Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1905-07-08
CHAPTER 1rl-tContinued.)


line Of life" asked George Johns. hold |
Ing out a hand to the inspector, as If to
ask him not to interfere.
He was n physician"
OH said George Johns. "this un.
lucky gentleman was not a physician. BY !
his own showing. until he made his pile |
he had as tough time of It as any man |
! ever heard Of. Carried his life in his |
hands for years. know what that |
means ms well rs most men. You've got |
60 allow for changes"
THAT may be So" said Jethroe; ."
cant dispute facts. Since you arrived
90 recently. there must be other people |
IN the city who can identify him."
Everybody aboard will remember
him. He was pretty lively from time to
time. Then. his size made him notice.
able. too. You'll have no difficulty in
settling as to who he is"
"Well. gentlemen" said the inspector,
"there's nothing more to he done at pres.
cnt. You'll let me know where I can
find you. Mr.. Johns. Northern Hotel Il?
Thank you. You'll both be wanted at
the inquest"
The trio Withdrew and left the dead
90 it's repose, the inspector turning down
the gas to the merest glimmer before
he left the room. Jethroe, explaining
that he had call to make, babe his
companions a curt goodnight, and strobe
homeward. Arrived there, he made some
necessary changes In his attire, and then
set out for the main street. He made
up his mind that . shadowy figure which
hung Q little to the rear on the opposite
side Of the road was following him: but
he dismissed that reflection from his
mind and walked on sturdily, revolving
the strange incidents Of the night until
he reached the gate Of a solid, well.to-
do.lookins house which stood back from
the road behind an expanse Of lawn and
a semi. circular gravel sweep. As he
thrust open the clanking gate he cast a
glance behind him. and saw that the Ag-
ure In the rear had made a momentary
ps,se. A sudden gust Of impatience and
Irritation seized him, and he crossed the
road.
Hi. you!" he cried, as the man moved
away. The figure stopped and faced
him. "You are following me?'
II am carrying out my orders" said
the man.
..Oblige me by not making a secret Of
Il so far as I am concerned" Jethroe
rapped out angrily. "YOu might be much
more probably enga ged; but that, I sup.
pose, II neither your affair nor mine"
"l'ye got nv Instructions" snid the
man ciyilly enough: "that's all I have To
think about"
Jethroe crossed the road again. md.
passinR through the gateway and along
the drive. rang the hall bell Of the house.
"Mr, Jethroe to zee Miss Thorne," he
said to the neat parlor maid who an.
swersd TO his summons.
II will tell the master, SIR" the maid
answered, IF you will kindly wait out.
side"
II will wait indoors. IL you please"
snid Jethroe. stepping into the hall. and
closing the door behind him.
The maid hesitated timidly.
"Weli?" he said, with a vexed laugh
''rake my message to Mr.. Thorne."
The girl retired, and he stood. staring
at tho pattern of the parquet floor until
n red.faced man In a very large, well.
filed white waistcoat came suddenly into
the hall. and coughed pompously.
II wish to see Constance, Mr..
Thorne." said Jethroe.
"ln my presence" said the red-faced
gentleman, pulling at his white waist.
coat with both hands. and wagging n
bald head with an odd kind Of bullying
jocosity-"in my presence"
IF you insist, sir" said Jethroe.
II do insist" said the red.faced gen.
tleman; II have always insisted; I al.
ways shall insist. You know my opin-
ion already; but. so long as you choose
20 come here. I shall take the pleasure
Of repeating 1t. You are an ass, Mr..
Jethroe-a double. treble, quadruple ass.
Here 10 fellow" said the red-faced
gentleman, appealing to the umbrella
stand, "who has millionaire uncle"
ut IL Of my uncle I wish to speak to
Miss Thorne," Jethroe interrupted.
"Who might" the other went on, with.
out needing him, "inherit his uncle's for.
tune, and make a at and proper settle.
ment In life, and who chooses to remain
q pauper, and wants to drag my dauRh.
fer 10 his level, What are Won 70 ssy
10 a man like thatf What are you 10
make OF himY'
~ have very terrible news. air." said
Jethroe. needing the old gentleman an.
parently 40 little ~ the old gentleman
had 20 far needed him. "There IL some
reason to believe that my uncle has been
act upon and killed within the last two
hours"
The master Of the house went sudden.
y pale with excitement, and, taking his
visitor by the shoulder, pushed him aions
the hall and into the drawing room.