The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-07-01
CHAPTER ".

Now" he said, between his
teeth, 'for Wheelock!"
CHAPTER w.
The Man Who Came Into His Own.
Several hundred yards back from
the road, the lemon orchard came
to an end; the avenue opened out
into a wide, treeless space, quite
bare of grass, surrounding the
house-a little cottage, of frame,
with a wide veranda. Ba k of it
doomed dimly the bulk of huge,
barracks-like structure, which
Rand correctly guessed to be the
quarters for the hands. In the rear
of this again was flat-roofed, one
story, 'dobe building-the stable.
From the vicinity of the barracks
| came the deep humming OF a guitar,
| together with an occasional snatch
of song; and as Rand neared the
house, tiny banjo added it's metal
lie planketty-plank! to the concert.
Rand smiled softly; these were
things with which he was in SYM
pathy. But as for Wheelock-his
facial muscles stiffened again.
He stepped softly upon the veran-
da, still carrying the saddle on his
left arm; and through the open
front door passed directly into a
broad hall with a polished hard
wood floor strewn with rugs. Here
he paused for :. moment looking
about, somewhat undecided.
The hall itself was dimly illumi'
mated with hanging lamps. Rand
saw a piano in a recess under the
stairway One wall was lined in
part with bookcases fairly well
stocked. The chairs were not
merely easy-they were luxurious
'H'm!" considered Rand, grim
ly. "Wheelock has been at some
pains to have everything in order
for me- Uncommonly thoughtful
of him. Nice sort of place-and
my money paid for it all, tool"
He threw the saddle into a cor
ner, thoughtlessly. A second later
a voice hailed him from side
room, the door of which stood open
upon the hall.
That you, SAM" inquired the
voice. What the hell are you max
ing such a fuss about? When did
you get back?"
1t was a strong, full-toned voice
That's WheelOck," deduced Rand
He stepped forward quickly and
entered the room.
Good evening"" he said, quietly
shutting the door behind him.
There was a broad desk-a study
table--in the center of this room
and on it a student lamp with {
white shade. Behind the desk, ir
swivel chair, sat a man. APP
parently he had been writing, Of
casting up some accounts; for a:
Rand appeared he looked up
scowling, holding a pen poised il
one hand. Because Rand wa!
standing outside the radius of thu
brighter illumination, the maj
squinted in vain attempt to rec
ognize him.
"Who othe devil are you?" he de
manded. putting down the pen.
Rand said. coolly: Don't you
know me, Mr.. Wheelock? Oh, don
rise on my account. Sit still, sir.
But there was more of a com
mand than of a request in hi
tone--a masked command whicl
the man unconsciously obeyed
and he sank back into his chair
still peering at the face of the in
truder, a puzzled alarm evident
upon his own features.
He was a man of middle age
and strikingly handsome. If any
thing, the contour of his face wa
too regular. too flawless. Most o
tus have our little imperfections
land we look askance, mistrustful
Eiy, upon the impeccably perfect
! as beings set apart from ourselves
of another order. in Wheelock'!
lease, one was impressed with thu
feeling that the coldly regula
modelling of his features, though
superfically attractive, was but {
mask for the inner man. Which
was more or less true.
For the rest of him, he wa!
fashioned upon g. generous, typi
| carly NCottiH pam ihhSi thoi
Rand himself, and proportionatel.
broad Of shoulder. The pajama'
which he wore hung loosely upol
a magnificent framework. superb
j ly muscled. In Rand's eye as HI
looked him over in no friendl.
spirit there was a glimmer of ap
| probation. Beyond doubt, Vince
, lock was physically an antagonis
, worthy of his steel.
: After a moment he saw thu
, mans hand moving cautiously be
; meath the top of the desk, anC
heard him gradually opening ont
, of the drawers. 1t was sigma
for action. Rand stepped hastil!
across the room, dropping hi;
hands into his coat pockets.
! shut that drawer, Wheelock,
he said, sharply; land keep you
hands away from that revolver
. sir. I'm armed. myself-but there
-