The Nevada County picayune., 1909-03-04

with another sense, because Winter had learned the lip language in his youth; he heard with his eyes as we'll as his ears. This combination had made an unintentional and embar rassed eavesdropper out of an honest gentleman a number of times To set off such evil tricks it had saved his life once on the plains and had res cued his whole command another time in the Philippines. While he studied the two faces a sentence from the younger man gripped his attention. It was ''I don't mind the risk, but I hate taking such au old woman's money"
 She has heap" answered the other man carelessy; besides" He added something with averted head and in too low a voice to reach the lis toner unassisted. But 1t was convinc- ing, evidently, since the young mans face grew both grave and stern. He nodded, muttering oh, I under stand: I wasn't backing water; I know we have lost the right to be squeam ish. But I say, old chap. how long since Mrs. Winter has seen you? Would she recognize you?"
 The colonel, who had been about to abandon his espionage as unbecoming a soldier and gentleman, slowed away all his scruples at the mention of the name. He pricked up his ears and sharpened bis eye, but was careful lest they should catch his glance The next sentence, owing to the speakers position, was inaudibe and invisible; but he clearly caught the young mans response:
 You're sure they'll be on this train?"
 And he saw the interlocutors head nod.
 The boys with them?"
 An inaudible reply. but another nod
 And you're sure of Miss Smith?"
 This time the others profile was to- ward the listener who heard the reply: Plumb sure. I wish I were as sure of some other things. Have we settled everything? It is better not to be seen together"
 Yes. I think you've put me wise on the main points. By the way. what is the penalty for kidnaping?'
 Again an averted head and hiatus, followed by the younger mans spark ling smile and exclamation: Wow! Riskier than football-and even moro fun!" Something further he added. but his arms hid his mouth as he thrust them into his greatcoat, prepar- ing to move away. He went alone: and the other, after moments gloomy meditation. gathered up coat and bag and followed. During that moment of arrested decision. however his features had dropped into sinister lines which the colonel remembered.
 Dangerous customer. or l miss my guess" unused the soldier, who knew the passions of men. 'I wonder-they couldn't mean my Aunt Rebecca? She's old; she has millions of money but she's not on this train. And there's no Miss Smith in our deck. I'm so used to plotting go of on fake hikes! Probably I'm getting old and dotty Mercer, poor fellow, may have his brain turned and be an anarchist or bomb-thrower or dirty kidnaper for | revenge; but that boys a decent chap; I've licked too many second lieuten- ants into shape not to know something | of youngsters"
 He pushed the idea away; or rather his own problems pushed it out of his mind. which went back to his ward and his single living brother. Mel vile had no children, only his wifes daughters. who were both married Melville having married widow with | family, an estate and mind of her own. Melville was a professor in state university. mild, learned man whom nature intended for science but whom his wife was determined to make into the president of the uni. versity.
 Even money which will win" chuckled Rupert Winter to himself "Millicent hasn't much tact; but she has the perseverance of the saints She married Mel; he doesn't know. but she surely did. And she bosses him now. Well. suppose Mel likes to be bossed; he never had any strenu- ous opinions except about the canals of Mars-Valgame dios"
 With gasp the colonel sprang to his feet. There before him. in the flesh, was his sister-in-law. Her state ly figure. her Roman profile. her grace fully gesticulating hand, which indi- cated the colonels position to her heavily laden attendant, lad in blue these he knew by heart just as he knew that her toilet for the journey would be in the latest mode, and that she would have the latest fashion of gait and mien. Millicent studied such |