Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-03-31
Rolfe replied. "It is whether any e

Rolfe replied. ut is whether any eff
| fort of mine can be successful"
Yes; l know. l admit, Rolfe, that
was fool. l ought to have listened
to you when you first told me of his
temperance, and l ought to have ap-
preached him and purchased his 81
lence. 1 thought myself shrewd, and
my cautiousness has been my undo
ing"
From the little know, 1 fear that
the purchase of the fellows silence
is now out of the question. A week ago
1t could have been effected, but now
he has cast all thought of himself to
the winds, and his only object is re-
venge."
Revenge upon myself" sighed the
old man, his face growing tri1e
paler as he foresaw what terrible
Vengeance was within the power of that
shabby stranger "Ah! know. He will
be relentless. He has every reason to
be if what has been told him had
been true. man lied-the man who
is dead Therefore the truth the
truth that would save my honor and
my life-can never be told" he added
with a desperate look upon his coun-
tenance.
"Then you have been made the vic
tim of a liar?" Rolfe asked.
"Yes-of man, who, jealous of my
prosperity, endeavored to ruin me by
making a false statement. But his re-
ward came quickly. I retaliated with
my financial strength and in year
he was ruined. To recoup himself he
committed forgery was arrested and
six months later died in prison-but
without confessing that what he had
said concerning me was foul inven-
ton. John Adams believed it and
because Of that, among other things,
is my bitterest enemy
"But is there no way of provin 6
the TRUTH" asked Rolfe, surprised at
the story.
i "None. The fellow put forward in
support Of his story proofs which he
had forged Adams naturally believed
they were genuine
4 "And where are those proofs now?"'
Probably in Adams possession. He
has no doubt boarded them for use at
the moment of his triumph"
Rolfe did not speak for several
moments.
"a week ago those proofs might
L
round sum"
could they not be purchased now?
From the mans appearance he Is
, penniless."
''Not so poor as you think If what
I've heard is true he is in possession
/ of funds. His shabbiness Is only as
sumed. Have you anv knowledge OF
q certain man named Lyle-a short
man silently deformed'
, "Iyle," gasped his EMPLOYER. "Dc
you mean Leonard Lyle? What dc
you know of him?"
saw him in the company of Adams
1t is he who supplies the latter with
,, money"
lyle" cried Statham. his eyes
clarin@ in amazement. 'Lyle here
in London?''
Gle was here week ago. Yo,
know him?"
"Know hip-yes!" answered the ole
millionaire, hoarsely. care you Ger
!, tain that he has become Adams
friend?"
81 saw them together with my owl
eyes. They were sitting in the CAT,
5 Royal. in Regent street Adams wa!
in evening dress. and wore an oper;
E hat. They'd been to the Empire to
e gether"
/, why didn't you tell me all this be
4 fore?" asked Statham, in tone o
! blank despair Il see now all tn
I difficulties that have arisen. TIL
= pair have united to wreak thei
vengeance upon me. and 1 am power
J. less and unprotected"
q ''But who is this man Leonar,
n Lyle?" inquired the secretary.
= "A man without a conscience. H
n was a mining engineer. and is now
l. sl,ppose-a short, white-moustache,
l. man, with a slightly bumped bacl
/ and squeaky voice.
y "The same"
/ "Why didn't you tell me this be
l. fore? # Lyle knows Adams. the pos
e ton is doubly dangerous he exclain
ed, in abject dismay. No he added
S bitterly: there can be no wav out.
n 81 said nothing because you had re
u fused to believe me, | continued to re
0 main watchful in your interests an
y those Of the firm. ! spent severa
6 evenings in watching their move
ments."
q "Ah! you are loyal to me. know
e Rolfe You shall not regret this. Hit
I. erto I have not treated you WELL blu