Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1908-04-10

and no one here ever saw or hear'
of the new man."
Mr.. Jahnway seems to be an inde'
pendent sort Of man."
Il should say so. Most everybody
around here dislikes him, though
they're generally a little bit afraid OF
him. To tell the TRUTH" lowering, his
voice to a whisper, and coming near
er to Prier, Il am a little afraid Of
him myself"
rs it possible?" asked Prier.
Yes. l don't wonder you are as
tonished. But we've found out thai
he followed the sea for a good many
years, and we've got a sort of notion
that he used to be a pirate. And II
wouldn't do to get a pirate down on
you. YOU know, for there's no telling
what he might take it into his head
to do. Do you see?"
Il see. Well, what else can you tel
me about Mr.. Jahnway?"
Nothing"
Nothing? l thank you for your
information. And now must be 60
ing"
Going? You amt going out to Jahn-
way Park?"
Certainly"
Put I told you not to 60"
THAT makes no difference to me"
Have YOU forgotten that ! am Pat
sy Gullens?"
"I recognize the fact that you are
Mr.. Gullens."
And I've told you the sort of fell
low Jasper Jahnway is"
Yes, and for that | thank You.
came up here to see Mr.. Jahnway, and
am going to see him. l am glad to
get any information regarding him, no
matter how unlikely its accuracy OF
questionable it's source. If it had not
been for that, do you suppose l would
have wasted my time here with you?'
Wasted your time, is it? Your time
must be very valuable, mustn't 1t:
said the man, with threatening sneer;
what business has your honor follow
ed that takes so much Of your time?'
Well" said Prier, quietly, 1--WE stu
died several different kinds Of"
Studied, have you? I never stud
led anything in my life, can tell you
Il don't doubt it," said Prier.
you'd better not doubt it, nor any
thing else say. Will you tell me the
names of some of the things you've
studied?"
"Willingly. | gave some attention to
craftsmanship once: had an idea OF
getting my living by giving exhibit
tions of my skill; was really pretty
fair shot once: am now a little rusty
as they say, l suppose. Do you see
that leaf yonder?"
He pointed to single leaf clingine
to the extremity of a high branch, on
tree some thirty yards away.
Gulens bowed.
Prier drew his hand out Of the pock-
ct into which it had been carelessly
thrust for few minutes. 1t had a re-
volver in it. He deliberately raised it
There was a sharp report. And the
leaf slowly fioated down through the
gathering darkness, among the snow
fakes which fell in ever-increasine
numbers as the night drew on.
"Wh-what else?" gasped Gullens.
well, studied boxing. Got quite
expert, too. Might have been a prize
fighter, suppose, only l wasn't willing
to be- Shall l show"
But Gullens had briskly moved aside
Just at present 1 am a detective
and"
And you're going to Jahnway
Park"
Il am going up to Jahnway Park
Good night, Mr. Gullens."
Prier walked rapidly away.
II say, friend" shouted Gullens
after him. 1T amt possible Jahnway
is really Il pirate. is it?''
Prier made no answer. A smile
flashed over his face, and drifted away
leaving it more sorry and careworr
than it had been before.
"A farce for an interlude," he said
bitterly; IAN act Of comedy in the dra-
ma of life. And now-nOw to face the
mystery, and take my part in the
tragedy again"
1t was late when Prier reached Jahn-
way Park. The snow was falling very
fast The wind was rising. The grand
old trees in the park were shaking and
twisting in the hands Of the viewless
forces of the night and the storm.
The walk leading up to the front
door was full of snow, the neglected
accumulations Of several severe storms
The old mansion did not show a light
at a single window. Its whole aspect
was inhospitable and forbidding. Il
seemed empty and deserted.
Prier thought for a moment Of the
interview he had had with Patsy Gull
lens. He felt in his pocket to be sure
his pistol was convenient and ready II
case anything should happen to make
its use a necessity. He had no idea
that Jahnway was Il pirate, or even hat
been: he knew that the age was no
one taking kindly to pirates, and tha
they did not flourish on American soil
And yet-he had not been a detective
for all the best years of his life without
finding much danger; he had learned
the lesson that teaches the Importance
of being always ready-ready for dan
-surprise-anything.
He went up to the front door. HI
rang the bell.
No answer.
He rang the bell again, longer ant
more vigorously than before.
No answer.
He rang q third time-rang with {
sturdy persistence which he fancieC
would impress even the frankly imper'
tinent gentleman who had warned hin
not to cOme-rang with an impatienc'
in every motion his hand gave to th'
jangling bell.
And suddenly. much as though some
one had been waiting behind the GOO