Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-08-20
CHAPTER xxx.
Tho Verge Of Confession.

no vGT00 OF NOVI Co8lVUs
Murphy uttered one sputtering cry
Of surprise. finging his hand instinct
lively to his hip. but attempted no
more. Hampton's ready weapon was
thrusting its muzzle into the astound-
ed face, and the gray eyes cleaning
along the polished barrel held the fell
low motionless.
Hands up! Not move, Murphy!
have the drop!" The voice was low.
but stern, and the old frontiersnlan
obeyed mechanically, although his
scanned face was fairly distorted with
rage.
You, Damn you'll thought I
knew-the voice."
Yes. I am here all right. Rather
odd place for us to meet, isn't 1t? But,
you see, you've had the advantage all
these years; you knew whom you
were running away from, while was
compelled to plod along in the dark.
But I've caught up just the same, II 1t
has been long race"
What do ye-want me fer? The
look in the face was cunning.
Hold your hands quiet-hieher,
you fool! That's it. Now, don't play
with me. l honestly didn't know for
certain l did want you, Murphy, when
l first started out on this trip. l
merely suspected that might from
some things l had been told. When
somebody took the liberty OF slashing
at my back in poker-room at Glen
caid, and drove the knife into Slavfn
by mistake, I CHANGED to catch a
glimpse Of the hand on the hilt. and
there was q scar on 1t. About Is
years before, was acting as oflic'sr OF
the guard one night ut Bethune. 1t
was bright starlit night, you reraem-
Der, and Just as turned the corner Of
the old powder-house there came q
sudden fash, a report, sharp cry.
sprang forward only to fall heaellong
over dead body; but in that fash
had seen the hand grasping th's re-
volver, and there was scar OH the
back Of It, a very peculiar scar. 1t
CHANGED I had the evening previous
slightly quarreled with the officer who
was killed; l was the only person
known to be near at the time he was
shot; certain other circumstantial evf'
dence was dug up, while Slavin and
one other-no. 1t was not you--gave
some damaging, manufactured testi-
mony against me. AS result was
held guilty Of murder in the second
degree, dismissed from the army in
disgrace, and sentenced to ten years
imprisonment So. you see, it was not
exactly you have been hunting,
Murphy,-it was scar"
Murphy's face was distorted into q
hideous grin.
II notice you bear exactly that kind
OF scar, my man, and you spoke last
night as If you had some recollection
of the case"
The hooking grin expanded; into
the husky voice crept snarl Of de-
fiance. for now Murphy's courage had
come back-he was fronting flesh and
blood. "Oh, stop preachin-an' shoot
an be damned ter ye!"
you do me grave injustice, Muir
ply Your slashing at me down In
Glencaid hasn't left SO much as q
sting behind. It's completely dotted
out, forgotten. l haven't the slightest
desire to kill you, man; but do want
to clear my name Of the stain Of that
crime. l want you to tell the whole
truth about that nights work at Be-
thune, and when you have done 20.
you can go. I'll never lay firger on
you; you can 60 where you please"
"Bah!-ye amt got no prooi-agin
sides, the case is closed-Lt can't
be opened agin-by law"
You devil! I'd be perfectly justi-
fed in killing you," exclaimed Hamp-
ton. savagely.
Murphy stared at him stupidity, the
cunning of incipient insanity in his
eyes. En- whar-do We expect-me
ter say-all this pervidin', of course
Il wus fule 'nough-ter do It'll"