The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-06-12
Stairs ST


1890 En1a
probably learned from the hangdog-
looking fellow you seem to take into
your confidence. He said that / was
an ex-convfct-or, rather, an escaped
convict, and a great deal more prob
ably to lend truth to his story"
Several times Ellison opened his
Ups to speak, but not a word came from
them.
That was what you wanted TO tell
me. q 1t not, and vet somehow the
words stuck? Well, that. is all there
Is to 1t. You should thank me for
haStng relieved your mind"
Unison was ~nonplussed at the cool.
ness OF the statement. Surely the
whole story must have been q lie, or
stnis man would not have carried 1t off
With such a brave air.
ask you how you daughter Tsp"
said Job.
She is well, thank you" replied the
other feebly, and he dropped into "a
from sheer fatigue, confident that
ne had played his best card and lost.
l am glad to hear it, for she must
nave suffered greatly through this ter
rlble affair. Once the young man is
Tree, lie will be free, won't he,
.oh, I suppose So" carelessly.
You don't seem to take much in
terest n case, my esteemed and
moral friend" and for a homer 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 ramem-
per that when I met you first Isstated
ma l was ! possession Of a. paper
showing that YOU had adopted the
daughter Of Martin Frale in order to
Keep the fortune In the family, in case
OF The death Of your wife"
"Yes--yes," and Ellison reused him
self and began to take a keen interest
IN the conversation.
y have that paper, which today
might Deprive Q Of every cent you
now call, your own. So I am, not with.
out reason, demanding thai what I
you to do shall. be DONE
Elilson WINGED at what seemed to
him such an insolent speech, but PRES
emily he rallied, and said, with q laugh:
Al that you tell me is very inter-
a page from one Of Monte
pins novels. I should very much like
70 see this document Of which you
SPEAK. n 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 lead. After he had settled the
paroxySm he turned around, facing the
banker. and said. pleasantly: And
50 YOU shall-so you shall. Of course,
! have no reason to make q demand on
you unless ! have the papers to back
my statement up"
Faison's eyes frightened, for, looking
past his visitors head. he saw a door
open a few inches at the further end of
the room, and part Of a face appear.
He made some signs. and while Job was
1umbl1ns in h pockets of his vest, a
man entered noiselessly and stepped be-
n n d ~ NS 50
which the table was placed where the
two 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
q 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
stained. stood up. and, leaning owe the
table. opened it. holding 1t in one hand,
/ while with the other, extended, he
seemed.tO be guarding his possession.
Here is he document IN the case,'
he said; you may look, but you must
MT touch" waving Ellison back. ''Sae
and read; there is no reason why you
should take 1t In your hands.
Ellison read the paper over, which,
from h signatures and the wording,
left no doubt of It's genuineness.
He sat back in his chair, and sighed,
saying. after a pause:
Eyes, there Is no doubt that you hold
me in the hollow Of your hand, with
tia document that I signed with Martin
Ffals nearly II years ago. Come closer
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 a hand reached out from
Behind the portiere over the closet
another in its place. and then a mar
emerged from his hiding. and slipped
out of the room without being heard
by the others, deep in whispered con
~yersation. 1t YVES only after he had
gone that Ellison suddenly rose, and
changing the calm tone in which he had
been speaking. brought his fist dowr
on the table with a bang
TITS no use. Mr.. What's-your-name
your attempting to bully me. I dom
believe in the existence Of the copy. OF
the agreement"
But you saw it before your eyes?"
IT saw anything of the kind
It laid it out before you. Here II
is." and, reaching over. be picked uI
Lie PdpSI lAdl Aa0 UtSIs piaC6O there
and opened 1T, while Ellison seemed tc
enjoy his surprise.
That terrifying document! Where
Is it?' he exclaimed. displaying a wild
h1lar1ty as Job opened the paper he
had picked up and showed that it was
blank. 5si
Now, then" harshly, what do you
NEAR to 70, you scoundrel? You
threaten me with III pieces of blank
paper"
Job Lao rerreated to the door. He
showed evidences Of fear ct the Others
vehemenoe.
1T was not a blank piece OF paper
that I showed you, Mr.. Ellison: it was
merely a copy OF the original. whict
your confederate gathered in. aId
which he is privileged to keep!" AND
then. with a laugh, he opened the fdooi
quickly and went out.
CHAPTER XIII.
' -Me TCn rn tAt LIE