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

prised. but the sight OF Hendricks
standing there. calm and s~mliing-the
very person ne had been discussing
with his agent-for n dis
concerted him. lie began TO experience
a certain dread OF a man who seemed
10 be 80 utterly careless OF HIS own
safety. So he stood for a moment
staring at his visitor In puzzled n
mcnt. He observed that Job had
trimmed his beard. vas better dressed.
and otherwise changed. In short. he
was I'm general appearance a very diff
ferent looking man than when they
had met before.
"weli. / suppose you are not too
busy "a see me-" said Hendricks.
who seemed to enjoy the others dis
comfture.
Certainly. I h be glad to hear
what you have To say" replied Ell
lison. quick TO recover from his tenn
porary torpor. wishing ut the same
time that his visitor was In n place
not mentioned In polite society.
BE pleased to walk In. Mr.. Hen
dricks?" as with n bow and n court
~ gesture OF his right hand. ne mo-
toned toward the open door. Job
bowed gently. n 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 TO speak. He saw that
his host as he closed the door was
still 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 sit down. for he
seemed TO feel too nervous. n con-
tinued TO walk up and down the
rnnVn kW.i.eln1 hta reaU Nntaganha
with his thin white fingers and oc-
casionally casting n curious glance
at his visitor.
Didn't expect to see me. did your"
said Job Hendricks. after a pause.
II happened up TO visit you the other
day nj Exton. and found that you had
departed. bag and baggage. n had
left no address"
II left one Of course.-for my
friends" began Ellison. who had nov
recovered some OF his sang froid.
Then 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 a brother-not TO say
n friend. until I have had my way"
replied job calmly. The speech seemed
TO wake Ellison u of his lethnrgy, and
he came over TO the place where o
wa e|aAN1 Wv 8s@AN ~ Ss "sNa
do you mean to threaten me-" he
clustered.
mot ut all"
II know who you h~re-certain things
have happened since we last met. /
know that have nothing to fear from
you"
cred his mouth with a red hand IN IL
IN annrAal a annlla sfNnt knnNN nn
about me. Ell? l suppose you learned II
from the sneaking gentleman who just
came out OF your roomg strange that
n man OF your apparent good sense
should put any confidence I'm the maun-
dcrings OF n hang-dog looking fellow
like that! Don't you see. man. that he
would not hesitate TO lie II he thought
he could support his position and have
a claim on your purse"
Ellison began { o think that he had
been going ahead toe rapidly. job did
O seem To be afraid OF nnything-he
spoke confidently.
III 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 informa-
ton | have received, believe IL Is
true"
lie was surprised when Hendricks
leaned back I'm his chair and burst out
laughing. His laugh vas so hearty
that for a moment the other seemed
disconnected and str q 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 Iand 1 have
reason TO know that you 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 at mis- visitor. said:
You are an escaped convict. and
as such amenable TO the law. What
is there TO prevent me from opening
the window and calling an officer and
giving you In charge"
Job shrugged his shoulders. and
laughed softly.
II don't see why you should con
suit me n you "A to do a foolish
action. BY all means. II IL pieases.
call out OF the window. OF from the
housetop for anyone O please"
Ellison for n eyed him In
amazement. Could the story he had
heard about this man be true. OF had
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 or men and things. he was at a
loss how 20 solve.
You were saying something about
poking your head out OF the window
and calling for a policeman" said Job.
who seemed to enjoy the others dis
comfture. why didn't you think OF
II a few moments earlier. when that
young Jail bird was closcted with you?
Ellison din not reply ut once for e
he might make a misstep. but bit his
lips 10 hide his chagrln and turned on
his heel. walked away from the smiling
face OF the man he had thought he had
no further reason to fear.
'''The young man o. stiil confined I'm
fail and without bail. I viii give you
the credit. Ellison. OF having done what
you could to set him free said job,
pursuing another subject.
II ought 20 BE- very much Obliged
and the banker bowed with an air OF
grim irony.
Certainly you deserve the complI-
ment. and IL is not In me To withhold
Il from you"
Il thank you again.
And your daughter. what OF herr
asked Job. after a moments sllcnc
What business have you" began
Ellison. but the other checked him by
a simple gesture.
/ lyon aVa nat falling IN tho galiarx