The Washington times., 1906-01-21

back in my Eden days before the fall
when six hunters were in my stable.
and men and women were glad to know
Jack Henderson OF LowoOd Han. in
the best Of counties: yes, l was away
from Princeton village in the midst of
happy memories. when 1 came to my
senses with the sound Of a sOft-tapping
under the window There We're tip-toe
skuIking footsteps on the gravel % the
yard.
Heaven knows but my ear had been
well trained TO such steps as those
creDt softly TO my window and
peered out. The man was almost
across the yard. moving in the shadow
of the pig-sties. As ne stopped al the
wicket gate that opened on the moor.
he turned his head 20 the moon. II
was Hearne again.
1 decided on that instant. J slipped
on my boots and ran down the stairs.
The landlord was locking up for the
night as / came 10 the front door
Pm going TO take your advice
said. with laugh
Very good sir. l VIII sit up for
YOU.
mo. no give me the key. Has Mr.
IIearue gone To bed?'
Yes. sir. about ten minutes ago
His room is on the first floor. isn't
it,"
mo. sir. he chose one on The ground
floor lie preferred it.
The wiser man. thought J. lie need
ed no door when he had but 90 open
his window and step out.
When / got 10 the back Of tur ian
Hearne was a good 400 yards away.
climbing a low ridge. As he disaD-
pearei over its edge / seJ Of run
ming al top speed. for 1 saw that Ia so
broken and rugged place ! should
have To keep close TO mis- heels OF
should lose MIN altogether IL was
well / did go. for when l reached The
crest of the rise he had vanished.
Presently. however. ] caught sight
of him again. walking very fast down
a hollow at right angles TO the line
he first took. It led IN the direction
Of the oairn hill
II was hard work that TWO miles
stalk across The moor. Sometimes /
ran, sometimes era wIed, sometimes lay
fat on my chest with my head bur
led IS the heather like an ostrich
Once ] tried 70 cut a corner across
what seemed plot OF level turf and
struggled back, painting from the
grasp OF the bog. with the black slime
almost 10 my waist But / took great
credit for my performance. since the
old man tra amped steadily forward,
showing no sign of having seen MT.
lie did rot climb the caiTn hill. as 1
had half expected. but skirted along
the base until he came 20 the track
which lc,i 10 the ruined farm. Down
this he walked quickly and passed
through the doorway Of the main build
ing ] remained upon the slope of the
hill. waiting for him 20 reappear. Five.
ten minutes went by. and then my
curiosity got the better 81 my pru-
dence. ! determined 10 go down and
see what he was about.
The place was sheltered from re
gale. but I could hear II yelpins .,ud
humming In the rocks above while
now and again a gust came curling up
the valley setting the heather whis-
pering around me / cTept forward
over the soft turf Of the cart track.
reached the gap where the door had
been. hesitated listened. and then
stuck in my head
had been "a boxer In nay time, OF
that would have been The end OF me
OF my cap and crushed into the wall
with nasty thud. I jumped back
and he came storning out through the
doorway like madman. ! never saw
ore beastIy fury in a mans eyes
/ side-stepped. and he missed me
again-it was a knife this time. Ther
/ woke up. and let him have Il with
my right under the ear He staggered
dropping his knife. As ne stopped Il
pick il up, 1 jumped for him, and in
ten seconds more was sitting on hi,
chest. pegging oUt his arms on tn,
surf. He tried a struggle or two. bu
he soon saw that l was far IN,
stronger man. and so lay painting
with "a hopeless despair in his fac.
that. in man of his age was shock
ing to witness. He had tried to xii
me, but, on my honor. I felt sorry 70
him.
Well. Mr.. Hearne," said. "ant
what does this mean?"
Too old" he gasped. -TweuU
years ago-different- How did yo
suspect? 1t was justice-nothiug bu
bare Justice. by heavent'
Now, what in the world do yor
think I am?' l asked him, in grea
surprise.
a detective. You couldn't deeeiv
me-"
! got To my feet with curse At I'll
muddle / had made of it. and he Sd
up. staring at me as if he thought
had gone clean crazy of n sudden.
I'm no detective" I said. angriIy
though | was fool enough 10 beIiev
you we're one.
Then why did YOU follow me 70
night?" he asked. with quick sus
picion.
why did YOU try 10 Kill me2'
said THE truth is. Mr. Hearne. yO
and l are playing a risky game. |
it to be cards on the table. or are v
TO separate and say no more abot
it?"
He sat watching me for time Wit
puzzled look. Plainly he was !
great uncertainty of mind.
Perhaps / have nothing to tell" !
said at last.
A man does not attempt to murd,
detectives unless he has a crime
conceal"
THAT is true" he said, nodding h
head; very just and true
There was nothing to De gained I
a long bargaining of secrets with hin
Whatever his business, he could speet
! Hfap.K~ar Ia ghaea