The Red Cloud chief., 1907-01-11

tl4attS Stt III lIt 'NNN VI bi''hNi ~
cold upon him, chilling his last at.
tempt ut remonstrance What do you
want me to dog he substituted in an
ordinary voice.
The words steadicd Chilcotc. He
laughed n little. The laugh was still
shaky, but it was pitched in Il lower
key.
~"You-you're quite right TO pull me
up, We have no time TO waste. 1t
must he / O'clock" He pulled out his
watch. then walked to the window and
stood looking down into the shadowy
court. "IIow quiet you are here!" lie
said. Then abruptly a new thought
struck him, and he wheeled back into
the room. "Loder," he said quickly
.Ioder, | have an idea! While you
are me, why shouldn't ! be you? Why
shouldn't | he John Loder instead of
the vagrant we contemplated? 1t GOV.
ers everything: it explains everything.
It's magnificent! I'm amazed we new
q thought Of it before"
Ioder was still beside the desk. II
thought of it." he said without look
ing back.
"And didn't suggest itT"
NO
"WhyT'
Loder said nothing, and the other
cotored.
jealous Of your reputation?' he
said satirically.
II have none to be jealous Of"
Chilcote laughed disagrecably. Then
YOU aren't so far gone in philosophy
At l thought. You have a niche in
your own good opinion"
Again Loder was silent; then he
smiled. "You have an oddly correct
perception OF times" he said. Il sup.
pose I have had Il lame sort of pride
in Keeping my name clean, but pride
like that is out of fashion, and I've got
to float with the tide" He laughed
n short laugh that Chilcote had heard
once or twice before. and, crossing
the room, he stood beside his WIS.,
tor. after all" he said, what busl-
ness have ! with pride, straight or
lame? Have my identity. if you want
il. When all defcnses have been
broken down one barrier won't save
the town. Laughing again, he laid
his hand on the others arm. Come
he said, give your orders. capitu,
late"
An hour later the two men passed
from Lodcr's bedroom. where the fnal
arrangements had been completed,
back into the sitting room. Loder
came first in faultless evening dress
His hair was carefully brushed, the
clothes he wore fitted him perfectly
To any glance, critical or casual, he
was the nan who had mounted the
stairs and entered the rooms earlier
in the evening. Chllcote's manner OF
walking and poise of the head seemed
to have descended upon him with Chill
cote's clothes. He came into the room
hastily and passed to the desk.
81 have no private papers" he said
$50 l have nothing to lock up. Every
thing can stand as It is. A woman
named Robins comes in the morning
TO clean up and light the fire; other
wise you must shift for yourself. No
body will disturb you. Quiet, deat
quiet. is about the one thing you ca
count IN"
NIllNONte llalll 'NilliiS III NV ''NA
way, made an attempt to laugh, O
the two he was noticenbly the NOR
embarrassed. In Loder's well worI
well brushed tweed suit he felt strand
ed on his own personality, bereft fo
the moment of the familiar accessOrie
that helped to cloak deficiencies an
keep the wheel of conventionality con
fortably rolling. He stood unpleasant
" conscious of himself, unable I
shape his sensations even in though
lie glanced at the fire, at the tabl,
finally at the chair on which he ha
thrown his overcoat before enterln
the bedroom. At the sight of the coa
his gaze frightened, the aimlessnes
forsook him, and he gave an eKclami
ton of relief.
by Jove!' he said. 81 clean To-
got"
"What?" Loder looked round.
''The rings" lie crossed to the cot
and thrust his hand into the poke
''The duplicates arrived only this afte
xoon-the nick of time, ehT' lie spoil
fnst, his fingers searching busily. o
supation OF any kind came as a boon.
Loder slowly followed him, and (,
the box was brought to light he lean'
forward interestedly.
"As l told you, n Is the copy of .
~d signet ring, the other a plain bar
"a plain gold band like a weddlI
Ang." ChilcOte laughed as he place