very indistinct. You will not be much
annoyed by Hillsman to-day, for It
will take him some time to sleep of
last nights experience. Be on your
guard against Franklin, and do not
give him any satisfaction"
AS matter of precaution, the two
men separated at the gate to prevent.
II possible anyone from knowing that
they had met. Irving took o round
about way, and rs he passed cor
ner not far from Mr.. Everett's resi-
dence he observed man leaning idly
against lamp post. The mans APP
pearance was strangely familiar, even
though he wore patch over his eye.
Irving could not stop to disseot his
makeup, and it was not until he had
got three or four blocks away that
bis memory responded, bringing back
that dreadful experience on the river,
and he recalled the powerful physique
and cat-like tread Of Old Tom. Az
soon as he made that discovery he
retraced his steps, but his antagonist.
NJ the river had gone.
At the Office he found q note from
Franklin requesting him to call upon
him as soon ss he received 1t. To
this Irving at first concluded that he
would pay no attention, but he
thought better Of 1t and went directly
10 Franklin. He found that gentle
man engaged with Merivale Of the
time, but he was cordially invited in.
"What I wanted to see you about,
said Franklin, twas paper which
that fool Hillsman stole from this
office. Last night when I met you
"Met me2" said Irving, In blank
amazement.
swell, perhaps you don't remember
L." said the colonel, smiling. "&or I
must confess you were very happy
last night when saw you. But, at
any rate, demanded the paper Of
Hillsman. he denied having 1t at drst,
but think scared him pretty badly.
and after you had gone he said he
had given it to you. Have you got
the paper7"
IT have not. What was the nature
Of it?"
at is Of no Importance, the nature
Of It. You have not seen the paper?"
Possibly have seen 1t, but as you
have not told me what 1t is"
II thought at the time that fellow
was lying, and that he thought Of you
ss o shield for. himself"
'.Is this al xa2 wanted To Gee mo