The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1905-10-19
CHAPTER XII.
IAMoNp cur DIAMOND.

DIAMOND CUT DIAMOND.
James Ellison was not the sort OF
n man who Is easily moved or sur
prised. but the sight OF Hendricks
standing there. calm and smIling-the
very person ne had been discussing
with his agcnt--for "A IN dis
concerted him. lie began TO experience
n certain dread of a man who seemed
TO be 80 utterly careless OF HIS own
safety. SO he stood for a moment
staring AZ his visitor In puzzled amaze
mcnt. He observed that Job had
trimmed his beard. was better dressed.
and otherwise changed. In short. he
was In general appearance n very DIFF
ferent looking man than when they
had met before.
"well. ] suppose you are not too
busy tn see me?' a Hendricks.
who seemed 10 enjoy the others dis
comfiturc.
Certainly. I shall be glad to hear
what you nave to say" replied FL
iison. quick To recove from his tenn
porary torpor. wishing at the same
time that his visitor was In n place
not mentioned In polite scsiety.
BE pleased TO walk In. Mr.. Hen
dricksg'' as with n bow and a court
~ gesture OF his right hand. he mo-
toned toward the open door. Job
bowed gently. and strobe past him
into the room. where he selected the
most comfortable chair. dropped Into
II with a sigh OF relief. and waited
for the other 20 speak. He saw that
his host as ne closed the door was
stiil disturbed In mind. and that he
was struggling TO appear at least
cool and collected as his guest. who
certainly did not display the slight
est embarrassment.
Ellison did not ait down. for he
seemed 10 feel loo nervous. n con-
tinued TO walk up and down the
room. twisting his gray mustache
with his thin white fingers n oc-
casionally casting a curious glance
at his visitor.
"Didn't expect to see me. did you7''
said Job Hendricks. after n pause.
II happened up To visit you the other
day at Exton. and found that you had
departed. bag and baggage. and a
left no address,"
II left one OF course.-for my
friends began Ellison. who had now
recovered some OF his sans frold.
"Thes you don't count me among
your friends"
II can't say I do"
you will ind that I shall stick
closer TO you than n brother-not TO say
a friend. until I have had my way"
replied Job calmly. The speech seemed
20 wake Ellison put of his lethargy, and
he came over TO the place where Job
was seated and glared mt him with
flashing eyes.
do you mean to threaten me-" he
clustered.
mot ut ALL"
II nov who you nre-certhin things
have happened since we last met. /
know that ] ave nothing to fear from
yoc."
Then why so excited" and Job cov-
cred his mouth with n red hand az II
TO conceal a smile. You know all
about me. Ell? I suppose you learned II
from the sneRking gentleman who just
came out OF your room? Strange that
n man OF your apparent good sense
should put any confidence In the maun-
derings OF n hang-dog looking fellow
like that! Don't o see. man. that he
would not hesitate TO lie n he thought
he could support his position and have
a claim on your purse"
Ellison began 20 think that he had
been going ahead too rapidly. Job did
not seem To be afraid OF anything-he
spoke confidently.
'If you think that I am running
away through fear OF you, you are
very much mistaken" he said, after a
moments pause. "As for the informn-
ton / ave received. / believe IL Is
true"
He was surprised when Hendricks
leaned back In his chair and burst out
laughing. His laugh was 40 hearty
hat for a moment the other seemed
disconnected and stIod away TO the
window to try and collect his thoughts
by staring out on the street.
II should very much like TO know
what your secret bureau tand l have
reason 10 know that O have one)
thinks about me. Any information on
the subject cheerfully received. as they
say when they advertise for missing
heirs" And Hendricks laughed again.
His manner. his hooking tone,
seemed To anger Ellison more than
anything else. for he started away
form the window. and. shaking a
warning finger AZ his visitor. said:
You are an escaped convict. n
as such amenable to the law. h
In there To prevent me from opening
the window and calling an officer and
giving you In charge"
Job shrugged his shoulds rs, and
laughed softly.
II don't see why you should con-
suit me ~ you want to do a foolish
action. BY all means. IL IL pleases.
call out OF the window. or from the
housetop for anyone you please"
EalNAnoh " ~ INV Nlta VI W.
amazement. Could the story he had
heard about this man be true. or n
he been deceived. Certainly Job did
not behave like n man who was afraid
! OF being arrested. or OF anything else.
The banker found himself confronted
by an enigma that. with all his knowl-
edge OF men and things. he was at n
loss how 10 solve.
You were saying something about
poking your head out OF the window
and calling for n policeman" said Job.
who seemed To- enjoy the others dis
! comhture. why didn't you MIR OF
u n few moments earlier. when that
young Jail bird was closeted with you7"
Ellison dia not reply ut once for G
nc might make n misstep. but bit his
lips to hide his chagrin and turned on
his heel. walked away from the smiling
lace OF the mar he had thought he had
no further reason to fear.
THE young man Is still confined In
tail and without bail. I will give you
the credit. Ellison. OF having lone what
YOU could TO set hin free" said job.
pursuing another subject.
II ought to be very much Obliged"
and the banker bowed with an air Of
grim irnny