The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1908-12-26
MILLIONS OF MISCHIEF
By HEADON HILL
Copyright by Newspaper Enterprise Association,
CHAPTER XVI tcontinued.)

CHAPTER XVI (Continued.)
He(e,ust have been watching my
arrival, for he came quickly for
ward.
you are the young woman from
the postoffice, and have a telegram
for me, chr" he inquired.
NO" answered. II do not
come from the postoffice. ! was
given to understand at the lodge
that you are q magistrate, and l
want to speak to you on most i'm
portant business-swear an infor-
nation, / think 1t IL called"
An exclamation that sounded like
annoyance escaped him. but he
atoned for 1t by polite gesture
toward the open French window.
III you will be SO good as to step
in here" he said, I'VE shall save
the servants the trouble of answer
Ing the door,"
In the shaded lamplight of lux
urious apartment saw an old man
with sallow, unwholesome COM
plexion, suggestive OF late hours
and life in cities.
He seated himself at a great ped
estal table, and l at once remem-
bered what till now in my excite
ment l had forgotten--that my ap-
pearance after the climb up the
stack pipe could be none Of the
tidiest.
"You look as n you had met with
III treatment. You wish to prefer a
charge of ASSAULT" he inquired,
taking up a pen and drawing paper
toward him.
II wish to prefer a charge Of
murder and also of attempted MUIR
der, against one Roger Marske." I
answered him eagerly.
Slowly. very slowly, he replaced
the pen in the tray. and, joining the
tips of his fingers, bent his chin to
them as he surveyed me with a
perfectly sphinx like countenance.
"Of numbering and of attempting
to murder, whom do you accuse
this person. he inquired presently.
In putting the question he worked
his face In a curious contortion
that was hardly smile, and saw
that his few remaining teeth were
sharp and yellow. like an aged
dogs fangs.
Il accuse him of numbering a
young lady named Clara Rivington
and her mother" replied, ignoring
the second half of his question for
the present. THE matter is urgent,
because a perfectly innocent man
has been convicted of the crime,
and will be-will be hanged If he is
recaptured," added, nearly break
ing down.
"Recaptured! The convict's
name?" demanded the magistrate
in his high pitched treble.
Arthur Rivington--the prisoner
who escaped from Winchester jail.
You must have heard of It," said I.
YES" replied my interrogation
dryly. II have heard of the case.
Now be SO good as to lay your in
formation against this other one,
who, according to this extraordi-
nary story of yours. ought to be in
the convict's shoes"
So took a step nearer to the
table and poured out my story.
The old man regarded me with
keen comprehension. Then Roger
Marske was at your point Of de-
parture on this extraordinary er.
randi" he asked.
YES" I answered.
A footman in a plain but hand
some livery entered, but paused
irresolute on seeing me.
"Well Sanders. what is IT." his
master asked sharply.
II beg pardon, Sir Gideon, but
Mr.. Roger has arrived from Lon
don and sent me to see IL you were
In your room,' was the reply that
set my knees trembling as they
had never trembled before through
out that fateful day. In ignorance,
had made an official confidant OF
the father of the man l came to
charge. This was Sir Gideon
Marske, the cabinet minister, and
l did not need to look twice at him
to see which side he was going to
take.
Inform Sir Roger that am
here, and that shall be obliged II
he will step this way" he said to
the footman.
TIVE CONTINUED.