Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1909-09-03
By Eta w. PIERCE.

bell.
1t was more than probable that ne
was now the only person awake in the
house. Consequently, the doctor rose
from his table and opened the hal
door. There, at the threshold, in the
dark spring night, stood a man.
"A word with you," he said, curtly
"As many as you like" answered DIR
Cover. "Will you come in?"
He led the way to his study. HIS
late visitor followed. He sat chaiI
by the crate. The other took it in 81
lepce. DR.. Cover looked at him close
ly and saw a mana stranger-youns
clothed in black, with g. dark face hall
covered by a beard.~-O Oddly enough, ne
did not remove his hat on entering.
Il have been sent here tonight" he
began in a well -modulated voice, "to
consSt with you on matter of great
moment"
Regarding yourself or another?'
said the doctor.
Another"
TEou choose late hour" quoth DR.
Philip, but go on"
Give attention. Will you answer
me faithfully"
Most certainly; so far as I can"
The stranger started up, and, thrust
ing his chair savagely back, looked the
young doctor in the eyes.
Where Is that child?" he said, the
words dropping slowly syllabled from
his lips.
DR.. Cover started, stared at the in
terrogator, but recovered himself
quickly.
What! again. he cried. rs thi;
some stupid jest, or am l again asked
In sober earnest a question too absurd
for a moments consideration Firs'
Of all, who are you?"
81 am sent hither by the mothe: ol
the child" answered the other, stand
ing like a statue at the corner Of the
CRATE, his face turned from Its hot
light. my name can matter nothing
to you--she does not yet design to
mention names. But the question Is
no Jest; it is put to you in earnest :
in terrible, deadly earnest-whers l.
that child?"
Then" said DR.. Cover, 'as 1 ar
swered a week since must answer
now. 1 know nothing, absolutely moth
ing, Of what you ask, and she who
sends you here is either the victim OF
some great mistake or veritable
madwoman."
Neither; but a mother robbed OF
that which she is determined at all
hazards to regain-one,' too, with
wealth at her command. You, sir
are a poor man."
His glance swept the plain study
comprehensively.
go on" said the doctor. This
matter is getting ridiculous beyond
belief"
And the poor man never lived to
whom the thought Of money was not
sweet. DR.. Cover, let us make a fail
exchange. hold a full purse; you
have knowledge that must be had al
any price. 1 mention at the start ter
thousand dollars"
Thanks" said the doctor, dryly;
too much, assure you"
Twenty, then"
Worse yet"
Fifty"
You fiatter me greatly. Is the WORD
villain written so plainly on my face
then? Must you believe, though
swear to the contrary, that am with
holding a child from its mother-con-
cealing from her it's whereabouts-til
she may name bribe large enough tc
tempt me to restore it?'
"One hundred thousand" said the
other, as if the doctor had not spoken
Cover walked to the door and threw
it open.
Got" he cried, in a voice of thun.
der
The stranger walked toward the
threshold.
Money, then, cannot open youl
locked jaws?'
do you hear?" shouted the doctor
pointing out into the night.
You will tell nothing?"
For 1 know nothing This ridicu'
lous piece of folly means either malic'
or madness. If the mother of th'
child suspects her enemies Of having
obtained possession Of it, tell her t
seek it among them"
"She has done so already. 1t is no
there They are far too cunning t.
leave 1t where she can see or hear o
| it, Neither has she proof to supper
an accusation in a court of justice
unless you can be made to speak.
| Heaven save my patience!" erie;
the DOCTOR who is she and who ar
her enemies? How is any sane ma:
to deal with such nameless, intan
gible affair as this?"
You are not requested to deal VIII
it," replied the other haughtily, "bu
only to answer the question asked yol
at the beginning. Neither does you
pretended ignorance deceive me in tn
least. That man, that woman, hav
not won you over to their interest
and all the while remained unknowl
to you"
Doctor Cover pointed again to th
open door.
My time is too precious to vast
longer. Be off, or l will throw yo,
out, neck and heels!"
i The other made him a deep bow.
1.-The mule that will not be coaxe
can sometimes be driven" ne said
Goodnight, DR.. Cover" And wit
that he departed down the walk.
DR.. Cover bolted the hall door be
hind him and stood listening to tn
sound Of these retreating steps. Their
struck by some sudden thought, h
opened it again, looked out, strod
out into the night. across his garder
down to his gate. gazing up and dow
the deserted road. All there was sti
as death. No living thing could h
see near or far. His visitor was fair
ly gone-whither 1t was now too lat