Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1903-12-17

~ 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 II up in his safe.
NOW" said he, II must leave for
the courthouse. as | 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 If
you can. and il you run across Frank
lin bluff him out | don't want to
see YOU about my Office. either"
"suppose they should ask me for
that paper?"
why. remember that you were on
a spree last night, and your rccollec-
ton of anything that happened is
very indistirct. You will not be much
ANNOYED by IIillsman to-day. for it
will take him some time to sleep off
last nights experience. BE on your
guard against Franklin, and do not
give him any satisfaction"
As a matter of precaution. the two
men separated at the gate to prevent
if possible anyone from knowing that
they had met. Irving took a round
about way. and as he passed "a cor
ner not far from Mr. Everctt's resi-
dence he observed man leaning idly
against a lamp post. The mans APP
pearance was strangely familiar, even
though he wore patch over his eye.
Irving could not stop to disscct his
makeup. and il was not until he had
got three or four blocks away that
his memory responded, bringing back
that dreadful experience on the river.
and he recalled the powerful physique
and cat-like tread Of Old Tom. As
soon as he made that discovery he
retraced his steps, but his antagonist
of the river had gone.
At the office he found a note from
Franklin requesting him 10 call upon
him as soon as he received it, To
this Irving at first concluded that he
would pay no attention. but he
thought better of it and went directly
to Franklin. lie found that gentle
man engaged with Merivale at the
time, but he was cordially invited in.
What wanted to see you about"
said Franklin. was a paper which
that fool Hillsman stole from this
office. Last night when met you--"
"Met me?" said Irving. in blank
Amusement.
well, perhaps you don't remember
It," said the colonel, smiling. for
must confess YOU were very happy
last night when | saw you. But, at
any rate. | demanded the paper of
Hillsman. lie denied having it al first.
but think scared him pretty badly
and after you had gone he said he
had given it to you. Have you got
the paper?'
II have not. WHAT was the nature
of it?"
ut is of no Importance. the nature
of it. You have not seen the paper?"
"Possibly | have seen it, but as you
have not told me what il is--'
Il thought at the time that fellow
was lying. and that he thought of you
as shield for himself"
is this all you wanted to see me
about ." said Irving, with apparent
disappointment.
"Oh, by the way, you did not spend
the night 1T your rooms?"
NO" said Irving, indifierently.
"Ho w was that"
See here, colonel. doesn't it occur
to you tina: you are taking vast deal
of interest in my affairs?"
We'll. you see, like you, Warde."
"Thanks."
And you might find il to your in
tcrest to know something about the
paper"
at is valuable, them"
"Are you sure you don't know any
thing about The paper?'
Bother the paper! Why. if had
il in my pocket now, do you suppose
that | would give it to You without
having a description of it,"
'I'm sorry that you can't help me
about it. as it is of great Importance
to some friends of mine"
"By the way" said Irving, lis there
any news in the Wright case?"
The colonel looked AT him penetrat-
ingly for moment and then replied;
"Why do you ask? / am out of the
case"
81 though, you took deep interest
in it on account of the family"
81 think ought to ask you the
news about it,"
IT'S tritle stale, now. but l sup
pose the people will wake up when
the trial begins. Have you any idea
what the line Of defense viii be-"
None whatever. In fact other
business of very important charac-
ter has occupied all my attention of
late"
During this conversation Mcrivale
yawned repeatedly and looked inn
nenseIy bored. as if he wished Wardc
would go and give him an opportunity
TO resume business with Franklin. He
toyed with "A newspaper for while
lmpatitntly, and somehow Irving re-
ceived the impression that this inn
patience was largely assumed for the
occasion.
AT last Warde left the two sen
alone. They looked at each other in
silence. Then Merivale spoke with a
steering laugh: THAT young man
has outwitted YOU completely. Frank
I'm. He has your paper put away
safe; probably il is in Eyerett's pos
session. And there is another thing
that is perfectly apparent that
young fellow was as sober last night
as You are this minute. II is now
ten o'clock We know that he was i'm