The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1903-06-12
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~ oDtiDly learned from the nanSuOS-
looking fellow you seem to take into
an eN-convict-or, rather, an escaped
convict, and a great deal more prob
ably to lend truth to his story
Several times Ellison opened his
lips to speak, but not word came from
them.
THAT was what you wanted to tell
me, was it not, and yet somehow the
words stuck? Well, that is. all there
is to it. You should thank me for
having relieved your mind.
Ellison was nonplussed at the cool
ness of the statement. Surely the
whole story must have been lie, or
this man would not have carried it off
with such brave air.
Il ask you how your daughter is?'
said job
She is well, thank you replied the
other feebly, and he dropped into
chair from sheer fatigue, confident that
he had played his best card and lost.
Il am glad to hear it, for she must
r1ble affair Once the young man is
free, and he will be free, won't he
Ellison?"
oh, I suppose so,' careless!y.
You don't seem to take much in
terest in the case. my esteemed and
moral friend" and for moment the
black eye Of the little man flashed
Perhaps it might be necessary for
me to refresh your memory and stir
up a bit of enthusiasm. You renem-
Der that when I met you first I stated
that was in 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.
Il have that paper which today
might deprive you of every cent you
now call your own. So, am, not with
out reason, demanding that what I
ask you to do shall be done'
Ellison WINGED at what seemed to
him such an insolent speech, but pres
emily he rallied, and said, with a laugh:
All that you tell me is very inter-
esting-liSe a page from one Of Monte
pins novels. I should very much like
to see this document of which you
speak" and 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 head. After he had settled the
paroXysm he turned around, facing the
banker, and said, pleasantly: And
so you shall-so you shall. OF course,
l have no reason to make a demand on
you unless I have the papers to back
my statement up"
Efl1son's eyes Frightened for, looking
past his visitors head. he saw a door
open few inches at the further end of
the room, and part of a face appear
He made some signs, and while Job was
fumbling in the pockets of his vest, q
man entered noiselessly and stepped be-
hind the curtains of a closet, against
which the table was placed where the
two We're seated.
Ellison. keeping his eyes steadily fixed
on the little man, saw that he was still
trying to get at the paper, which he
had 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
table, opened it, holding it in one hand,
While with the other, extended, he
seemed to be guarding his possession.
Here is the document in the case.'
he said; you may look, but you must
MT touch" waving Ellison back "See
and read; there is no reason why you
should take it in your hands"
Ellison read the paper over, which,
from the signatures and the wording,
He sat back in his chair, and sighed,
saying, after a pause:
yes, there is no doubt that you hold
| me in the hollow of your hand with
the document that signed with Martin
Frale nearly II years ago. Come closer
and listen. 7 want you to hear some
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.
took the paper quickly, substituting
| another in it's place. and then man
emerged from his hiding, and slipped
out Of the room without being heard
by the others, deep in whispered con
versation It was only after ne had
gone that Ellison suddenly rose, and
changing the calm tone in which he had
been speaking, brought his fist down
on the table with a bang.
tits no use, Nh. What's your-nanle,
your attempting to bully me- I DON t
believe in the existence of the copy of
the agreement"
But you saw 1t before your eyes %
II never saw anything of the kind"
II laid it out before you. Here it
Isl and, reaching over, he picked up
the paper that had been placed there
and opened it, while Ellison seemed to
enjoy Ills surprise.
"That terrifying document! Where
is it?' he exclaimed, displaying a wild
hilarity as Job opened the paper he
had picked up and showed that it was
blank.
"Now, then" harshly, what do you
| mean to 70, you scoundrel? You
threaten me with your pieces of blank
paper"
Job had retreated to the door, He
showed evidences Of fear at the other
| vehemence.
1T was not blank piece of paper
that showed you, Mr.. Ellison; it was
merely a copy Of the original, which
your confederate gathered in, and
which he is privileged to keep" and
then, with a laugh, he opened the door
quickly and went out.
CHAPTER XIII.