Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1907-05-09

face and bushy eyebrows who had lain
on the bench outside the inn on the
day he had been making inquiries into
Becca South's disappearance.
Guilfor,l Berton drew back and pom
dered, clutching the pistol hard and
fast, and holding his breath.
That the man was a thief or an or
binary housebreaker he had no doubt
but he was puzzled to account for his
presence there. No burglar worthy of
his salt, he thought, would break into
so mean and unpromising place as
the cottage, uniess he were sure of
finding valuables, and it was not likely
that any burglar would imagine that
sensible man would trust his money
or jewels to a crazy old desk.
Why had he broken into the cot
tage tonight of all nights-the night of
the owners return-when he might
have done SO during that owners alb
Isence?
He could find no solution to the
enigma. Suddenly the suspicion
swept over him like breath of ice
that the man had come to find out
something about-about Becca South.
and the sweat broke out upon his
forehead.
But he thrust the suspicion from
him. Even If he had done so he
would not have taken the trouble to
break open desk What was there
In it? He tried to think, but could
remember nothing but some papers, of
no Importance, referring to business
of the estates, which he had flung in
carelessly from time to time. There
was absolutely nothing there which
could repay any burglar, however
hard up for his trouble.
BY this time-a period of only few
minutes had elapsed-the man Fur
long, for it was he, had opened the
desk, and was turning over the con-
tents. They were, as has been stated,
papers of no interest to any one
least of all to stranger, but suddenly
Guilford Berton saw the man start,
and, catching up something-a piece
of cardboard 1t looked like-hold it
near the candle.
Whatever 1t was he seemed absorbed
in it, and Berton seized the suspicious
moment, and quietly slid round the
door and presented the pistol at the
mans head.
Move a step and fire." he said.
The man raised his head and did not
move, but his hand slid into the
pocket of his coat. and remained,
there as he said quietly and slowly:
Don't fire, Mr. Berton I've got
you covered by revolver in my
pocket, and I'm a dead shot"
| The next instant he had whipped
out revolver and presented it at
Guilford Bertcn.
! Now" he said, deliberately as be-
fore, I'VE are on all tours, and |
fancy my weapon is rather q better
one than that horse affair of yours
Shake your finger on that trigger, and
you are dead man."
Gui'ford Berton lowered his pistol
and confronted his adversary with a
white face.
What are you doing here?"
Mr.. Furlong kept his revolver
pointed with deadly precision.
Put that thing down and keen
quiet, and I'll tell YOU"
Almost mechanically the pistol was
laid on the table
Still keeping the revolver pointed.
Furlong took up the pistol and thrust
1t into his pocket. then he laid his re-
volver on the table within the reach
of his hand, and looked at Guilford
Berton steadily
CHAPTER XXI.
The two men faced each other,
Gui ford Berton quivering with rage
intensified by it's impotence, the man
Furlcng cain and coolly watchful
Guilferd Berton would have liked to
spring upon him, but there was some
thing IN the eyes shining from under
the bushy brows which warned him
that at his first movement its owner
would without hesitation put bullet
into him.
What are you doing here" We
asked, finding his voice at last.
Fur,ong smiled grimly, and nodde,
To the desk
That's rather an unnecessary ques-
ton, isn't it? | was looking for
curiosities. when you came in and in,
terrupted me-"
You are an impudent scoundre.
and II you think because | am unarm-
ed you will get off scot-free you are
mistaken
Tall talk won't count for much.
seeing how matters are fixed between
us. It's waste of time to threaten
me, Mr.. Berton. Come. you're a SEN
sible nan; just face the music and
take things easy. Just try and think
I'm friendly visitor dropped in unex-
pectedly: it's rather late. it's true
Take yourself on"
That you may follow me and