The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1909-06-03

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Keatcham's valet was next gum
moned from his vacation and became.
in Tracy's phrase, "a dandy subnurse."
The Tracys' family physician came
twice day, He was known TO be
visiting one of the guests who had
fallen III. Mercer sent three or four
kilograms a day to Seattle. and to New
York. to Keatcham's associates. Sew
eral times he held a conversation OF
importance over the telephone with
the man who acted as distributor OF
intelligence. Warnebold, himself. came
on to San Francisco from Seattle and
was received with every courtesy. He
questioned Kito. questioned Mercer,
questioned the colonel. Tracy had
effaced himself and was in Pasadena
for a day or two.
The colonel was the star witness (at
least this was young Arnold's verdict.
His narrative was TO the effect that
he had gone out to see Mercer. who
was a family connection; no. he was
not alone. he had a young friend with
him; confidentially, he would admit
that the friend was Mr.. Tracy's son;
and, while he could not be sure, he
had reason to suspect that he. young
Tracy" had been conducting some
delicate negotiations with Mr.. Keatch-
am. At this point the interlocutor
nodded slightly; he was making the
deductions expected and explaining to
himself Keatcham's astonishing com
| munication over the telephone. So, he
was surmising shrewdly, that was the
clew: the old man had been making
some sort OF a deal with Tracy
through the son; well. they were pro
tected, thanks to Keatcham's orders.
Likely as not they never would know
all the reasons for this side-stepping.
Il understand. then" he said. as one
who holds a clew but has no notion OF
letting 1t slip out OF his own fingers.
you and young Tracy got here and
you found Mr.. Keatcham? How did
you get in? Did Mr.. Mercer let you
in? How did 1t happen he didn't dis
cover Mr.. Keatcham instead OF you,
or did you come In on the side,"
Mrs. Winter, who was In the room,
had diversion ready, but 1t was not
needed: the colonel answered unhesi-
tatingly. with frank smile: "No. we
came In ourselves; young Tracy had
key"
"Oh, he had, had he?" returned
Warnebold. with a shrug of the Shout
ders.
'He is great friend Of young
Arnold's; they were at Harvard to-
gether. belonged to the same soci-
eties."
Yes, / understand; we'll"
The rest of the interview was clear
sailing. Mrs. Winters presence was
explained in her very own words. "Of
course / was put out good deal at
first" added the colonel, by the WON.
en- getting mixed up in it; but Miss
Smith undoubtedly saved Mr.. Keatch.
ans life. never saw any one who
seemed to think of so many things to
do. Half a dozen times, that first
night, he seemed to be fading away;
but every time she brought him back.
/ was anxious to have a doctor called
in: but Mercer seemed opposed TO
| making SUR
"He knew his business thoroughly"
interjected Keatcham's confdant, "he
undoubtedly had his instructions TO
keep Keatcham's presence here
secret"
"He had" said Mrs. Winter; be
sides. Miss Smith is his sister-inlaw
and hesknew that she could be trusted
to do everything possible. And. really.
It didn't look as If anything could help
him. hardly believed that he could
live an hour when saw him"
Nor l." the colonel corroborated.
Warnebold. plainly impressed by
Mrs. Winters grand air, assured them
both that he felt that everything that
could be done had been done; Miss
Smith was quite wonderful; and he
would admit (of course. confidential
ly) that Mr.. Keatcham did have a
heart trouble; Mr.. Mercer had recalled
one or two fainting FITS; there was
some congestion; and the doctor found
a sad absence OF reaction; he believed
that there had been a-er-syncope OF
some sort before the stabbing; Mr.,
Keatchan himself although he was
still too weak to talk much. had no
recollection OF anything except very
great faintness. Mr.. MERGERS theory
seemed TO cover the ground.
Except as to who did the stabbing."
said the colonel.
"uIas Mr.. Keatcham any bitter enc
mies?" asked Aunt Rebecca. thought
fully.
what man who has made a great
fortune hasnt?" demanded Warneeold
with a saturnine wrinkle OF the Hrs.
But eur enemies don't stab or shoot
us. nowadays"
They do out west" said the colonel,
genially; were crude"
"Are YOU in earnest?"
Entirely l know man. a mine
superintendent who got into a row
with his miners because he discharged
a foreman, one of the union lights, for
stealing ore. In consequence he got a