Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1907-01-28

rive come to The right man. You
don't know me; but know you and
knew Bella Lee"
BARLEY Bradstone drew a short
breath and put his hand to his heart.
You knew Bella Lee?" he said
What has that to do with me-"
Seth laughed unpleasantly
a good deal, I should think, seen
as you was 'er usband'
BARLEY Bradstone's face Went
livid, and he looked from side to side
like the hunted man he was.
How do you know that?" he de
manded who told your
4 saw you married" replied Seth
coolly. Come, Mister Bradstone.
don't put my back up. I'm rather
tired of this game O chevyin you up
to London and back again, and l want
to come to business I know more
about you and Bella than you think
for
go on" said BARLEY Bradstone
Tell me what you know or think you
know"
4 will" said Seth. Il know more
than the Judge and jury as 'ull try Mr.
Faradeane, and by God, I'll ten EN-
if you don't make it worth my while TO
hold my tongue
BARLEY Bradstone stood with his
eyes upon the ground, his lips tightly
compressed. He seemed to feel the
meshels of a huge, wide-spreading let
closing round him. Whichever way
he turned he was met by some obsta-
Gle to his escape.
And this man who had, unseen.
tracked him step by step throughout
the day, what did he know? And how
much? At all costs he must learn
this
He opened the door Come in
side, he said; and leading the way to
the library and turning up the gas,
looked keenly at Seth's dark face and
slouching figure you say, my man,
that you know something about mis-
murder Do you know who did it,"
Il do said Seth, seating himself on
"a corner OF the costly inlaid table and
kicking his leg to and fro in an inso-
lent fashion.
You dot" said BARLEY Bradstone.
with a long breath. Il was just 60
ing to offer a hundred pounds reward
for such information as would lead to
the discovery Of the man who com
mitted the crime. win give YOU that
hundred pounds now if YOU will tell
me what you know"
Seth stare at him, then smacked
his leg and laughed
"A hundred poundsi should think
so! If you was to ask me. I should
consider it cheap at a thousand, and
that's the figure I mean to ask for it.
And if Yer takes my advice, the adj
vice Of a man as don't wish you no
particular harm, you'u hand over that
thousand pounds, and say no more
about it. You can rely on me. I can
keep my mouth shut I'm sick O. Eng
land and I'm ready to go wherever
you like and keep there.
BARLEY Bradstone remained silent
for moment or two, then he SAID,
huskily:
"Supposing your information were
worth the money, my man, could not
give it to you"
Seth stared and laughed incredu-
lously
BARLEY Bradstone bit his lip,
What I tell you is true. / can no
more give you thousand pounds than
you can give it to me-
Now, guv'nor, come, no CANNON
said Seth, impatiently eff you've
got any sense, any gratitude, you'd
fork out the money and say thank
you. What's a thousand pounds when
a mans life's at stakei"
BARLEY Bradstone shuddered and
sank into chair.
Il tell you l cant do it, he said
Seth looked round at the handsomely
furnished room, at the costly hang
ings, the rows on rows of elegantly !
bound books, and silver knick-knacks
on the tables, the carved oak and bev
eled mirrors, and laughed again.
1T won't do, guv'nor," he said.
Look zee here,' and he leaned for |
ward and shook his fist in BARLEY |
face, I'm not to be trifed |
with Give the money 1 asks yer for, |
or go and give the police the informa- |
ton I have offered you. They'll pay |
for it, and be only too glad
BARLEY Bradstone rose and nerved |