The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1907-11-04

crimey Until that was made clear |
could not hope to piece together the
scraps of evidence into a solid struc.
ture of proof. And what motive
could there be that would reconcile
the Doddridge Knapp who sought the
life OF Henry Wilton. with the Dodd-
ridge Knapp of this morning. who
was ready to engage him in his con
fidential business? And had | the
right to accept any part in his bust
ness?
Fatigue and loss OF sleep deepened
the detection Of mind that oppressed
me with these insistent questions. and
rs I vainly struggled AGAINST il. car
risd me at last into the oblivion 0f
dreamless slumDcr
The next | knew WAS awak.ng 10
the sound of breaking glass m was.
dark but for feeble light ,bat came
from the window. Every bone In my
body ached from the crampCl position
in which | had slept. and il scoM .
an age before | could rouse myself 10
act. 1t was. howcvcr. but a second
before | was on my feet. revolver ia
hand. with the desk between 4ne and
a possible assailant
Silence. threatening. oppressive
surrounded me as | stood listening.
Watching. for the next move.
Il thought the transom was open.
said low voice. which stin seemed
20 be struggling with suppressed
laughter.
Il guess It woke him up" said an.
other and harsher voice. Il heard d
noise in there"
You're certain he's there?" asked
the FIRST voice with another ohuckle.
sure. Dicky. saw him go IN.
and Porter aad have taken turns 90
watch ever since
Well it's time ne came out" said
Dieky. He cant be asleep after that
racket. Say" ne called. Haryr
What's t. 2 matter with you? II you're
dead let is know"
They appeared friendly, but | hes
tated in framing an answer.
Wen have to break down the
door, | guess" said Dicky. Some
thing must have happened" And a
resounding kick shook the panel.
Hold on" l cried What's
wanted?"
oh" said Dicky sarcastically.
You've come 10 life again. have
your"
well. I'm not dead yet"
Then strike a light and let us in.
And take a look at that reminder
you'll find wrapped around the rock
heaved through the transom.
thought 1t was open" And Dicky
went on into another series OF
chuckles in appreciation of his mis-
take.
"All right" | said. I was not en-
tirely trustful, and after / had lighted
the gas-jet picked up the stone that
lay among the fragments Of glass. and
unwrapped the paper. The sheet bore
only the words: a a
AT Borton's, at midnight.
Richmond"
This was the name OF the agent OF
the Unknown, who had sent the other
note. Dicky and his companion must
then be protectors instead Of enemies.
FASTENED TO unlock the door, and in
walked my two visitors,
The first was a young man, tall.
well-made, with a shrewd. good-hu-
mored countenance, and a ready. con
fident air about him. ! had no trou-
bic in picking him out as the amused
Dicky. The other was a black-bearded
giant. who followed stolidly in the
wake OF the younger man.
You've led me a pretty chase"
said Dicky. III 1t hadn't been for
Pork Chops here, shouldn't have
found you till the cows come home
We'll, what's up now?" ] asked.
"Why, you ought TO know said
Dicky with evident surprise. But
you'd better be hurrying down to
Borton's. The gang must be there by
now"
I could only wonder who Borton
might be, and where his place was.
and what connection he might have
with the mystery. as Dicky took me
by the arm and hurried me out into
the darkness. The chill night air
served to nerve instead Of depress my
spirits. as the garrulous Dicky uncon-
sciously guided me TO the meeting
place, joyously narrating some anus
ing adventure OF the day, while the
heavy retainer stalked in silence be-
hind.
Down near the foot of Jackson
street, where the smell OF bilge-water
and the wash of the sewers grew
stronger, and the masts OF vessels
could Just be seen in the darkness
outlined against the sky, Dicky sud-
denly stopped and drew me into
doorway. Our retainer disappeared at
the same instant. and the street was
deserted. Then out OF the
night the shape OF man approached
with silent steps.
"Five-sixteen." croaked Dicky.
The man gave a visible start.
"Sixteen-five." he croaked Ia re-
turn.
ANY signs?' whispered Dicky.
Six men went upstairs across the