Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-06-28
CHAPTER XXI.


pened into SO forcibly and appealing
" directed him to hide under the bed
He had placed his basket containing paint
and brushes on the floor. With ave ne
slid under the bed just as the room door
opened. ~
Front door open and this one unlocked"
spoke gruh voice Did you lesvs u 30. +.
had stumbled upon, as clearly he recognises
the accents OF that voice.
'It's Dobbs," he thought-"the man l stole
the keys from when 10 Morris eseapep-.ns
der if I'm going to lind out something ~
A remark from Dobbs' companion inter.
rupted Mats mental soliloquy, He could lusI
see the two men from his place Oh eonceai-
ment. -. M.
associate was poorly dressed, and even more
dissipated looking. :, :. s =,
the two men who had entered the apartment
mot the front one, though l only went
| out for a minute"
Minutes mean trouble, sometimes, Dobbs
muttered. you want to be careful. crow,
'He can't get away; he couldn't even crawl
| from the bed to the door. Well, OLD chap,
how is it today!" continued the man, ..1 WITH
coarse familiarity, approaching the bed. Hey'
The Invalid paled and groaned, and did not
fiR e man who had spoken stood staring at
Mats painting QUIT; a., no.hs "A.
"Eh! some one here" cried Dopps' ao-
YES. Those things don't belong here.
See here, old man, what have you peeh up
to-"
"Nothing--go away. Leave me TO my ms
'TIf some one should have been here, and
he's sent word outside!" muttered DoDos' IN
"Wen, there has. but he hasn't gone-out
Nat uttered faint cry of dismaay.
The man on the bed moaned IN despair.
| Dobbs' companion had lifted the counter
| pane, had caught sight OF Mats foot' anu
seizing it, brought the boy into view:
"a boy" scowled Dobbs, surveying Nat
"And in hiding, too remarked the other
man. - ,.... orasrsd Dobbs "Now.
then you boy, just explain yourself, will you,
| If you want to save trouble"
Mats lips were tightly compressed; he
| tried to take in the situation, and, bold ana
| courageous to the point of rashness, as usual.
| was ready for any defiance or open nght Inc
| case might warrant.
He glanced at the invalid.
The man on the bed shook his head de-
spairingly, and choked out, In broken lonss'
Nat felt vague sympathy for the old man.
II seemed IT, the boy as If Dobbs and his
companion were forcibly OBTAINING the man
against his will, or at least watching him IN an
endeayor to prevent his sending word to
friends he wished to reach.
III happened in here accidentally, said Nat
coolly. never changing his fixed glance, at
Dobbs' face, as the latter tried to brighten him
with an angry gesture. Il came here on BUSH
what business?" growled Dobbs.
Painting. paint gate numbers, and was
' was You looking for work under the bedr'
| demanded Dobbs. go,
"No, / wasn't" flashed Nat, guilty.
"What was you doing there, thenw
| Nat hesitated Then he burst forth:
ssWell. il you must know the truth, il
struck me that the old gentleman there was
| in trouble, and / think ne was going to tell
me about it when you came. So got out
Of the way until had a chance to talk to
| him again"
The two men exchanged glances.
Dobbs winked crafty to his companion.
Then he amazed Nat by breaking into fit OF
uproarious laughter.
'f"His troublesp' he exclaimed derisively.
'eThey are all imaginary. The old man is mad
has been SO for years. and lucky to have
| friends to look after him."
CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE