The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-02-23

How long had he been there? That
phase care over Grafton with a stag
Earing rush? Was tho. II couldn't
be the twenty-hrst His dosing must
have occurred at about midnight on
the nineteenth OF May. and no drug OF
which he had any knowledge would
give one two days OF Inconsistencies
without fatal results.
He was most certainly alive again,
and therefore it must be the twentieth
Of the month. The sun In the narrow
court seemed 20 Indicate afternoon.
Grafton looked for his watch. with
small expectation Of finding 1t.
Yet the tiTnspiece was IN his pocket
and his roll OF bills as wen. Evidently
the game was far too profitable for
even the keepers OF the house to make
petty robbery an object: thsr had left
him his clothes and his watch and his
money. The hands pointed TO 8 O'Clock.
SO he had been out OF the world for
fifteen hours, at the very least!
Grafton imbibed more Of the water
and slowly drew on his clothes. Then
he sat down heavily ON the edge OF the
grooming bed to consider matters in
their latest aspect.
Beyond question. Colson had lured
him to this den for the sole purpose
OF holding him Also beyond question,
colson's motive had been TO have him
out OF Konyonviile during the twenty
drst Logically. therefore, Colson was
q criminal and one Of a puzzling sort.
Had he fallen into trouble and de-
vised some such desperate scheme as
this 10 free himself? Or was he a
professional criminal. who had worked
Tor years toward this big gamer
To save himself, Grafton couldn't
determine the question TO his sadsfas-
ton. II q professional. Colson had
been a consummate artist; II not, q
consummate fool, In that he had not
dared lay matters before Grafton In
straightforward fashion
But whatever his intent or his past
record. Colson had accomplished one
very serious thing in the drugging OF
Grafton-and now. just what use did
ne intend to make OF it9
Perhaps even now he was back In
Kenyonvills, rearranging matters TO
his own lilxinE. Perhaps he was ex-
planning why Grafton had not return
ed. and a few more things Perhaps
he was planning for tomorrow and
what? That was it,
Even granting that the man had
matters all his own way when the ap-
pointed time came to settle the notes,
Just what would he do? The posi-
bnities were so wide. and many Of
them appeared 50 extremely far
fetched that Grafton hesitated at fx-
ing a definite plan Of action for the
lately trusted debtor.
One certainly remained. however.
Colson meant to do something. and it
vas reasonably sure TO be something
desperate. more than that. It would
b something highly detrimental to
Grafton interests. 1t might mean his
ruin. Very surely. it would mean q
seat deal OF trouble.
With Grafton 20 see trouble was 70
forestall It by every means possible.
He would get back to Kenyonville
with all possible speed. and when he
found Colson, matters would become
merry in the last degree for one Of
them.
Grafton rose and went back to the
sink: and with pocket comb ana the
frasment OF mirror, he eontrived an
apology FOR a toilet. After which, he
gathereG up his overooat and walked
- he door.
riously, IN tho confu-ion of many
age ideas and IA the strange after
OF his drusging. the notion OF I'm
annsent had not occurred to him.
king OF Colson as the only direct
to be handled, he laid a hand
le knob and turned H.
door was firmly locked
tried It again, and bent and
ed over the crack between door
eaSo EiSka