The sun., 1907-04-07
III


not quiet down at the works. The men re-
NAMED sullenand idle; there were minor dis
orders which kept up the tension Of alarm.
At no place in town was this alarm greater
than at the Watching home. where the widow
reiterated Il told you So and the doctor
multiplied instances Of sudden and violent
death.
Such talk could not fail to have It's effect
upon the two servants, and one morning
they both were missing.
Il shall drive over to town and see what
can do at the intelligence office,' said Mrs.
Watching. won't you como along,
Iouise1 hate to leave you alone"
But Louise demurred with a smile and
blush. No, she was not at all afraid; who
would want to harm her OF all persons in the
worlu?
Besides, she had something particular
to do II they must know 1t she was ex-
pecting letter from Jack Bascom in tn
noon mail, and she wanted to answer it
| at once 80 that the dear fellow might hear
from her by night.
Whereupon Dr. Prantz suggested that
he would have Hans, his man OF all work.
stop at the Office and bring whatever mail
came at noon TO the house.
"And you come over to the ONCE and
! take pot luck with me, doctor said Mr..
| Foulk in the same spirit Of helpfulness.
-The watchmans wife will pick up some
sort Of luncheon for us.
| And so il was on all sides agreed
At half past II the doctor came to the
office and showed his appreciation for the
food by attacking it with a sort Of wolfish
Rreediness which seemed TO Mr.. Foulk to
have in it more Of the pleasure Of getting
than OF eating. When he had cracked
| and crunched the last bone in his sharp
| teeth he glanced out OF the window on the
factory yard and the main road beyond.
| There ia old Hans returning from the
house" he said Then he must have
found Miss Louise safe and sound But
look that gang of men at the gate they
seem ugly-they've been up to some mis-
chief"
! Nothing other. fancy, than some NOR Q
or less good natured raillery with the old
fellow for not being on their side,' replied
Mr.. Foulk indiferently.
you are too easy going. my friend"
persisted the doctor; you fail to appreciate
properly the responsibility Of your posi-
ton"
'Iapprcciate this good cigar. and the COM
fort of my position. assure you
IF we're in yopr place. would be out
and around
IF you we're in my place you would rattle
around"
bah! You think | don't know anything?
You treat me like a fool. Let me tell you,
Mr.. Manager. if you knew what had heard
this very morning you wouldn't be 30 arro-
giant. so insulting"
Some mares nest has been discovered.
hey?"
a plot of the men 20 strike terror by a
blow worse than the last. That is the truth
simple. solid, sterling"
Like German silver, no doubt
"Ah. you enrage me; such block such a
dolt; when at this very moment Miss Louise
may be weltering in her blood There Is a
plot, ! say!"
That's lie. a foul Iiel' cried Mr. Foulk,
banging his fist on the table, and then
springing TO his feet, 80 strengthened, 40
transformed from putty into steel. that the
doctor first gazed on him in wonder and
| then dropped his eyes in fear. There is no
plot.
-On the contrary came TO an agreement
with the men this morning. without any
| difficulty, as soon az | really wanted to;
mark that They return TO work to-mor-
row, as they might have returned week
ago, il ! hadn't been determined to force
your hand.
"Let me tell you that bad temper is a
false asset for a villain. Twice it has
betrayed you once when it led you TO sug-
gest the means by which poor Watching
was murdered. and now, when il turned
| you from your crude attempt to influence
me to revealing what you hoped to have
me, OF my own free will. find.
Miss Louise weltering in her blood?
| II she Is. then there is such a thing as guilty
foreknowledge. Now | will go up to the
house. but not alone Up with you and
march! II you resist by a word. look -
see. my hand in my side pocket holds a
revolver I'll shoot you like a dog"
Like dog. truly, looked the doctor as he
skunk down the road by the managers
side his head hanging and wabbling with
| terror, his mouth loose and drivelling. his
teeth alone disclosing the cruel and savage
soul within.
Az the bend by the house they stopped
on thewOrd from Mr.. Foulk. again snjoining
silence. A carriage was coming down the
road, driYen ~ woman. "A shs drew
~