Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-10-13
lie way from Worcestershire


Essex?''
Business" replied Tankerlane curt
~, business with you, Mr.. Shil" All
his geniality had vanished, as though
he had received an insult. His voice
was hard, and the lines on his harsh,
handsome face had deepered.
What can | do for your" Shil
asked
You doubtless have good reasons
We'll, in the first place you might
turn on the lights. It's rather Gark."
I'm sorry you don't like it," said
Shil, but we never turn ON the lights
till six o'clock"
You doubtless have good reasons
for keeping in the dark" retorsed Sir
William rudely. you made a slip
there, my friend. You don't wish me
TO see your face. have learned one
Of the things l came here to find out"
81 am glad of that" Shil replied,
for | must ask you to leave before
kick you OUT The veil of poliieness
that had hung between the two men
had been torn aside, and they faced
each other with all the primeval pas
slons Of savages. 1t was now merely
question as to which Of the two
had the more cunning or the greater
bodily strength. Sir William Tanker
lane rose to his feet and squared his
shoulders. He was fine broad-shoul-
dered man, but he looked slight and
weak beside Ships huge body. He
laughed, and walked towards the
table where he had placed his hat
and stick. He had no intention of
leaving, but he wished to be farther
away from John Shil
When he reached the table. he
placed his hand on the wall and
switched on the electric light. There
he turned suddenly and looked his
enemy in the face.
Il have come here to find my wife,
ne said abruptly. where is she?"
You've got some pluck" answered
Shil with a grim smile. ITO come
into mans house and ask him for
your own wife indicates courage, but
not prudence Sir William"
Tankerlane's face darkened with
fury, and he stepped forward with
clenched hands, as though he were
going to strike Shil in the face Then
he paused, and subdued the brute in.
stirct to decide the contest in so
primitive and hopeless a fashion
You scoundrel," he cried, do you
think I've come here to get the truth
out Of you by physical violence-no
stay where you are, you blackguard >
John Shil had sprung forward with
a white face and blazing eyes, and
! with thnt, chf In, 10 I'D ~
of choking the life out of the man
who had insulted him. But Tanker
lane had taken a revolver out of his
| pocket, and the expression on his
face meant murder.
| "You blackguar!' he continued, as
John Shil paused and looked at the
ugly little weapon did you think
was fool enough to come on this er
rand without some weapon that Nigh
place us on terms of equality? Yo,
have taken my wife from me. Yo,
needn't deny it, for she told me will
her own lips that she was coming tt
you. Where is she?"
"She is not here" Shil replied
calmly, "but she is where you vii
never find her. She is Ill, perhaps sh'
is dead. l do not know, for when
last saw her she was between lif
and death"
Between life and DEATH whispere'
Tankerlane hoarsely. "Oh God, no
You lie, man, you lie. It's dirty tricl
to make a weak fool of me-
ITS no trick replied Shil solemn
~. "'Tis Gods truth. She may live
but if you go to her she will die"
mo, no. cried Tankerlane, "
must see her. Take me to her. Sc
here. l am unarmed," and he place
his revolver on the table. 81 do nc
use force. Laura is my wife, and
love her. Take me to her now, 70
PHYS sake"
81 will not" John shil replied firm
ly.
Tankerlane looked at him for
moment in horror, and then his fea
and anguish gave place to fury.
"You will not?" he said slowl.
Then, by God, will make you. D
you know that l saw Ben Hollan
die?"
John Shil stood motionless an
his face was calm in comparison wit
Tankerlane's distorted features. Fl
one brief moment he wondered whet
er he could silence the man by brea
ing his neck. But Tankerlane, repen
1 ing his generosity, had already r
sumed possession of the revolver.
4 do you hear me?" Tankerlane r
\ peated with a foul oath. do W
realise what I mean when l say TIL
g can make you tell me where Laul
y is?"
Il $50 you are the other man." ST
4 replied quietly. II see. l am oblig'
Il to you for your information. 1t c
a plains a good deal | could not unde
4 stand I'm afraid, Tankerlane, tn
u you have fallen in my estimation.
& never thought very much of you, b
Il didn't think you were such hou
as you make yourself out to be-"
" Shut your mouth, damn youi" scri