The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1906-11-24
her, simply to offer these banalities.

the rogue, taking out cigarette case. /
Il don't know what that word
means. sir. but as you do. it seems TO
fit the occasion proper enough"
1T means, William. that this charm
ing young lady scents our visit from
afar"
y had a suspicion, sir. that it might
mean that" William leaned against
the wall, his beady eyes twinkling mer-
rily.
The master rogue lighted a cigar
cite at one of the candles.
Pardon me-" he said, but viii
you join me ?"-proffering the hand
some gold case.
l took a cigarette and fired it. q
really wanted it, l would show up
well before this girl if died for It,
| blew a cloud of smoke at the can
dle-fame. There was a sparkle of
admiration in the girls eyes.
Mr. Comstalk, my respect for you
increases each moment" The rogue
sat down.
And to whom might this hand
some case belong?" l asked, examin-
ing it closely.
"Oh, that has always been mine
| There was a time, blowing rings at
the candelabrum,-"w when | was re-
spected like yourself, rich, sought
after A woman and a trusted friend:
! how these often tumble down our
beautiful edif1ces! Yes, am a scamp,
! thief, a rogue; but not because
need the money. No,"-with retro
spective eyes-'T need excitement,
| tremendous and continuous excite-
ment to keep my vigilance and inven-
ton active day and night, excitement
to oblterate memory.
But we can't do it, my friend, we
can't do it. Memory is always with
us She is an impartial Nemesis; she
dogs the steps of the righteous and
the unrighteous. To obliterate mem
ory, that is it, And where might I
find this obliteration, save in this
life? Drugs? Pah! Oh, have given
Haggerty a royal chase. 1t has been
meat and drink to me to fool the
cleverest policeman in New York. Till
yesterday my face, as a criminal, was
unknown to any man or woman, save
William here, who was my valet in the
old days | have gone to my clubs
dined, played billiards; a fine comedy
a fine comedy! Tomorrow William
and | sail for Europe Miss Haw
thorne, you wear one Of the most ex
quisite rubies l have ever seen. Per
nit me to examine it"
The girl tore the ring from her fin
ger and flung it on the table. l made
a move as though to push back my
chair.
Il wouldn't do it, sir" warned vii
liam quietly.
, My muscles relaxed.
do not commit any rash action, Mr.
Comstalk," said the girl, smiling
bravely into my eyes. THE gentle
man would not appreciate it,
The master rogue picked up tht
ring and rolled it lovingly about hi
palms.
Beautiful, beautiful" he mur
INJURED. Finest pigeon-blood, too. ]
is easy worth a thousand Shall
give you my note of exchange for it?'
ply. He took out a little chamois bal
and emptied it's contents on the tabl'
How they sparkled, scintillated, glow
ed; thousands in the whitest o
stones! How he ever had got hi
fingers on them is something | shall
never learn. Aren't they just beauti
ful?" he asked naively. Can yO
blame me for coveting them?" He Sc
the ruby on top of the glittering hear
1t lay there like a drop of blood. Pres
emily he caught it up and-presente
it to the girl who eyed him in aston
ishment. q only wanted to look a
it." he said courteously. q like you
grit as much as l admire your beauty
Keep the ring"
She slipped it mechanically over he
finger.
he cried, turning his shining eye
;. upon me, while his fingers deity Re
:, placed the gems in the bag.
: Il have no jewelry," l replied, tosi
ing aside the cigarette.
+. But you have something infnitel
better. l am rather observant
= FriaFd's curio-shop you carelessly e.
:, hibited wallet that was simply chol
ing to death with long yellow-boyi
You have it still Will you do NJ
: the honor ?"-stretehing out his sill
white hand.
= l looked at William; he nodded
There wasn't the slightest chance fc
me to argue. So I drew out my wa
- let. 1 extracted the gold-bills an
:, made a neat little packet of them.
hurt, hurt like the deuce, to part wit
them But!
Game, William, isn't he? Mo.
= men would have flung the wallet /;
- my head"
" "Oh, he is game, sir; never 70
doubt it, sir" said the amiable WI
= liam.
!. Il have some silver in change"
= suggested with some bitterness.