Los Angeles herald., 1908-05-03

''Oh, yes, VIII. You shpped me once TO-
day. You won't do it again. Where's my
money"
Nat was bad boy, but his uncle had done
little to make him better one. and, as he
struggled in the strong clutch, he thought OF
! this, and grew resentful and crafty.
"1'llrll tell" he exclaimed.
| "All right"
Dodge slightly relaxed his hold, but still
kept ISI his nephew close prisoner.
II don't know.
.W WHO took it"
Dodge tightened his grip. His face famed
Boy. he said. you the, worst liar
brick building over yonder"
"1tss' "Hes' H. | DO -, sasPsd Nat. ,n,... ro,
tell me instantly all about that money. No
fcoling this time. I'm dead in earnest"
Nat Davis believed it. He realized that il
vSad.. would be vain to attempt TO escape sea- He
he. who fairly lived in the free, open air.
| Confession was in order. 1t seemed that
liz and restitution were inevitable. He was
gcstion came to his mind, and he blurted out
| a falsehood instead. He remembered 10 Nor
rs and the, pocket;,b book;
"Uncle," he cried, with apparent sincerity,
stealing, honest l didn't; but know some
| thing about it,
| William Dodge looked suspicious and in
creoulous.
"No lies!" he reminded, sternfy.
"I amt going to tell no les," whined Nat.
| 81 get accused of everything because ! hap
pcned to take one or two things. 10 Morris
took the money. ! wasn't in your office all
day.
Near it, uncle-outside Of it. Jo Morris
| took it."
"'Who's Jo Morris?"
"The carpenters boy. He was working,
mendng the office door. / saw him."
| Mats bold lie had its intended effect. The
probability of his statement caused a. specu'
lative expression to come over Dodge's face.
as that the TRUTH"
Eyes. sir"
"You saw him?"
Eyes; / did, if it was black leather
pocket book"
That's it."
with some coins and bank bills in ?"
Eyes. yes"
"Weil, he took it from the small desk I
was at the window, watching him. ! saw
him with the wallet, saw him open it and
pocket it,
"Then why didn't you tell me?" demanded
Dodge.
We boys owed him a grudge, and was only
him"
So prompt and sincerely spoken were Mats
false words that his uncle seemed to place
perfect confidence in their truth.
The man reflected for moment or two.
and then asked:
you are sure you saw him!"
Certain, uncle" assured Nat earnestly.
"Why, he's got it now. You go to Mr. Wal
poles, the carpenters, and see if he hasn T."
II will,v replied Mr.. Dodge. releasing his
hold on you'll %e go bs with to face
At this unexpected announcement, Mats
face fell That was another thing. It was
a triumph to- get 10 Morris in trouble on
.xra1 a..aIA o..1 - L.
able to get away with the most valuable con-
tents of the pocket-book. but to confront him,
and perhaps be detected himself finally, that
did not suit willy. Nat.
ed to willingly acquiesce. in the proposition
He walked along with his uncle for
square or more eyed his surroundings sharp.
woods and his own skill as runner then.
of a sudden, he darted away.
Hes fooled mel"
| Dodge started in pursuit of Nat at the
words
He realized his nephew's duplicity as he ran
after the boy.
Across a common, over a fence through
town, known as Dawson's Woods. ran the
| fugitive and the pursuer, Nat thinking only
of concealment; his breathless uncle shouting
out direful threats of punishment when the
| boy should be captured.
| But it was not destined that Nat Davis
should be captured just yet.
Fate intended a severe ordeal ere he knew
either capture complete security again.
There was a clearing where a cabin had
stood years before "The Haunted Place."
the boys called the spot, from uncanny stories
related of its former mysterious occupant.
so had killed the vitality Of an immense oak
| tree that formerly stood Just outside its door
Nat was exhausted--Dodg resolute. The
boy was alarmed at his uncle's staying quail
tiles: and as he came to the clearing, and
thick underground temporarily hid him from
his uncle's view, he glanced around for
hiding-place, and found it.
CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE