St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1910-07-06

prise, fear. Almost incoherently he
began to stammer.
Steele looked about They two, as
far as he could see, were alone.
81 ask your pardon" The fellow
found his voice. I'll not be troubling
you further. Mr.. Steele"
"You were about to beg-of me?"
John Steele smiled.
Dandy Joe began to shuttle off in
spiritless way when
You are hungry?" said John Steele.
"a little. SIR
"a modest answer in view of the
actual truth. l suspect observed the
other But, although his words were
brusque, he felt in his pocket. A SOW
ereign-it was all he had left about
him. When he had departed post
haste for Strathorn House he had
neglected to furnish himself with
funds for an indefinite period. A con-
tingency he should have foreseen had
risen For the present he could not
appear at the bank to draw against
the balance he always maintained
there John Steele fingered that last
sovereign. started to turn. when he
caught the look in the others eyes.
Did it recall to him his own plight
but a short twenty-four hours be-
fore?
Every well!" he said, and was about
to give the coin to the man and walk
away when another thought held him..
This fellow had been a link in a
certain chain of events. The tempta-
ton grew to linger with him. the
single tangible. though paltry and
useless figure in the drama he could
lay hands on John Steele looked
around. In byWay he saw the light
ed window Of cheap oyster buffet.
Motioning to the man, he wheeled
abruptly and started for it.
A few minutes later found them
seated in the shabby back room. A
number of faded sporting pictures
adorned the wall. One-how John
Steele startedLshowed the Frisco Pet
in a favorite attitude.
Steele spoke now. His dark eyes
sLone strangely. A sardonic express
sion lurked there. The proprietor
could bring his companion a steak if
he had one. Large or small? Large,
with an enigmaticaI smile.
The proprietor hustled out.
A voice. hoarse, that of a man, was
heard:
1.-THE blarsted fog is coming down
fast
The sNaller man drew back. A
SILVER seemed to run over him. They
are a long while about the steak" he
murmured.
Your testimony helped to send him
over the water. l believer" said Steele,
pointing out the picture of the Frisco
Pet to Dandy Joe,
How do you l amt on the stand
now. Mr. Steeler' A spark of defiance
nomentarily came into Dandy Joe's
eyes.
mo, nor John Steele leaned back
''The harms been done so far as you
are concerned. You as a factor have
disappeared from the case.'
'Glad to hear you say so. Mr.. Steele
1 mean," the others voice was uncer
tain, cautious, that's a matter long
since dead and done with. But as fol
my testimony helping to send him
over the water
UT UNDER soto VOce.
Joe swallowed cit was true, every
word of it."
Good" John Steele spoke almost
Iistlessly. Always stick by any one
who sticks to you, whether a friend or
a pal or patron
"a patronw From the others lips
fell an oath.
QI7f hod
thing not quite-strictly in accord
which there wasn't'-Quickly-"a man
couldn't gainsay what had been said, >"
Dandy Joe began.
HE could,'' indifferently.
But that would be-
'Confessing to perjury? Yes"
Hold on, Mr.. Steeler' The mans
eyes began to shine with alarm sI'm
not on the
Il know. And it wouldn't do any
good if you were"
You mean"-in spite of himself the
fellows tones waVered-"because he's
under the waterY'
mo; l had in mind that even If he
hadn't been drowned, your
.'Wot! Hadn't?"
That" said John Steele, doesn't
matter. The principal subject of any
consequence relating to you is the
steak. which is now coming" AS he
spoke he rose, leaving Dandy Joe
alone at the table.
For a time he did not speak, sitting
before cherries fire that feebly at
tempted to assert itself.
Once when the PROPRIETOR steDped in