The Miller press. [volume] (Miller, S.D.) 190?-current, 1907-01-03

His voice had risen to a cry: the
other sprang at him, and clapped a
shaking hand over his mouth.
"Stop-stop, for heavens sake!" he
cried, huskily. Are you mad, Mas
ter Dandy-are you mad? | tell you it
can be hidden; no man knows Of 1t but
myself. and Miss Barnshaw will say
! nothing"
81 tell you it shall not be hidden"
cried Philip, impatiently. "Why--if
any one found you here, digging a
grave for it-don't you understand
that suspicion would fall upon you?"
Il don't care about that, Master
Dandy" he cried. Better me than
you. Let them think what they will,
Master Dandy; only get you gone, be-
fore the hue and cry is raised"
mol shall not go, replied Philip,
speaking quite calmly. MY dear boy,
/ O can't understand that 1t doesn't
matter one little bit-now. 1t has
been a blunder and a muddle from first
to last; Fate has proved too strong
for me; I'll struggle against it no
longer"
'But, Master Dandy" urged the
eager voice, won't you let me hide it
at least, for the moment? 1t will
give you time to get away-time to
hide"
II tell you I shall not hide" said
Philip, quietly. Come away; l won't
have you mixed up in the business.
Why, dear lad"-he dropped his hand
| for a moment on the others shoulder
there's a sweet girl whom you love,
and who loves you, I'll be bound, no
matter what she may say. Your life
is straight before you; you mustn't
throw it away on me-"
He turned and went in the direction
he had come, looking behind him once,
to be certain that the other was fol-
lowing. Suddenly remembering that
he was like a blind man, cropping his
way, and having no desire to go near
| Madge Branshaw's house again, he
turned abruptly, when he had gone a
! little way, and motioned to Harry 70
go before him.
Lead the way" he said, in the old
tone OF authority-'T want TO be sure
that you don't go back again.
Harry passed him. with bent head,
and walked in front. And in that or
der they came to Chatter Hall.
Once inside the home which he felt
was rightly his, and surrounded by the
quiet and luxurious repose Of it, the
mood Of the man changed. He was
| but young, and life was very, very
sweet. Quixotism, self-sacrifice, des-
pair-all these things went to the
winds. He was a hunted man, playing
a desperate game with chance, with
| his life for the state.
Pretence was gone, and he was more
| lonely even than before. The one be-
1 ing who had seemed to turn to him
naturally avoided him now with hor-
ror as one whose hands were stained
with blood. Whatever hope might
have been in his mind Of escaping
was gone; he no longer masqueraded
in another mans garments and in an
other mans place-he was battling for
his life.
Every moment that I stay here
makes the danger greater; that thing
may be found, and they may be upon
me, like bloodhounds. at any moment.
l must clear myself; l must, if neces-
sary undo all that / have done. and
declare who I really am. But, if stop
here, / shall be caught like a rat in a
trap. / want time to think-time to
plan out what l must do--what's
that?"
Some one had knocked softly at the
door. After a moments pause Philip
| Chatter, in a voice, called out:
Come ln!"
A servant entered, bearing a letter.
Il did not know you were in, sir" he
said. "This came while you were out"
Philip Chater--doubly suspicious
now-iooked at the man c%uriously as
| he ooh the letter. Was it possible
that some one had watched his going
out-had even seen Harry going in the
| direction of the wood first, carrying
the spade for his awful work? The
spade! 1t had been left behind, in that
half-dug grave; there had been no
| time ever to think of it.
Almost mechanically he tore open
the envelope and unfolded tn esheet
within 1t:
Dear Sir: 1t is imperative that you
should see me at once. | use the term
' Imperative" because it is necessary
that there should be no delay about
the matter. Permit me to add that
the business has reference to the
draft, recently paid into my hands,
and drawn by a Mr.. Arthur B~arnshaw.
I must ask you. If quite convenient TO
yourself, to be good enough to call
upon me, at my Office, tomorrow
CThursday) before noon. | IN dear
sir, your obedient servant,
q I~saacson"
The letter bore an address in the
neighborhood OF Old Broad street.
London, and was dated that day.
Philip Chatter read the letter through
three times, without coming any
nearer to its meaning. Again. the
phrase, drawn by a Mr.. Arthur Barn.
shaw" was more puzzling than any