Waterbury evening Democrat., 1906-10-27
Very slowly Eoder rose From lii {. .s. uVHyoiIqsp S,A xoetnvn &66 ssiiss

| -T tered by your confidence" His voice was intentionally brusque.
 Chilcote paid no attention to tho voice. Taking step forward he laid his fingers on the lapel of Loders coat. "I have passed the stage where l can I count upon myself" he said. "and I want to count upon somebody else. want to keep my place in the worlds ] eyes and yet be free"- l Loder drew back involuntarily, con- tempt struggling with bewilderment In { his expression.
 | Chilcote lifted his head. By an ex- traordinary chance,' he said, you can do for me what no other man in ere ation could do It was suggested to me unconscionsly by the story of book--a book in which men changed Identities. saw nothing in 1t at the time, but this morning, as lay in bed. sick with yesterdays f1asco, 1t came back to me. It rushed over my mind in an inspiration. It will save me and make you. I'm not insulting you, though you'd like to think so."
 Without remark Loder freed him. self from the others touch and walked back to his desk. His anger, his pride. and, against his will, his excitement were all aroused.
 He sat down, leaned his elbow on the desk and took his face between his hands. The man behind him undoubt edly talked madness; but after five years of dreary sanity madness had fascination. Against all reason 1t stirred and reused him. For one in- stant his pride and his anger faltered before It, then common sense flowed back again and adjusted the balance.
 You propose" he said slowly, that 1 for a consideration of money should trade on the likeness between us and become your dummy, when you are otherwise engaged"
 Chilcote colored. You are unpleas- antly blunt" he said.
 But have caught your meaningT
 'In the rough, yes"
 Loder nodded curtly. Then take my advice and go home," he said. You're unhinged."
 The other returned his glance, and as their eyes met Loder was reluctant ly compelled to admit that, though the face was disturbed, it had no traces of insanity.
 q make you a proposal" Chilcots repeated nervously, but with distinct ness. Do you accept"
 For an instant Loder was at loss to find reply sufficiently final. Chil- cote broke in upon the pause.
 After all," he urged, "what ask of you is a simple thing-merely to carry through my routine duties for week or two occasionally when I find my endurance giving away, when respite becomes essential. The work would be nothing to a man in your state of mind, the pay anything you like to name." In his eagerness he had fol- lowed Loder to the desk Wont you give me an answer? told you am neither mad nor drunk"
 Loder pushed back the scattered pa- pers that lay under his arm.
 "Only a lunatic would propose such a scheme" he said brusquely and without feeling.
 "WhyT
 The others lips parted for a quick retort; then in surprising way the retort seemed to fail him. ''Oh, be- cause the thing isn't feasible, isn't practicable from any point of view"
 Chilcote stepped closer. "WhyY he | insisted.
 Because 1t couldn't work, man couldn't hold for a dozen hours!"
 Chilcote put out his hand and touch ed his arm. But whyr he urged. "why? Give me one unanswerable reason"
 Loder shook of the hand and laugh ed, but below his laugh lay a sugges- ton of the others excitement. Again the scene stirred him against his sounder judgment. though bis reply when 1t came was sound enough.
 "As for reasons" he said, ''thsre arc a hundred, if had time to name them. Take it, for the sake of suppositiou, that were to accept your offer. I should take my place in your house at-let us say at dinner time. Your man gets me into your evening clothes. and there nt the very start you have the first suspicion set up. He has probably known you for years. known you until every turn of your appear ance. voice and manner Is far mofo familiar 10 him than it is to you. There are no eyes like a servants"
 q have thought of that. My sefvs ant and my secretary can both be changed. I will do the thing thor oughly"
 Loder glanced at him in surprisa. The madness bad more method than he had believed. Then as he still look ed fresh idea struck him. and hs laughed.
 You have entirely forgotten one thing" he said "You can hardly dis miss your wife"
 "My wife doesn't count"
 Aysm Loder laughed I'm afraid I scarcely agree The complications would be slightly - slightly" He paused.
 Chllcote's latent irritabIllty broks out suddenly. Look here" he said riIs isn't a chaEng matter. 1t mas be moonshine to you, but it's reality to me"
 Again Lodcr took his face between his hands.