Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1903-05-15
CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER. MI.
Early the next morning when
Warle went to his room the landlady
informed him that Franklin and a
companion had been there at three
o'clock in the morning seeking him.
He quoted her evident fears for his
safety and then admired his sagacity
in taking a 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 it 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 salts
fed him that he held safeguard
against the plot that had been laid to
steal fortune. He began to have
an inkling 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
donbly 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 course plans would be at once
laid to recover the paper, and Irving
OWNED the necessity of putting it i'm
mediately out of reach of the con
spirators.
1t was eight o'clock, and Mr.. Ev-
erett was just sitting down to his
breakfast.
Irving reached the house just al
this time, and when he was announced
the lawyer finished his meal in hur-
ry 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 it up in his safe.
ssNow,' said he, II must leave fol-
the courthouse, as I have case al
nine o'clock. Can you come here to
night?'
"Yes."
well, come about eight o'clock
And during the day avoid Hillsman il
you can, and if you run across Frank
lin bluff him out. I don't want to
see you about my Office. either"
Suppose they should ask me fol
that paper?''
why, remember that you were or
spree last night, and your recollec
ton Of anything that happened il
very indistinct. You will not be much
annoyed by Hillsman to-day, for il
will take him some time to sleep of
last nights experience. Be on YOU
guard against Franklin, and do no
give him any satisfaction.
AS matter of preceution, the TIVE
men separated at the gate to proven
if possible anyone from knowing tha'
they had met. Irving took a round
about way, and as he passed cor
ner not far from Mr.. Eyerett's resi-
dence he observed n man leaning idl,
against a lamp post. The mans ap
pearance was strangely familiar, ever
though he wore patch over his eye
Irving could not stop to dissect hi
makeup, and it was not until he ha,
got three or four blocks away tina
his memory responded, bringing bael
that dreadful experience on the river
and he recalled the powerful physique
and cat-like tread of Old Tom. A
soon as he made that discovery h,
retraccd his steps, but his antagonis
OF the river had gone.
At the Office he found note iron
Franklin requesting him to call upol
him as soon as he received it. 7,
this Irving at first concluded that h
would pay no attention, but h
thought better of it and went directl.
to franklin. He found that gentle
man engaged with Meriyale at TIL
time, but he was cordially invited in.
What j wanted to see you about,
said Franklin, was a paper whicl
that fool Hillsman stole from thi
office. Last night when l met YOU
MET me?' said Irving, in blanl
amazement.
well, perhaps you don't remembe
It," said the colonel, smiling, for
must confess you were very happ
last night when saw you. But, q
any rate, demanded the paper o
Hillsman. He denied having it at frs
but 7 think scared him pretty badlS