The Columbus journal., 1908-07-29
CHAPTER xIV.-Continued.

CHAPTER Nv.-Continued.
Yes. | suppose so,' said | dryly.
"Bat the woman has done me service
saved my life, may say-and I'm
willing to forget the bad in her.
That's not for me to say, sor; but
there's quare things happens, no
doubt"
This note" / continued, lis writ
ten over her name. / don't know
whether it came from her or not; but
| # she sent it l must see her. 1t may
be a case of life or death for me-"
An if it didn't come from her."
asked the policeman shrewdly.
Then said | grimly, its likely to
be a case of death if l venture alone"
III tell you what, Mr.. Wilton" said
CCrsOn after pause. IF you'll wait
bit, Ill go with you-that is. if
there isn't somebody else you'd like
better to have by your side tonight.
Icr don't look to have any of your
friends about
Just the thing" l said heartily.
There's no one I'd rather have. Well
20 down as soon as We can get a bite
10 eat"
I'll have to wait bit, sor. till my
relief comes. He'll be along soon. AS
! for getting 4 bite, you can't do better
than wait till you get to Mother Bor-
tons. It's rough place, but it's got a
name for good cooking"
was bewildered.
Il guess there's not much to be got
IN the way of eating in the house.
There was nothing left in it yester-
day morning but the rats" l spoke
with considerable emphasis.
That's quare, now" he said, look
lrg TO see if there was a jest behind
tie words. But twas all there when
NcPkerson and put club to drunk
Is was raising the Ould Nick in the
place and smashing the bottles, not
six hours ago. When We took him
away in the Express wagon the ould
woman was rowling out those long
black curses in way that would
Warm the heart of the foul fiend him
self"
There was some fresh mystery
about this. | held my tongue with the
reflection that l had better let it
:rraighten itself out than risk a Stun
TIE ~ asking about things | ought to
know.
Corson's relief soon appeared. Its
nasty night" he said, buttoning up
his overcoat closely, as Corson gave
tim a brief report of the situation on
tie beat.
Its good for them as likes it dark"
said Corson.
It's Just such a night as We had
when Donaldson was murdered. Do
you mind it?"
DO l mind it? Am l likely to forgit
IT. Well. a pleasant time to you, me
boy. Come along, sor. Wed better
be moving. You won't mind stepping
Up TO the hall with me, will We, while
| report?"
Certainly not" said with shiver,
hat At the grim suggestion of muir
ce- and half at the chill of the fog
and the cutting wind that blew the
cold vapor through to the skin.
You've no overcoat," said Corson.
Wen stop and get one. I'll have mine
from the station
The silence of the house of mystery
Nas no less threatening now than on
the night when Henry Wilton was
walking through the halls on the way
70 his death But the stOut-hearted
Policeman by my side gave me con-
hte1ce. and no sign showed the pres
e-cc OF an enemy as l secured Henrys
he2Ty Overcoat and the large revolver
he had given me, and We took our
"aE down the stairs.
\ short visit to the grimy, foul
smelling basement of the City Hall,
brisk walk with the cutting wind at
Cur backs and l felt rather than saw
t1a' we were in the neighborhood OF
The scene CT my adventures of a night
t12t had come so near costing me my
IN" and then / saw the lantern sign
give forth its promise of the varied en-
;e-,ainment that could be had at Bor-
tons.
Here We are" said Corson.
We pushed open the door and en-
tered. The place had the same ap-
leaEance as the one to which l had
been taken by Dicky Nahl.
- fine night, Mother Borton, said
'orson cheerily, as he was the first to
en'er, and then added under his
b-eath, for the divil's business.
Mother Borton stared at him with
black look and muttered curse.
Good evening" / fastened to say.
l took the liberty to bring friend;
he doesn't come as an officer to-
night"