Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1907-01-24

I've come 10 the right man. You
don't know me; but / know you and
knew Bella Lee"
BARLEY Bradstone drew short
breath ana put his hand to his heart.
You knew Bella Lee" he said.
What has that to do with me-"
Seth laughed unpleaSanty
"A good deal, should think, seem
as You was 'er 'usband."
BARLEY Rradstone's face went
hvid, and he looked from side to side
like the hunted man he was.
How do YOU know that?" he de-
manded. Who told youG"
Il saw YOU married." replied Seth
coolly, Come, Mister BradStone,
don't put my back up, I'm rather
tired Of this game o chevyiu YOU IN
to london and back again, and | want
TO come to business know moro
about YOU ana Bella than you think
for
Go on said BARLEY Bradstane
Tel me what YOU know or think YOU
know"
81 WILL" sad Seth. Il know more
than the judge and jury as 'uu Try AIR.
Faradeane, and by God, I'll ten en-
il you don't make it worth my while To
hold my tongue"
Bauley Bradstone stood with Mis-
eyes upon the ground, his lips tightly
compressed, He seemed to feel the
meshes of huge, wide-spreading net
closing round him, Whichever way
he turned he was met by some ohsta-
Gle to his escape.
And this man who had unseen
tracked him step by step throughout
the day, what did he know? And how
much" At all costs he must learn
this.
He opened the door Come in.
side, he said; and leading the way 10
the library and turning up the gas,
looked keenly at Seths dark face and
slouching figure. You say, my man.
that you know something about tnis
murder Do you know who did it,"
Il do " said Seth seating himself on
a corner of the costly inlaid table and
kicking his leg TO and fro in an mso,
lent fashion.
"You dol" said BARLEY Bradstonc.
with a long breath, 81 was just 60.
ing to offer hundred pounds reward
for such information as would lead to
the discovery Of the man who com.
mitted the crime. will give you that
hundred pounds now il YOU will tell
me what you know.
Seth stare, at him, then smacked
his leg and laughed
"a hundred pounds, | should think
so! If you was to ask me, | should
consider 1t cheap at a thousand, and
that's the figure | mean to ask for t.
And If yer takes my advice, tho adj
vice of man as don't wish YOU no
particular harm, you'll hand over that
thousand pounds, and say no more
about it. You can rely on me, | can
keep my mouth shut I'm sick o. Eng
land, and I'm ready to go wherever
you like and keep there"
BARLEY Bradstone remained silent
for a moment or two, then he said,
husldly:
"Supposing your information were
worth the money, my man, could not
give 1t to you"
Seth stared and laughed incredu.
lously.
BARLEY Bradstone bit his lip
What ! tell you is true. | can no
more give you thousand pounds than
You can give 1t to me-
Now, guvnor, come no CANNON. -
said Seth, impatiently. "If you've
got any sense, any gratitude you'd
fork out the money and say thank
you What's a thousand pounds when
a mans life's at stake!"
BARLEY Bradstone shuddered and
sank into chair.
Il tell you, | can't do It," he said
seth looked round at the handsomely
furnished room, at the costly hang
ings, the rows on rows of elegantly
bound books, and silver knick-knacks
on the tables, the carved oall and bcv-
eled mirrors, and laughed again
1T won't do, guv'nor" he said.
Look zee here" and he leaned for.
ward and shook his fist in BARLEY
Bradstone's face, I'm not to be triilcd
with. Give the money asks yer I3r,
or go and give the police the informa-
ton ! have offered you They'll yay
for it, and be only TOO glad"
BARLEY BradstOne rose and nerveG