Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1903-06-11
CHAPTER XII.
DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND.

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
certain dread of a man who seemed
to be SO utterly careless of his own
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 very DIFF
terent 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. shall be glad to hear
what you have to say" replied FL
lison, 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
dricks?" as with bow and court
ly gesture of his right hand, he mos
toned toward the open door. Job
bowed gently. and strobe past him
Into the room, where he selected the
most comfortable chair dropped into
1t with a sigh of relief, and waited
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 and 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
wit hit hi
casionally casting curious glance
at his visitor.
Didn't expect to see me, did your"
said Job Hendricks. after pause.
Il happened up to visit you the other
day at Exton, and found that YOU had
departed, bag and baggage, and had
left no address,"
II left one of course,-for my
friends" began Ellison, who had now
recovered some of his sang frcid
Then you don't count me among
your friends"
II can't say I do"
You will find that shall stick
closer to you than brother-not to say
friend, until I have had my way"
replied Job calmly. The speech seemed
to wake Ellison out of his lethargy, and
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.
Not at ALL"
II know who you are-certain things
have happened since we last met. l
know that have nothing to fear from
you.'
Then why so excited and Job COW
cred his mouth with a red hand as If
to conceal a smile. "You know all
about me, eh? / suppose you learned it
from the sneaking gentleman who just
came out of your room? Strange that
man of your apparent good sense
should put any confidence in the maun-
behring's of a hang-dog looking fellow
like that! Don't you see, man, that he
would not hesitate to lie If he thought
he could support his position and have
claim on your purse"
Ellison began to think that he had
been going ahead too rapidly. Job did
not seem to be afraid of anything-he
spoke confidently.
If you think that 1 am running
away through fear of you, you are
very much mistaken" he said, after a
moments pause. LAS for the informa
ton l have received, / believe it is
true"
He was surprised when Hendricks
leaned back in his chair and burst out
laughing. His laugh was so hearty
that for moment the other seemed
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 / 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
anything else, for he started away
form the window, and, shaking 8
warning finger at his visitor, said
You are an escaped convict, anC
as such amenable to the law. What
is there to prevent me from OPENING
the window and calling an officer anC
giving you in charge
Job shrugged his shoulders, ant
laughed softly
suit me If you want to do a foolish
action. BY all means, if it pleases
call out of the window, or from the
housetop for anyone you please"
Ellison for q moment eyed him III
amazement. Could the story he haG
heard about this man be true, or ha6
he been deceived. Certainly Job die
not behave like a man who was afrat
of being arrested, or OF anything else
The banker found himself confronted
by an enigma that. with all his knowl
loss how to solve.
You We're saying something abou
poking your head out of the window
and calling for policeman" said Job
who seemed to enjoy the others dis
comfiture. why didn't you think OF
1t a few moments earlier, when thai
young Jail bird was closeted with you p
Ellison din not reply at once for feal
he might make misstep. but bit hi.
his heel, walked away from the smiling
face Of the man he had thought he haC
no further reason to fear.
1.-THE young man Is still confined ii
jail and without bail. / will give yo,
the credit, Ellison, Of having done VIVA
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 O
grim irony.
Certainly you deserve the compli
ment, and it is not in me to withhold
1t from YOU"
Il thank you again.
And your daughter, what of her?'
asked job, after a moments silence.
What business have you" bega,
Ellison, but the other checked him b,
simple gesture.
You are not talking to the gallery
my dear SIR Then, in more decided
tone: James Ellison. why will 70,
persist in running your head against +;
rock? 1t won't hurt the rock, but i
might do damage to your cranial de
yelopment / know the tremendous
secret that was effervescing in you
The alleged secret about me that yo,
probably learned from the hangdog
looking fellow you seem to take int
your confidence. He said that l wa.
an ex-convict-or, rather, an escaped