Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-02-25
make them. What are they?"

Ito put them on the same footing"
1T shall be as you wish. What else?'
"I-I-' began the detective, hall
rising to his feet. while a shadow OF
anger and relf itlessness seemed to flash
Iacross his face. Then he sank back in
to his chair again, laid his arms upon
the table, and bowed his head upon
them.
How long, o God! how long?" he
lgroaned. Then he semed to remember
suddenly, that Barron's question was
unanswered. What else?" he repeat
peated; nothing. nothing; let the
young lady come in"
Mr. Barron rang the bell. He gave
the necessary order. In minute more
there was q light knock at the library
door.
Come in," said Mr.. Barron.
The door opened.
When ]. B. Prier entered his account
of the events Of the day upon the pages
Of the book in which he kept such items
as might be Of use to him, he wrote
ldown, in black and white, slowly and
lcalmly and deliberately, regarding this
woman: "The most queenly person
ever saw"
When ]. B. Prier praised or compli-
mented, even to the pages Of his book,
lit meant much; think we shall be safe
in calling Miss Elsie Barron a "queenly
person" Let us do So
Tall, slender, dark: perfect Of feat
ure: graceful in every movement; half
shy, and diffident enough to have been
a girl of sixteen self-willed and reso-
lutte as the most mature; this was the
woman who advanced slowly; but not
Ihesitatingly, to the table.
Her father and Mr.. Prier had risen.
She looked inquiringly from the former
to the latter.
ELSIE, my love-" said the old gentle
man., "let me introduce a friend. Mr..
Prier, this is my daughter"
The "queenly person" gave the detec-
tive stately courtesy. She declined,
with gesture but without words, the
seat which her father pointed out to
her as Prier and himself resumed their
own. and remained standing, one hand
resting carelessly upon the table. She
gave her undivided attention to her
father.
"Win you not have a cup Of coffee?
asked the old gentleman.
| for
father. What can 1 do for you?"
The old gentleman moved uneasily In
his chair. He half wished that the de-
tective had the questions to ask in
stead of himself. He turned to Mr..
Prier, that wish showing itself in look
and attitude But the countenance of
the detective did not show that he un-
derstood. He had made his conditions;
he would abide by them; he would see
nothing until he was ready to do so.
What can l do for you, father?" the
young woman asked again, after some
little time of waiting.
Il am in trouble-in serious trou-
BILE" faltered her father
The eyes of Elsie Barron flashed one
glance of naughty inquiry at Mr.. Prier.
She moved noiselessly to her father S
side. She laid her arms carelessly
along his shoulders. She stopped and
kissed him, with Mr.. Prier looking at
her.
Trouble; what trouble?" she asked.
Il will do anything to help you, father
"I knew it-I knew it," said the old
man, the tears coming into his eyes.
And this man? this gentleman? this
Prier? Is he the cause of your trou-
ble?"
mo. On the contrary, he is going to
help me out"
"Ah! Is he? Is the nature of your
trouble financial?"
Yes"
Elsie Barron raised her head and
looked Mr.. Prier squarely in the eyes
looked for fully minute. Then she
turned to her father, and said, graVely,
without any attempt at lowering her
voice
Il wouldn't let him. if l were you.
He is a merciless man. Give him an
advantage over you. and he will use IT
to the utmost. do not trust him. You
must not. He would follow an enemy
to the-the-the grave"
Mr.. Prier half rose again. His arm
pressed against the casket in his pock-
ct. His face had never before been so
grim. yet there was a smile upon IT,
He forgot his promise to Mr. Barron;
he forgot prudence. politeness every
thing.
Did you begin to say the gallows,
Miss Barron?" he asked.
She looked at him again-looked as
Ilong-loOked as calmly-looked with as
much cOmposure-lOoked as much like
a "uueenly person" as she had before;
she looked until the detective turned
away his eye, then she answered:
Il did"
We'll Miss Barron, you are rlght.
I have followed people to the gallows-
lpeople who were nothing to me one way
nor another-followed their lives day
by day, step by step, clew by clew, and
for pay. You are correct in thinking
that | would follow an enemy to his
death"
you are a detective, them" she ask
led.
Il am"
Pardon me- I misunderstood you.
took you for money-lender You MADE
me think of-of-"
She paused. and flush, which was
not more than half embarrassment yet
not all mocking malice. moved along
neck and cheek and brow.
"Of what? OF whom?" asked Prier
sharply.
Miss Barron laughed.
"Of the pound of fesh-and Shy-
lock-" she said.
Prier frOwned.