Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1903-07-23
CHAPTER Ill,

coming habit. l have stunned liquoi
oil my life till Of late, and now ! an
conscious of a growing taste, craving
thirst for brandy. 1 need its fire at my
heart to carry my schemes to a success
full end. And will succeed or perish
A tapping at the door again.
Hammond opened a drawer of hi,
desk, took from it revolver, exam
ined 1t closely, then laid 1t upon thu
table and threw newspaper over 1t.
"If an enemy-and have many yer!
daring ones in this world" he NUT
tered. II shall not be taken off E1)
guard. Come in" he continued sharply
Daniel opened the door, and thu
stranger entered with a stride tina
swung him fully yard into the II
brary.
Hammond gave one keen glance n.
the stranger. and then said to Daniel:
go as I directed
Daniel departed, and Hammond
I turned to the stranger, whose cloa)
and hat still muffled his visage.
. "You seem to fear recognition" sal,
Hammond, quietly dropping into I
chair, so that the table was betwaeI
! him and the stranger, but with hi;
right hand resting upon the hidder
pistol.
"Do you think I fear it FROM"
"Speak that name. and you die, JohI
Marksw exclaimed Hammond, snatch
Ing forth the pistol like lightning, and
levelling it full in the strangers face
as the latter spoke and let fall his
cloak.
John Marks dark and weather
bronzed face grew a shade paler az
| Hammond spoke, but he said:
"Fire! and lose friend to gain 6
hangman. Luke Hammond. since yoI
love the name: and by Jove, you seen
to have thrived under it,"
"What foul breeze has blown Johr
Marks TO New York;" said Hammond
"a rowing breeze, that puffs his pock
cts like blown-up bladders, and fill!
them with emptiness, Luke" said
John Marks. showing two rows OF
splendid teeth. II want money, ole
comradc. Put that three-decker of {
pistol aside. 1t makes my flesh creep
to have 1t pointed this way
money is very valuable" said Ham
mond. what have you to give in ex
change for it?'
"a warming Luke" said Marks.
"a warning"
"Ill sell it to you for five hundred
dollars, no less" said Marks.
II pledge my word to pay 1t If thu
warning is worth so much
agreed; for If you don't pay I car
make more elsewhere. But came t.
you first, since you and l have worked
/ together in days gone by" said Marks
"Out with the warning: my time is
valuable" cried Hammond.
The little bell was shaking terribly
Something was going wrong in the
crimson chamber.
You had wife once, you know.
Luke"
"Yes-shn died, go on" said Ham
mond. visibly agitated.
II know. friend Luke" continued
| Marks, with grin, that you have haf
two wives. Your second wife died.
all right; women must die as well q.
men, you know. Yes, the mother Of
your son Charles died-died as Mrs
Luke Hammond. But your first wife
you know-she didn't die"
you may say she died, Luke. Yor
have Il good reason to say so.' said
9 Marks. But your first wte's sister
you remember her: Well she say;
your first wife was murdered"
| Hammond grew dcathly pale, and hi
: eyes glared at Marks.
Murdered" whispered Hammond.
"That's the word. Luke; and she say:
you are the murderer"
'She says. Where is she, join
Marks?
''In New York. And Luke, she Is ,
terrible woman-tierce as tiger, Gun
ming as fox, patient as a spider. Sh'
| thinks you are in America, somewhere
and she has sworn to have your life."
Does she suspect that Luke Ham
mond is her dead sisters husband? :?
gasped Hammond, very picture Of
terror.
mot yet. She has heard Of Lux
Hammond, however, said Marks
"and Harriet Foss is like blood
hound on the scent. Once on you
trail, and before you dream of DANCE,
she will have her knife in your throat.
'Truc," said Hammond. "And now
Marks, If you will prove to me within
three days that Harriet Foss is dead
these five hundred dollars l now civ,
you shall be made five thousand"
"Speak plainly. Luke Hammond
said Marks.
what need, when you already un
derstand my meaning" said Hammond
Marks grew whittier than lie did wheI
the pistol was at his face, and for
moment seemed ready to fly,
luke" said he, at length, II an
no saint. you know, and there are RET
spots on this hand Of mine, III
stretched forth the lean, sinewy hand
"but there are no stains of woman
blood on 1t. l will not raise my han'
against Harriet Foss, but | will plac
her in your power
"You are splitting hairs. as the say