The Columbus journal. (Columbus, Neb.) 1874-1911, 1908-11-11

They are ahead of u.s." she said
In alarm.
They have started first, I suppose"
was my suggestion.
And they have the right road"
Then our only hope is that they
may not know the right place"
God grant it." said Mrs. Knapp.
She was silent for a few minutes,
and I saw that her eyes we're filled
with tears.
Then she said, Now tell me about
Henry Wilton-how he died and
when"
l told the tale as 1t had happened.
and as l told it l read in the face be-
fore me the varying emotions Of alarm,
horror and grief that were stirred by
its incidents. But one thing I could
not tell her. The VOLTAGE had seen
in the lantern fash in the alley I
could not name nor describe to the
wife of Doddridge Knapp.
Mrs. Knapp bowed her head in deep
gloomy thought.
Il feared it, yet he would not listen
to my warnings" she murmured. He
would work his own way" Then she
looked me suddenly straight in the
face.
And why did you take his place,
his name? Why die you try to do his
work when you had seen the dreadful
end to which it had brought him."
confessed that it was half through
the insistence of Detective Coogan
that was Henry Wilton, half through
the course of events that seemed to
make it the easiest road to reach the
vengeance that l had vowed to bring
the murderer Of my friend.
You are bent on avenging him."
asked Mrs. Knapp thoughtfully.
Il have promised it."
Il have marveled at you," said Mrs.
Knapp after a pause. Il marvel at
you yet. You have carried off your
part WELL"
mot well enough, it seems, to de-
ceive you," said little bitterly.
You should not have expected to
deceive me-" said Mrs. Knapp. But
you can imagine the shock l had when
l saw that it was not Henry Wilton
who had come among us that first
night when 1 called you from Mr..
Knapp's ROOM"
you certainly succeeded in con-
cealing any surprise you may have
felt" said. You are a better actor
than l."
Mrs. Knapp smiled.
1T was more than surprise-it was
CONSERVATION" she said. Il had been
anxious at receiving no word from
Henry. l suppose you got my notes.
And when / saw you l was torn with
doubts, wondering whether anything
had happened to Henry"
Il didn't suppose was quite so poor
an imposter." l said alphabetically,
with a qualm at the word. Though
did get some hint of it," added, with
a painful recollection of the candid
statement of opinion I had received
from the daughter of the house.
''Oh, you did very well,' said Mrs.
Knapp kindly. but no one could have
been successful in that house. Luella
was quite outraged over it, but l
managed to quiet her."
u hope Miss Knepp has not re-
tanned the unfavorable impressions OF
-er-" l stammered in much confus-
ion.
Mrs. Knapp gave me keen glance.
You know she has not" she said.
WELL" continued Mr0s Knapp,
when l saw you and guessed that
something had happened to Henry
Wilton, and found that you knew little
of what was going on, changed the
plan of campaign. l did not know that
you were one to be trusted, but l saw
that you could be used to keep the
others on a false scent, for you de-
ceived everybody but u.s."
Il would have spoken when I found
you for what you are" said Mrs.
Knapp, but thought until the Liver
more trip that you could serve me best
as you were doing"
1T was blind work." said.
IL was Oluu cuOuSu iOA yOu' Aos
for me. l was deceived in one thing,
however; l thought that you had no
papers-nothing from Henry that
could help or hurt. The first night
you came to us l had Henry's room
thoroughly searched.
"Oh, l was indebted to you for that
attention." I exclaimed. Il gave our
friends of the other house the credit" "
Mrs. Knapp smiled again.
Il thought it necessary. It was the
chance that you did not sleep there
that night that kept this paper out of
my hands weeks ago"
Il have always kept it with me-" !
said.
CTO BE CONTINUED)