Los Angeles herald., 1906-01-14

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a notebook which he locked within a worn aud
battered grip" concealed underneath lis bunk.
lie then returned to the window, but not be-
fore he had taken from its hidiugpace the tiny
package of white powder which he always kept
near nim, ready for emergency. AS he did so .
he saw his face in bit of broken mirror upon
shelf against the VOL, and he wondered grmly
whether anyone who bad known him five years
before would recognize him now. Then he sat
down before the window to await the coming
OF the Limited"
lie was no longer oblivious TO the scene out
side; his eyes took in each detail with unusual
particularly; the interminabe stretches of
pIairlc covered with sage brush and cactus, dull
and dun here and there a faint line Of gray,sh-
green, marking the course of some stream fast
drying IN the summer hcat the few winding
roads, dim and little used, serving to connect
the dozen or so Of buildings visible in all that
arid plain, and against the low, distant horizon
Jagged outline black and sinister, the begin
ming of the Bad Lands And while his eve took
note of these details panorama Of the last i've
years was passing before his mental vision. In
Western phtaseology, was the game worth the
candle? Why not surrender and have it done
The thought Of Mildred decided him; he would
not disgrace her he would never be taken back
alive. Mechanically he felt again for the little
packet, and he did so he heard the distant
rumble of the Limited
lie had no duties in connection with this train
its approach, his face grown drawn and haggard
within the last halt hour. On it came with
terrific roar, rushing past with speed which
seemed likely to sweep the station itself within.
the -wirling vortex. 1t had not stopped, but
the man listened for the slackening of speed as
IT neared The water-tanl sitting silent mmov-
able. strange numbness stealing over heart and
brain.
How long he waited he could not have told,
but he aroused by step outside, followed
by voice at the door.
WHAT'S the next train going west?'
''No. %. live-forty five p. NJ"
Accommodations
Yes
''Whcn's the first express?"
"Two thirty \. NJ"
Him! stopped off down here at the tank
to stretch my legs and get a breath of air, and
the confomdcd train went off without me.
thinl, three hours ot this'-looking about with
disgust--"wiil be much as | want
The man regarded his visitor with dull. list
less look, though at the sound of his voice every
nerve in his body tingIcd he understood the
rllse. but made no comment as he motioned him
to the remaining chair.
AS Mr. Sargent looked at the apathetic face
before him he felt for Il moment that he hal
come fools errand. Ned Raymond was
blond, with fair skin, eyes of deep blue, and
auburn hair: of fine physique and erect bearing
and would be thirty Years of age. This man
looked TO be forty; his frame was powerful. but
gaunt and slightly stopping: his face, thin
hrcnZed, and weathcr-bcacu, bore no rcseni-
blancc TO the photograph; in Mr.. Sargents pos
session; the hai~. idded by sun and wind. was
of na:;1tscIipt hue while of the eyes-half
closcd-he could tell nothing whatever. As they
talked, however though the man answered brief
ly and IN monosyldble. there was occasionally
pecuarty of voice or movement that re
called to the detective the man whom he sought.
and he felt nstinctively that he had made no
mistake. His eye searched the room for the pa
pcrs, but they were not 70 he seen. Had ne
destroyed them? and if So why? The thought
of Dixon and of their communications by wire
occurred to him, and he understood: Dixon had
notified him of his coming
Al the same time there came to RAYMOND
sudden determination 10 force his visitor 10
"show" his hand Escape from the doom which
he felt impending was impossible; the sooner all
was over, the better.
Rather lonesome place, this" said Mr..
Sargent casually.
yes"
'Iow is It? Do YOU get used to this sort of
thing, or does it grow you?'
Grow on you; Good God. it ovcrwhems
YOU. till You are ready to go mad!'
- Nou must have some pretty strong reason for
staying here Mr.. Sargent remarked quietly.
"Porhaps so; as vou have for stopping off
here. the other replied no less quietly, his EYES
for the first time Getting those of the detective
in a fixed, steady gaze.
Just then the instrument awoke and demanded
the operators attention for several minutes, dur