New-York tribune., 1905-07-09
CHAPTER TX.

IIAD panther and tiger-the one young and
l full of courage and the other old, but versed
in all the craft and wisdom learned years,
and now thoroughly enraged-had two such enemies
been locked together in a cage of steel, to fight
duel to the DEATH the tension of feeling scarcely
could have been greater than it was when Wooster
closed the door that shut himself and the Major
in that room, face to face
A man may be stripped of weapons, and win
battle with his naked fists; a may be loaded
to positive he1plessness with the of defense.
Against the wrathful man now come to seek HIM
out, Nelson must certainly have been in dreadful
plight had he not been prepared by the warning
and knowledge impaired by Aileen. Yet with
Franklin Van Twiller in his apartment, unaware
of what was being enacted, the knowledge in
Wooster's possession far too damning for his
use even to ward off the Maj RS attack upon HIM
self. How could he reveal what Ailcon had told
him of her brothers guilt? Frank his friend,
exceptionally beloved Yet how could he hope to
clear himself of the Majors condemning accusations,
did he not avail himself of the TRUTH
His thoughts swan about in a maelstrom of futile
activity At the least Frank Van Twiller should be
given a chance to tell his story for himselfl 1t
would sound terribly bald and unm1tigated
coming from friend
All this went racing pell-me11 through Nelson's
brain in the brief time that elapsed between his
first glimpse of the Major and closing the door of
the room at his back.
The visitor waited for nothing. That he was
making an effort control himself was obvious but
the CLINT III his eyes ominous.
I've come for those papersl" he broke out
abruptly in a voice that came like thrust with
sword I've found out what it you stole
from my safe! You'll instantly give those
papers, by Georgel-Give them up sir-give
them up I'll not be answerable for what may
occur"
"Papers?" said Wooster in the sudden ndigna-
tion of innocence. " / don't know anything of any
of your papers l don't know what you meanl"
Galvancally the Majors hands up, if
hungry to bury themselves in the young mans
throat and choke him till the papers should be
restored You Don't you play your innocence
upon any furtheri" cried the angered man in a
heat beyond his control You opened my safei
You refused to give your reasoni 1t was not the
neckace-but those papers gonei You think
you force to a consent to your marriage
with my daughter YOu-a friendi IOu-mak-
ing love to my child! Don't you dare to answer
me again in your shameless deceit Give me those
papers, or"
Please don't speak so loud" interrupted Woos-
ter, fearing that Frank in the room beyond must
certainly hear every word the Major was speaking.
81 repeat | did not open your safe to take out any
thing. l have papers | have nothing of yours
about me-nOr have ever had anything from that
safe or elsewhere And that is the TRUTH
Il don't believe it!" cried the Major in a flaming
wrath. Il wouldn't believe under oath who
would DO what you did-whO to my house
a guest a suitor for my daughters hand only
to break open a safe at the first moment offered!
But haven't come here to say all this again, sir!
By George don't believe your word You took
those papers, and you'll give them up"
- did not | did not!" answered Nelson, in n
ger himself 1 took thing from that safe,