Evening star., 1909-08-28

not produce the proof necessary to nv
full exoneration. A few weeks ago my
wife saw chance. or thought she saw a
chance, that Altenburg might be induced
to speak / knew too we'll that any
speech that would avail me must be TO
his conviction. for me to feel the thing
possible; but l was bound to act when
ever she and my children believed they
saw the slightest chance of relieving the
fate that had fallen on them. So left
the asylum and came to Lanceboro by
way of Bangor. across the Brentwood.
and so to Aftenburgs house. Horace met
me and l was concealed I'm my wifes part
of the house. which Altenburg never en-
tered.
I'm bound to say Horace agreed with
me. that Altenburg would never speak
unless we found some way to force him.
He believed, however. that Altenburg had
In his possession papers that would es-
tablish my innocence. and he was de-
termined to take advantage of his
mothers absence and the loneliness OF the
house to make a search for them, ard, il
they existed. secure them. j warned him
that Altenburg. as old as he was, was
still very strong man, and that lie
would not submit peaceably to be robbed
of what would not alone prove my in
nocence. but necessarily his guilt. Horace
declared that when he began the search
he would have things so arranged that
there would be no interruption from Al
tenburg any one else
Grimbleshaw almost felt his hair stand
on end as Calden repeated this statement.
apparently without appreciation of its
weight. If it ever came to be used He
glanced at Mrs. Calden, and felt that she
was growing pale again. but whether
from the natural strain of the story or
from some special danger she found III
these last words. he could not tell The
bulldog. too. was showing increased un-
easiness. and II seemed almost as il he
would push himself through the door SO
close did he press. yet always with abso-
lutte stiffness.
1T struck me- Calden went on, that
he thought my coming rather inoppor-
tune. and he spoke of finding some place
where / would be safer than at the
house. I insisted that ! had come to see
Altenburg. and see him | must: but while
he did not go so far as 10 forbid me. he
protested that II would be utterly use
less. as well as dangerous. ] told him
that 1t was only for the chance OF such
a meeting and what might develop from
il that / had left the asylum. and that
while I had little faith in it. l had no
right OH that account to forego IL, espe-
claliy now that the old scandal had been
given new life, or would be. by the noise
of my escape At that he yielded.
seemed to yield but insisted that lie
should first find some safe place TO which
] could go as soon as the meeting was
over, for he felt that if | remained at tile
house Altenburg would not hesitate 10
give me over to the police.
when was this?" asked Grimbleshaw.
Tuesday, the night / got there. the
day before Altenburg's death. Both
Horace and | stayed in my wffe's rooms
that night
go on" said Grimbleshaw, who feared
row lest Calden's seeming purpose 10
speak fully should weaken.
THE next morning Horace left me To
find place for me to go to after my
talk with Altenburg. giving me Bull be-
fore he left as protection AS long as
Bulls with you. lie said. you needn't
fear John Aitenburg's disturbing you. He
ha.es the dog as sincerely as the dog
hates him.
At this moment without warning, Bull
sprang 10 his feet and. with growl like
distant thunder threw himself against
the door as if he would go through il.
There was sound without. as though
body fell from the step to the ground.
Somebody was listening at that door,"
said Calden.
Wen soon find out who.' said Grim
bleshaw. starting forward. with the In.
tent to open the door and let Bull out.
In an instant Calden was beside him.
with his hand on his shoulder.
IF he gets hold of the man hen kin
him or cripple him for life he said
Let him. said Grimbleshaw.
Calden shook his head In remonstrance.
He's only doing what he's paid for do
ing" he said Don't harm him. It'll
do me no good.
Mrs. Calden came i'm for her part and il
was a bitter one.
'Twould simply serve him right" she
said. They're bounding us to our deaths.
Why shouldn't some of them be hurt
without they could hear the sound OF
men undisguisedly running. and running
hard.
"If it would do any good. yes" said
Calden. but it wouldn't.
CTo be continued tomorrow