Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1905-08-01

brought a threatening message to that
unhappy gentleman. l doa't deny that
carried out my orders. But II l had
been priyy to his death last night, /
should have been mad, sir-stark, staring
mad-to have come here with a threat of
extreme proceedings this morning"
do you mean to aid the defense in
any way, Mr.. Taylor, or do you not"
NO" said Taylor. Il wash my
hands of it; III have nothing more to
say to it. If I'd have guessed that 1t
was anything more than bluff, I'd never
have entered into it. 1 am no party to
this wicked act sir, and I'm not to be
identified with it."
81 may understand, then" said Har-
graves, that you regard your own es-
cape as certainP'
My escape" said the wretched man
1--WE nothing to escape from. l was
instructed to accompany Mr.. Jethroe
from Brazil and to deliver a message
to him on his arrival here"
You accompanied Mr.. Jethroe, did
you? Then you may be useful to the de-
tense, after all, and in a way perfectly
harmless to yourself"
Il don't see how" said Taylor.
Il will show you how in good time,
Mr.. Taylor" said Hargraves. 'Tn the
mea ntime, can l carry any message for
your
"Message" stammered Taylor.
ITO my client"
Certainly not, sir. No, sir-most as
suredly not, sir. l have had enough OF
your client to last me for my lifetime"
Very good. I can tell you one thing,
Mr.. Taylor: You will certainly be sum-
moned to attend the inquest tomorrow,
to identify the body"
With this Hargraves left him, and as
he closed the door and came upon the
corridor his impassive face sparkled for
an instant. A second later he was as
grave as ever, and he walked to his
chambers and plunged into the considera-
ton of a mass of papers there with as
complete forgetfuIness of the prisoner
as if no such person existed. The day
had long since faded, and he had been
working fully two hours by gaslight,
when a clerk appeared and said:
Rouse TO see you. sir"
''Show him in," said Hargraves, with
cut looking round.
A man entered, and stood at an atti-
luue Ol military ease.
"Perrott, Perrott and Lane confirm the
prisoners statement in all partic' lars
Both the cables is answered, and I'M
common quick. Harvey Martin Jethroe
that the name right, sir?-sailed from
Rio Janeiro, arriving at New York three
days ago. Harvey Martin Jethroe sailed
from Algoa Bay, arriving day before
yesterday. Thomas Edgecome, wanted
for extensive frauds, believed to be iden-
teal with Jethroe of Rio Janeiro. sigma
ture of Harvey Martin Jethroe at Per-
rott, Perrott and Lanes identical with
signature of gentleman as took rooms last
night at Pacific Hotel. That's all, Mr.
Hargraves. There's been three of us on
the job. That's the list of charges, and
this is the change out of a twenty dollar
note"
Mr.. Jethroe still at the police sta
tion?"
THAT reminds me, sir--I beg pardon,
| put in my report sir. The Inspector
gave me instructions to say, sir, that the
police won't give evidence. The charge
will not be preferred, sir, and he would
like to have a minute with you at your
earliest convenience"
Now, you silly fellow, why didn't you
tell me that at once? You might have
left that unfortunate gentleman to be
taken to jail"
Head that full of detail, sir.
shouldn't ha' forgot it in the long run
not me. Mr. Hargraves."
Il know you" said Hargraves
You've that foolish pride in thinking
you can remember everything. If you
-
wouldn't forget things"
Not in the long run, Mr.. Hargraves
Nothing more tonight, sir? Thank you.
Good night, sir"
Rouse was gone, and the clerk was
back again.
well, now, what is itY'
"Kloss, sir"
"Show him in. What is 1t, Kloss?'
The shabby man laid a shabby hat
upon one corner of the desk, and took
the dog scared notebook from a pocket.
He fumbled his dirty little diary for a
while, and read:
u. T. left P. Hotel with all baggage
in four-wheeler. Booked first class Gin
cinnati. Took front smoker"
Very WE'LL" said the lawyer; that
will do. A short days work, Kloss.
Wen stop Mr.. Taylor and have him
| back instanter."
He made a precise toilet at a dressing
stand which occupied one corner of his
| room and betook himself once more to
Central station. There he held a second
conference with the officer in charge.
much briefer than the first. Then the
| two sought the prisoner, who all this
time had found the minutes weigh like
| lead.
"Mr. Hargraves mas cleared up this
little matter for the PRESENT, Mr.. Jeth-
roe" said the inspector, and you are
free to go. You mustn't blame the po-
lice If you hadn't neglected the local
inspectors warning there'd have been no
trouble in the world"
I'm glad to be out of it." said Jeth-
roe. DO you know, Mr.. Hargraves, l
am very dolefully hungry, now that l
have a chance to think about it."
| why. so am l." said Hargraves. 81
haven't lunched to-day. Let US dine to-
! gether. l have some interesting matter
for you"
Yes" said the inspector. looking smil-
| ingly at the wall, with his head on one
! side. as if he had pleasing work of art
in contemplation. 1T looks as if it had
the making of a very pretty little case
| in it." He was a big, round, genial look
| ing man. and now that official relations
were laid aside he was no more like the
man who had received Harvey on his
! first presentation than the very ripest
cheese is like the very dryest chalk. ut
looks like very pretty little case, so far,
nlr. Jethroe. l fancy we shall find it
interesting before we've done with it. 1t
lends sort of charm TO business-don t
you think so, Mr.. Hargraves?"
why, as for that" said Hargraves.
IF mans not interested in his work
he had better make room for another
man who is"
The released prisoner and the lawyer
were out in the lamplight and the fog
together a minute later.
Il never thought of it before" said
Harvey, but there are millions of peo-
pie round US who enjoy the greatest
blessing of life, and never even dream
of it."
The greatest blessing of life?' said