Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1908-01-24

Tom hurled himself upon the thief.
there was q grOan, then q movement
behind him. and as he wheeled round
the man In the mask sat up.
"Ha!" said Tom. 80 1t was you who
followed my master from the bank
and tried to break into his desk last
night! You've succeeded a bit too late.
My masters got his money in his
pocket-and he isn't here"'
II amt after is money" said q harsh
high voice.
what them:
| what you've got in your hand"
''This!" cried Tom. "WhO are your
Names Wyeth. I'm a lag, same AZ
you"
LET me see your face"
Again that grin below the mask ere
1t was whipped Off. and Toms eyes lit
upon horrible face horribly disflgur-
ed. 1t was perfectly fat. Disease had
RACED the nose to below the level Of
the sunken cheeks, and the beady eyes
seemed more prominent by contrast az
they glittered upon Toms visible alb
horrence. In IN instant, however, the
adherence changed to recognition, md
great light blinded Tom.
MY Godw he gasped. The man
that did IT,"
"Did whntT'
"What I'm hero for-the murder of
Captain Blaydes! 1t was you who
killed him! 1t was you! saw you
close to the spot that night! Never
shall forget you-and this Is the re-
ceipt gave him! took Il Just nok
from your handy'
AN where do yer think I took It
from?"
'The dead mans pocket"
THAT there deskv'
At last Tom said: TELL me! Tell ma r.
And his voice was very weak. He
was leaning heavily on the chimney
piece. and now his elbow hid the time.
| Wyeth removed hand from the
back Of his head. looked at tho blood
upon 1t and grimly showed 1t to Tom.
you've been rough with me, you
ave. when you should ha' taken M
to your art. but I will tell you. COS
amt that much to lose, an 1t may
mean my ticket IL you stand by me
like true man. Say you'll do that an
Ill tell you every blessed thing!"
Il will stand by you through thick
and thfn." said Tom.
| The other eyed him for several sec
onds.
II do believe you WILL" said he. TITS
a bargain between true man and true
man. Well. then. that night
"Stopv' said Tom. I'VE will have
another pair Of ears" He went to
the door and called loudly for Peggy.
No answer. His voice feverberated
through an empty house. He had seen
the Fawcetts start for Sydney an hour
ago (even now he did not realize Why,
but Peggy had willfully deserted.
go on" said he. what about that
night7 l met you not 300 yards from
the stile where the body was found,
and you were going that wayr'
II was" said Wyeth. IAN when
come near what dye think heardi A
couple Of swells having a row. In alt
| q shake 1t come to blows, an I count
| ed FIVE before there was a bit Of q
thud, and the one who'd been calling
out My Gawd, my Gawdr e shut up,
but the other went on saying You
devil"-thrOugh Is teeth-jes' like that
until I come up. I keeps quiet and
sees one swell take a lot o. papers out.
er the other swelrs pocket, when In
steps. You should ha' seen the one a.
was pocketin' the papers! Up he
jumps, with thick stick dripping at
the end, and before you can say Jack
Robinson e as me on the conk, an
that's the end q met"
| ibid you ever see him againf''
, Toms voice rang strange with horror
and WEAKNESS. He did not want his
freedom. He was sick Of the life that
Oaintree had given him back, Of the
world to which Daintree had restored
him. His benefactor! The man filed
his mind In that first light only-and
In this last!
"Yes, ! see him at your trial." said
'Myeth. but I'm coming to THAT Mean: