Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-12-27

you compliment. Without an eXcep- tion you're the biggest liar between New York and San Antonio. It's long stretch, my friend, and I'm not fatterer."
 Bills stared at him sadly, reproach fully. but made no answer Richard continued:
 "Of course didn't see you when you left-that is, with my own eyes and didn't see you when you got off the train awhile ago. but just the same I have chain of evidence which l trust will refresh your memory. When I employed you, you came to me with the following recommendations: Dis charge him at once. He's thief. The last time it was f. 6d. and my Jeweled cigar cutter His friend. Mir. Drake of Scotland Yard, is also inquiring for his address, So much for your char acter as indorsed by your former mas ter. If l hadn't been, as you aptly express it. a boomn' ass I would have spared mysels the modification of stating the fact. l didn't discharge you and must take the consequences. But let us proceed. Next you tried to blackmail me for the purpose of ex- torting 1900 from one who had treated you squarely. Item three: Both Miss Renwycll and I saw you in whispered conversation with a-with a cock eyed tramp who was going out of the front gate. By the way, what was it you said to him."
 Bills locked uncomfortable.
 "'E awsked me for money. sir, an I told i'm to go about is business, sir.
 Richard wheeled upon the man sharp ly.
 You lie, Bills! You told me at the time that he asked directions to the station."
 "Yes. sir" answered Woolsey, flush ing to his ears. II did lie the first time sir IT didn't want to seem uncharitable inclined"
 The Texan sneered and turned upon his heel. After another contempla- tive turn up and down he once more faced the culprit.
 Look here, Bills; l haven't finished with you yet I have only told you the lightest part of it. After failing to gouge money out of me you hold conversation with a suspicious charac- ter and acknowledge that you told a lie concerning it. Next you disappear, claiming to go to New York at time when no trains were running. For the present we'll accept the story of the freight, but can look that part up later. In the meantime, while you are in New York. of course your COCK eyed friend drops in on Restmore at $ o'clock in the morning. He-er- watches in the billiard room while Il pal slips through the open window of the library, opens Mir. Renwyck's safe and drifts away with cool hundred and fifty thousand dollars worth of diamonds. Question is, Who was the nal? I don't happen to be either a de- tective or fool. but l have my own ideas. Mir Renwyck Is coming out here presently with couple of what you call 'bobbies.' l believe. l shall tell him everything about both of us and never did the humiliation Of his position so enter into Richards soul as when he had to class himself with that miserable travesty of mankind ~but 1 have an idea that you will shortly represent an expression used both here and in England, which Is to say, Collected Bills Am l clear:'
 As Richard forged this chain of evil dence link by link the valet's terror be- came pitiful tO behold His eyeballs almost started from his head. while his putty-like complexion paled to an ashy gray. His slim hands shook. his weak legs uuivcred under him. till at last he collapsed and sank upon his knees.
 My Gawd. Mir. Williams. sir" he gasacd. "YoI don't believe I done it. do you? Honest. sir. was fin Noo York. Wy. it doH't stand to reason. sir. that I'd cone back ere immejitly is I'd done it. Deed. sI-. It don't stand to any sort O reason"
 "It does" flashed Richard. You thought Td swallow that cock and bull story of ,.,urs and Je grateful Tor ;he dose. Why. you fool. the pill is as li- as q fonti,all. Well drop abSurdi- ty now and =ct down 10 business. Can vou get thosr diamonds hack: Tn vain BlIls g-"yeled at his mas. te-'s feet. protesting his innocence with sol,s ami irar~- Ii w:s no use The evE,!rnrr against him WIS too clear, and. while Richard himself was the real CulpTit tn allowing inc man to re- main at HcstrlO7s at all. still. if he ever hoEsed tO recover the stolen prop erty. :le mus; hold On Ike grim death to the bird In hanll.
 He pat pOor Biils through sort ot thfru degree. but without results fur ther than cvppiOus tears and more eOpi GUS rroieStatinns. Finally. bis patience exhausted utterly he tOpk the terrified Ealet by :be collar and dragged him tC the doaT Os tl5e bathroom.
 Co in thrrp- he commanded in q gov. tenss tons. Uhich was far mora l.~-iIss to Bills than any shout he had ever beard -Iso Tn. say. and srsl tEerr until euu8s for you, IT y0a trl to eSaT-.. by heaven. I'll Kill you. I isn't a 5ake this time It's the word O 2 ganfIerran from Texas
 The servant knew that his msste' tod rhe truth. Ss he sank down upO- { the hare. cod tfbeS. where he lay !, limp dfSfrzcsEaa until such q time a the terrible Texan Czze to prOo8unu his doom
 RFharlI szw that the bathroom via Gaw was far tos small Co admit of ria M..