The Irish standard., 1905-09-30
GAMBLING
WITH FATE
By WILLIAM WALLACE COOK
Authur OF "The Gold Cleaners: A Story Of
the CYANIDE Tanks. why's DAM
'His Friend the Enemy" Rogers
Of Butte" ETC., Ktc.
Copyright. Iyoa by William Wallace Cook
CHAPTER XIx.-CoNr1SuEp

announcement.
why should Murgatroyd ask you
to help him in such a criminal pro-
ceeding?" went on Payton.
Because had helped in other crimi-
nal proceedings. | suppose" was tho
bitter reply.
Don't go outside of the Sturgis mat
ter. McCloud," said the doctor, by way
Of warning. eve only care to know
about this
Il am wreck and will soon be be-
yond the pale of any earthly law.
What am owe to Murgatroyd and
would like to have everything known"
Where did you first meet Murga.
troyd?"
an Denver. Physicians sent me
there for my health. am the victim
of a strange malady and physicians
were puzzled and could give me little
except advice and suggestions. They
sent me to Denver
Professional curiosity manifested it,
self in DR.. Payton's manner.
what sort of malady, McCloud?"
he asked.
ut is nervous, they tell me- Undue
excitement throws me into condi-
ton that resembles death-but it Is
not death, although it has led me close
to 1t. | can see and hear all that goes
on around me. but there is no notice.
able beating of the heart and all the
evidences of death, even to rigor NOR
tbs, may be detected"
Rare, but not unique" mutter4d the
doctor. The attacks come on at in
tervals?"
Excitement brings them on. They
have been more frequent of late than
formerly" McCloud turned to Oar
rel. when fled from Sandy Bar,
that night, | was beside myself with
apprehension and remorsc. too.
refuge in that deserted cabin, and feel
ing that an attack was upon me, and
not knowing but it would be the last
made a few preparations and
stretched myself out in the bunk,
covering myself with blankets | car
ried with me.
"Tlen you came. Nate Darrell. Up
to the time you closed my eyes every
move you made inside the cabin was
seen by me; every word you spoke /
heard"
what did Darrell dog" asked Pay
ton, bent on proving barrels story.
McCloud recited barrels actions in
detail. substantially as Darrell had al
ready set them forth.
"What were your feelings, Nc
Cloud?" continued Payton.
The utter silence of the room was
broken only by the low tones of the
speakers and an occasional burst OF
music from the dance hall.
Il was glad" said McCloud, "glad
that Darrell could save himself by I'M
personating me. My hope was that
might die and be found, after a time,
and mistaken for Darrel-just as he in
tended. But fate spared me for this
final act of reparation. recovered
and for the last four weeks, have been
living with prOspectOr in the hills.
Again he addressed Darrell.
II have what you wrote and placed
over me-" said he. Taking Morocco
purse from his pocket. he brought from
1t ragged slip of brown paper. Read
1t, DOCTOR he added ut will prove
that Nate Darrell is man of fine feel
ing"
Payton took the slip and read ii.
us there another paper in the pocket
book?" he asked.
"This."
1t was the writing which told of the
marked bullet and deep breath es-
capped the listeners when its contents
were made known to them.
Let us come back to your relations
with Murgatroyd," proceeded Payton.
"You say they began in Denver?"
Yes; in gambling house in Den
yer. played there night after night,
forging checks to cover my losses.
Murgatroyd took the stolen money and,
finding me an apt pupil, taught me
how to play with him and help him
fleece others. went from bad to
worse. Friends paid the amount of the
forged paper. hushing the matter up.
From that hour, however. was lost
The letters of Murgatroyd's dcvilish
influence were things from which l
could not free myself. did not I'M
derstand his power then and do not
understand it now-but it was an in
vincible weapon and he used it merci-
lessly. For that monster ! have re-
nounced everything l hold dear in life
and see how I am renaidi"
In the bris6; lowering stiffness that
followed there was not one but looked
upon McCloud in pity and upon Muir
gatroyd with horror and loathing.
80" said Payton. softly, "you came
to Sandy Bar, met Murgatroyd in that
private room, heard him read the note
from Darrell and was asked to help
him commit a murder!"
"Not asked" returned McCloud,
hoarsely, commanded! Perhaps I
should have obeyed him but for what
happened. Murgatroyd stood at the
office window, looking down into the
street. He saw Darrell walking slowly
in the direction of Hawkbill's. Spin
ming around, Murgatroyd said to me:
There is my man now; he is 60
ing to Hawkbill's, but he shall never
reach there alive. will spring out
into his path suddenly, from between
the buildings. When | leave you take
that revolver on the desk, McCloud,
step to this window and shoot from
It in case need you. barrels back
will be toward you and it will be an
easy shot
snrhan Murpatrovd hlIrriod oula,, L