Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1908-04-14

biography og ye-which didn't mention
very much. But 1t was the real Sam
Statham-and Sam Statham was my
friend of long ago."
Most extraordinary" remarked
Levi, who had been smoking quitely
and listening to the conversation. 81
had no idea of all this!"
There are many incidents in my
career, Levi, Of which you are un-
aware" remarked his master drily.
81 have no doubt" retorted the ser
want in a tone quite as dry as that Of
his masters. This was Duncan Mac
gregor's first visit to Park Lane, and
Levi did not approve of him. He al
ways looked askance at any friend of
Mr. Samuel's Of the old days. Every
body who had ever known him in the
unknown and struggling period, now
claimed his acquaintance as his init
mate friend, and various and varied
were the ruses adopted in order to en-
deavour to obtain an interview.
| He suspected this hairy Scot-whose
bravery in his youth had saved Sans
life-or working for his own ends.
This is a strange story Of yours,
bullCdll, Iu6
| few minutes later, his eyes fixed upon
the seated man-"so strange that
should not believe it, but for one
| thing"
"An' what's that?"
f, "Other information in my possess
| ion goes to prove that your surmise is
actually correst, and that your appre-
| hension has foundation. l know that
Adam is in London. I've seen him!"
can he's seen you-eh?" cried Mac
gregor, staring up in alarm.
| Yes, he's seen me-"
| did he speak to ye?"
"No. He watched me through the
window from yonder pavement out
side"
A silence fell in that warm room
where the blinds were still down to
exclude the sun, silence unbroken
save by the buzzing Of the flies and
the, solemn ticking of the clock.
At last the Scot spoke.
"He means mischief Depend on it,"
81 quite believe he does,' Statham
admitted
That is why We should act at once" )"
Levi chinned in.
"And perhaps by a premature move
spoil the whole of our chance of VIC
tory!" remarked the millionair, very
thoughtfully.
Remember that Adam holds very
strong cards in the game" the butler
urged, knocking the ash slowly from
his cigar Surely it was queer un-
usual scene, this conference of three!"
II have suspected something for
some time past, Levi" was his mas
ter's response. "And I took steps to
combat my enemies; but unfortunate
ly, | was not sufficiently wary, and
l failed"
What, mon!' gasped the man from
Glasgow; "ye don't say ye're at the
mercy of those devils?'
II tell you, Macgregor, that my posi-
tion is more insecure than even you
believe it to be- was the response, in
low voice, almost of despair.
Levi and Duncan exchanged glances.
The millionaire's words were some
what enigmatical but the truth was
apparent. Samuel Statham was in fear
Of some revelation which could be
made by that shabby stranger whom
he had seen idling at the Park rail-
ings.
"Tell me, Macgregor. Does Adam
know you?"
NO"
you've seen him, and you know
him."
Perfectly weel. kept ma eye on
him when he didn't dream that any
body was nigh him."
'And what you told me in the city
you are prepared to stand by?"
The Scot put out his big hands, say
ing:
Mr.. statham, what I've told ye ]
stick to-
Duncan" said the great man, clasp
ing the hand offered him. you were
my friend once-my best friend-and
you will be so again"
''If yell let me be-" answered the
other warmly. Statham could read a
mans innermost character at a
glance. He was seldom, if ever, mis-
taken. He looked into Macgregor's
eyes, and saw the truth and friend
ship there.
AS Levi watched the two men his
lip curled slightly. He was a cynic,
and did not approve of this outburst
of sentimentality on the part of his
master. Samuel Statham, the man of
millions and the controller Of colossal
interests, should, he declared within
himself, be above such an exhibition
of his own heart.
I is it not strange" remarked Stat
ham ,as though speaking to himself,