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

II suIteu lhe ponce AUTHORITIES TO keep
their own counsel. Mr.. Joseph Taylor
was not publicly supposed to be under
restraint when he failed to identify the
remains The error of Mr. George Johns
as to the mans personality was shown
to be due to the fact that the fugitive
had adopted the name of the elder Jeth-
roe No awkward questions were opened,
and the jury were satisfied that the de-
ceased was an absconding swindler. A
verdict of "willful murder" against some
person or persons unknown was return
ed, and there the public interest in the
case came to an end. The inspector had
arranged to make himself aware of Mr.
Taylor's every movement, but it was not
his cue to say SO, and he was almost
apologize when he parted with that gem
tleman.
People don't like being mixed up with
these unpleasant affairs. | know" said
the inspector. That's a common expe-
rience. We see it every day. L can as
sure you. But then, what n greenhoru's
trick 1t is to run away! You see, now,
IL our inquiries hadn't enabled US to ac-
count for all your time since you've been
here, you might have drawn suspicion
on yourself, Mr.. Taylor, and have got
into no end of trouble Good-by. sir"
So Mr.. Taylor departed and thought
himself well out of very dangerous po-
sition, and the police Swallowed him night
and day. Believing that he had no fur
Their reason for evasion, he stayed on:
and as any unoccupied man Inight do, he
made casual acquaintance, who came
and went. He made one acquaintance of
rather more than the casual sort in the
person of a simple country gentleman
who came from Indiana. This gentle
man had recently inherited what he de-
scribed as ''tidyish bit of MUMMY" and
being strange to the city. was very CRATE
full to a man Of the world like Mr. Tay-
Tor, for being kind enough to shepherd
him. He was not over-free with any
portion Of the "tidysh Bit" but he paid
his share, and he treated Mr.. Taylor
with great respect, and had the highest
opinion of his knowledge of men and af
fairs; so that in spite of his yokel sim
plicities. Mr.. Taylor began to think him.
within a limited measure, a rather dis
corning sort Of fellow. They went about
to the theaters in the evenings, frequent
ly the second best places, and when Mr.
Taylor encountered an acquaintance, as
he sometimes did, the gentleman from
Indiana always made a point of effaciag
himself unless he were actually pressed
to join in the conversation.
Il never saw such a retiring chap"
said Mr.. Taylor on one occasion. You
seem to shrink from people. Why don't
you buck up a bit more"
well" said the gentleman from In
llama, who answered to the name of
Val l.
oany's wanted before L thrust it upoa
anybody"
That's the right spirit. of course"
said Mr.. Taylor, but you can carry it
o excess"
But Mr.. Fielding was not to be cured
If his shyness, although it turned out
hat when there was need for it he could
how as bold a front as any man. He
nd Mr.. Taylor had been close chums for
omething more than a fortnight when
his occasion offered itself The two were
the promenade at 4 theater, and were
Walking from end to end in casual con-
ersation, when Taylor suddenly checked
his speech, and his companion. glanc-
lg at him, saw a look of lowering dis
leasure and of something like alarm
pom his face.
"Hillo! said the gentleman from In
lana. What's the matterY'
Nothing" returned Taylor grufly-
nothing at ALL"
Come, now, there's something" said
Gliding. Look here, candid's my mot.
Mr.. Taylor. Have you got the same
Ia as l have, l wonder?
How should 1 know?'' asked Taylor
rher shiftily.
We'll, now" pursued Fielding at
SINS ONE that I'm a-meeting a GER
tn party once or twice too often"
/ don't know what you mean," said
THOR.
lis face was mottled, and he looked
ablt him with a furtive keenness.
Well then, I'll tell you" Fielding an
swred. We're both more or less stran-
ger here. We're both carryin' tidyish
bit mummy about with us, an perhaps
We'a flashed it about a bit too much"
clip asked Taylor, with a slight
unshdiness in voice and breathing.
VEIL said Fielding, IN bet ten to
one lat chaps a sharp. I'll deal with
him. He hasn't been watching us two
for aweek for nothing. Leave him to
me, NV"
INC no." cried Taylor, don't make
row public place like this. You're
quite Eht, dare say-in fact, I'm sure
you're right But forewarned's fore
armed ,'ou know. We can take care of
ourselvs."
CO take care of 'ir " sai5