Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1907-12-28
CHAPTER XVIII.
The Chase ln the Storm.

W
"A message for you, Mr.. Wilton"
said a voice suddenly from the recess
of the doorway.
Give It to me-" said.
A slip of paper was thrust into my
hand, and passed up the stairs.
I'll wait for you" said the mes
senger, and at the first gas jet that
burned at the head of the stairs l
stopped to read the address.
1t was in the hand of the Unknown,
and my fatigue and Indifference were
gone in moment. l trembled as /
tore open the envelope and read:
Follow the bearer of this note at
1890 Come alone and armed. 1t is
important"
There was no signature.
If it meant anything it meant that
1 was to meet the Unknown, and per-
haps to search the heart of the mys-
terry. had been heavy with fatigue
and drowsy with want of sleep, but at
this thought the energies of life were
once more fresh within me.
The men had waited minute for
me as read the note
Go to your rooms and get some
/ rest, 81 said. Il am called away. Trent
will be in charge, and will send word
to him if l need any of you"
They looked at me in blank protest.
you're not going alone, sir?' cried
Owens in tone Of alarm
"Oh. no. But I shall not need a
I guard" / hoped heartily that | did
} not.
I The men shook their heads doubt
! fully, and I continued:
4 "Corson will be down from the Cen
: trail station in Is or 20 minutes. Just
tell him I've been sent for and to
/ come tomorrow if he can make it in
his way"
And bidding them good night ran
! hastily down the stairs before any
of the men could frame his protest
into words
Are you ready, slr?" asked the mes
senger.
ut is close on half-past twelve"
answered. Where is she?"
ITS not far away" said my guide
evasively
l understood the danger of speech
and did not press for an answer.
We plunget down Montgomery
street in the teeth of the wind that
dashed the spray in our faces at one
moment, lulled an instant the better to
deceive the unwary and then leaped at
us from behind corners with the i'm
petuous rush of some great animal
that turned to vapor as it reached us.
The street was dark except for the
/ newspaper Offices, which glowed
bright with lights on both sides of the
way, busy with the only signs of life
that the storm and the midnight hour
had left.
With the lighted buildings behind
us we turned down California street.
Halfway down the block, in front of
the Merchants Exchange, stood a
hack. At the sight my heart beat fast
and my breath came quick.
AS we neared the hack my guide
gave short, suppressed whistle, and
passing before me, flung open the
door to the vehicle and motioned me
to enter. l had gone too far to re-
treat, and stepped into the hack. In
stead of following, the guide closed the
1 door gently; l heard him mount the
seat with the driver. and in a mo-
ment we were in motion.
Was alone? had expected to find
the Unknown, but the dark interior
gave no sign of companion. A slight
movement made me certain that some
one sat in the father corner of the
carriage. The situation became a lit
tie embarrassing. Was It my place to
speak first? I wondered. At last 1
could endure the silence no longer
quite an unpleasant evening"" | re-
marked politely.
There was a rustic ~ movement,
the sound of short gasp, and soft,
mournful voice broke on my ear
Mr.. Dudley--can you forgive me?"
The establishment l felt to hear my
own name once more-the name that
seemed now to belong 70 a former
state OF existence--was swallowed up
as the magnetic tones carried their
revelation to my mind. was stricken
dumb for a moment at the discovery
they had brought. Then gasped;
Mrs. Knapp!"
Eyes, Mrs. Knapp" she said with
mournful laugh. did you never sus.
pect?"
was lost in wonder and confusion,
and even yet could not understand.
What brings you out in this
Storm" / asked, completely mystified.
Il thought was to meet another per-
son."
'Indeed?p said Mrs. Knapp, with a
spark Of animation. -.ttiTWell. / am the
other person" -
You'll" l exclaiv I. ut last "Are
you the pTotecto ~ thasAoy? The
employer" Th& seopped, the tan
gle in mind beginning to straighten
out.