Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-06-06

call him, on slight acquaintance"
mo doubt Of 1t, Bates. Any time
through the Water you want to havo
him IN for a social glass. It's all right
with me-"
When plunged into the wood in
the middle OF tho noxt afternoon II
was with the definite purpose Of re-
turning 10 the upper end OF the lake
for an interview with Morgan. wba
had, so Bates informed me, a small
house back OF the cottages.
took the canoe | had chosen for
my own use from the boat.house and
padded up the lake. The air was
still warm. but the wind that blew out
OF the south tasted of rain. scanned
the water and the borders of the lake
for signs of life.-more particularly, l
may as well admit, for certain ma.
room canoe and girl in a red tam-o'.
shanter; but lake and summer cot.
tages were mine alone | landed and
began at once my search for Morgan.
There were many paths through the
woods back of the cottages and | fol
lowed several futilely before I at last
found a small house snugly hid away
in thicket of young naples.
The man I was looking for came to
the door quickly in response to my
knock
Good afternoon. Morgan"
Good afternoon, Mr.. Glenarm," he
said. taking his pipe from his mouth
the better to grin at me He showed
no sign OF surprise, and I was nettled
by his cool reception. There was,
felt. certain element of recklessness
in my visit to the house of a man who
had shown so singular an interest in
my affairs. and his cool greeting
veXed me.
Morgan" | began.
Won't you come in and rest your
self, Mr. Glenarm?" he interrupted.
II reckon you're tired from your trip
| over"
Thank you. no, snapped.
Suit yourself, Mr.. Glenarm." lie
seemed to like my name and gave il
disagreeable drawing emphasis.
Morgan, you are an informal black
guard. You have tried twice to kill
me-"
We'll call it that, If you like, and
he grnned. But you'd better cut
off one for this
| He lifted the gray fedora hat from
his head, and poked his finger through
hole in the top.
You're pretty fair shot, Mr.. Glen
arm. The fact about me ls,"-and he
winked,-"the honest truth IS, I'm all
out OF practice. Why, sir, when l saw
/ you padding out on The lake this after
noon l sighted you from the casino
half dozen times with my gun, but
! was afraid 10 risk It," He seemed
to be shaken with inner mirth. IF
I'd missed, | wasn't sure you'd be
scared to death"
For a novel diversion | heartily rec
ommend meeting with the assassin
who has. only few days or hours be-
foro. tried to murder you know of
nothing in the way of social adventure
that is quite equal to it.
Morgan, l hope you understand
that | am not responsible for any in
jury my grandfather may have inflict-
ed on you | hadn't seen him for sew
eral years before he died I was never
at Glenarm before in my life so It's a
pleasure on me"
He smiled tolerantly as | spoke.
knew-and he knew that ! did-tha at
no Ill feeling against my grandfathe,
lay back Of his interest in my affairs.
You're not quite the man your
grandfather was. Mr.. Glenarm. You'll
excuse my bluntuess, but l take 1t
that you're frank man yourself. He
was a very keen person, and, I'm
afraid, be chuckled with evident
satisfaction to himself, Tin really
afraid. Mr.. Glenarm that you're mott
There you have it, Morgan! fully
agree with you. In as dull as an
oyster; that's the reason I've called
on you for enlightenment. Consider
that I'm here under flag of truce, and
let's see If we cant come to an agree
ment"
ITS too late, Mr.. Glenarm; too late
There was time when we might have
done some business; but that's past
now. You seem like q pretty decent
fellow, too. and I'm sorry I didn't see
you sooner; but better luck next time.
We'll" I said, seeing that should
only make myself ridiculous by trying
to learn anything from him, Il hope
our little spats through windows and
on walls won't interfere with oul
pleasant social relations. And dom
hesitate to tell you,"-I was exertinf
myself to keep down my anger.-"that
II | catch you on my ground again II
fill you with lead and sink you in the
lake"
Thank you, sir" he said, with Sc
perfect an imitation of Bates voice
and manner that | smiled in spite O.
myself.
And Few, II youll promise not e
fire into my back I'll wish you sooc
day. Otherwise"
He snatched of his hat and boweG
profoundly. It'll SUIT me much better
to continue handling the case on you
own grounds" he said, as though hi
referred to a business matter. XIII
Ing q man on your own property re
auires some explaining--you may have
noticed IT."
Yes; commit most Of my murderi