Waterbury evening Democrat., 1907-12-17

with the bottle of machine oil on a table in the center of the room. Rich ard thanked him, seated himself again and began tearing the handkerchief in to narrow strips, while Bills stood watching him, his human curiosity be- ginning to get the better even of his anger
 "Sit down, Cardinal" said Richard pleasantly. You have twenty min utes to wait, so why hurry? I have found that morris chair to be very comfortable indeed. You were enjoy ing it when I caris in. Don't let me spoil your afternoon. Try it again."
 fine valet. still wondering and un- certain, took the indicated seat, mar rowly watching his master while the Texan crossed the room, returning to the table with q small screwdriver and a formidable revolver. He seated him self and began taking the weapon to pieces, oilirg each part carefully and then running a greasy rag through the barrel. Bills became more and more interested h this singular and to him unfamiliar proceeding, but Richard of fered no explanation of his unusual Oc equation. After five minutes of utter silence the valet could stand the strain no longer.
 "Er-beg pardon, sir" he asked. and the tremor in his voice indicated his uneasiness, but wot are you a-doin' of, sir?"
 "Cleaning my gun" returned Rich ard laconically. What did you think was doing g-shaving?"
 Ooh" said Bills and lapsed into silence.
 Richard began to whistle. It was a merry. happy little tune, but somehow 1t got on the valets nerves. His mind commenced 10 work and draw infer ences. The gun had very unsympa- thetic look, which was lessened in no degree by the six enormous cartridges that the worker placed before him on the table. He wished that the Texan had not placed himself so as to com mand the only exit from the room. Presently the nervous Bills spoke again The effect of the brandy was wearing off rapidly on account of his growing fear.
 "You-you don't expect to ave no immeiit use for that ere thing, do you. Mir. Williams?"
 Don't know" said Richard uncon- cernedly. "I might, and then. again I might not It depends. Pretty little toy. isn't it." Bills licked his lips and said nothing. Tine Texan continued: "You see. always try to keep it in working order. because you can never tell when you've got to whip it out and get down to real enjoyable work Why, rou really wouldn't believe it, Bills. but l haven't shot a man since loft Texas-two whole weeks" he added despondently. shook his head and then began dripping oil in the pis- tol's lock.
 'I suppose" said the valet, by way of filling in the gap of another pause, "I suppose that down were you live. sir. they-they don't mind-er-mur- derin' of people, Mir. Williams, sir?"
 "Shucks." laughed Richard. Whats man or two? A bang-a yell-and it's all over. Of course they die hard sometimes. but that's their affair"
 Ths irresponsible person took up his whistling once more. while the mug gle of his carelessly held gun seemed to point consistently at the pit of the valet's stomach. in which. by the way, there was growing q queerly respon- sive feeling.
 "Eeg pardon, sir, but-but it isn't loaded. is it?''
 Not yet" smiled Richard. "I'll at tend to that later. Besides. I wouldn't hurt you. my boy; no. not for E300- cash down"
 The sum was not large one. yet the particular amount seemed tO grate upon the servants sensitiveness. He cast q longing glance toward the door. but the Texan was already filling the chambers of his revolver. SO Bills per force sat still and watched him. expert encing a separate and distinct spasm as each cartridge nestled into Its crib Richard laughed softly, as at some plcqsurable memory.
 By the way. Friend woolsey. I dor't know why think of it just now. but a mighty funny thing happened down in Texas a couple of years ago. l had a contract with a fellOw-chap about your size and age as remember him. with q charming disregard fOT keeping promises similar to yours. He broke his contract"
 In the awkward pause which follow el tine surviving partner in tie deal drew a fine bead on the tassel Of the window curtain and smiled
 Where is he now. sir?'
 Richard shrugged his shoulders.
 "Did-did yOu kill him. sir:" feebly began the unfortunate Bills again. feel iug a sudden and unaccountabIe draft blowing on his spine.
 Well no sad Richard dreamily. T didn't That's the funny part of it. I tied him to a tree and shot away portions of him that didn't count"
 Count. sirg-
 Yes. parts that are not vital you unierstand-Such as ears and fingers and kreecaFs and things Ike that Why. yoa wouldn't believe 1t. Bills. tut you can chip away at a man for half a day if you're only careful YOu