The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1907-11-07

II was the best appeal could have
made.
You're right" she said. I'm an
old fool, and you've got the real sand.
You're the first one except Henry Will
ton that's trusted me In forty years,
and you won't be sorry for it, my boy.
You owe me one, now. Where would
you have been tonight II l hadn't
had the light doused on ye?"
"Oh, that was your doing. was It!
thought my time had come"
"Oh, / was sure you'd know what to
do. 1t was your best chance"
Then viii you help me now?"
The old crone considered, and her
face grew sharp and cunning In its
look.
What can l do?"
Tell me. In Gods name, where |
stand. What is this dreadful mystery
Who is this boy? Why is he hidden
and why do these people want TO
know where he is? Who is behind ME
and who threatens me with death?"
burst out with these question pas
sionately, almost frantically. This was
the first time l had had chance to de
mand them Of another human being.
Mother Borton gave me leer.
II wish could tell you. my dear,
but don't know"
you mean you dare not tell me,
said boldly. "You have done me a
great service. but II am to save my
self from the dangers that surround
me must know more. Can't you see
that"
yes" she nodded. you're in a
hard row of stumps, young man."
"And you can help me-"
well. l WILL" she said, suddenly
softening again. Il took shine to
you when you came in, an l says to
myself, I'll save that young fellow.
an l done it. And I'll do more. Mr..
Wilton was a fine gentleman. an I'd
do something. II could, to get even
with those mur6erin' gutter-pickers
that laid him out on a slab"
She hes:tated and looked around
at the shadows thrown by the flick
ering candle.
"wer?" l said impatiently. who
is the boy. and where is he?"
Never you mind that young. fell
low. Let me tell you what know.
Then maybe Wen have time to so
into things | don't know"
II was OF no use 10 urge her.
bowed my assent to her terms.
I'm name no Names" she said.
my throat can be cut as quick as
yours. and maybe quicker"
"The ones that has the boy means
all right. They're rich. The ones as
= looking for the boy is all wrong
They'll be rich II they gits him."
Howe"
why, | don't know" said Mother
Borton. I'm tellin' you What Henry
Wilton told me"
This was maddening. l began to
suspect that she knew nothing after
all.
DO you know where he is?" asked.
taking the questioning into my own
hands.
"No"-sullenly.
"Who is protecting him.
Il don't know"
"Who is trying 10 get him."
Its that snakeeyed Tom Terrill
that's leading the hunt, along with
Darby Meeker; but they amt doing It
for themselves"
rs Doddridge Knapp behind them?
The old woman looked at me sud
denly in wilheyed alarm.
SSH" she whispered. "Doat
name no Names"
"And is this all you know" ! asked
in disappointment.
Mother Borton tried to remember
some other point.
Il don't see how It's going 10 keep
a knife from between my ribs com
plalued.
You keep out OF the way Of Tom
Terrin and his hounds, and you1l be
all risht. / reckon"
Am ! supposed to be the head
man in this business?'
Yes"
no are my mem
There's Wilson and Fitzhugh and
Porter and Brown" aud she named
ten or a dozen more.
And what is Dicky"
Its smart mn as can put his
finger on Dicky Nahl,' said Mother
Borton spitefully.
"Nahl is his Manner
yes. And I've seen him hobnob
with Henry Wilton. and I've seen him
thick as thieves with Tom Terrilf, and
which he's thickest with the devil
himself couldn't tell. call him Slip
pSry Dicky."
why did he bring me here to-
night?"
Il hearn there's orders come TO
change the place-the boys place. you
know. You was to tell 'em where the
new one was to be, reckon, but Tom
Terrill spoiled things. He's lightning.
is Tom Terrill. But guess he got
1t all out OF Dicky, though where
Dicky got it the Lord only knows"
This was all that was to be had
from Mother Borton. Either she
knew no more, or she was sharp
enough 10 hide a knowledge that