Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-07-11
CHAPTER XIV.


city, while favorable to John
Steele in some respects, les
senlng for the time his own
danger. made more difficult the task
to which he now set himself. He
dared not too closely approach the fig
ure before him lest he should be seen
and his purpose OWNED. Once or
twice Dandy Joe looked around. more
perhaps from habit than any suspi-
cion that he was followed.
At crossing. where opposing cur
rents had met and become congested.
utte& confusion reigned. From the
masses Of vehicles of all kinds, con-
stituting seemingly inextricable
blockade. arose the din of hoarse
voices.
Joe essayed to cross. By dint of
lodging and darting between restless
horses he reached the other side. A
sudden closing in of cabs and carts
midway between curbs held John
Steele back. He caught quickly at
the bride of the nearest horse and
forced 1t aside. An expostulating
shout. half scream from somewhere,
greeted the action. A whip snapped,
stung his cheek.
Turn back. Get out Of this some
how, cabby"' He heard familiar
tones. saw the speaker, Sir Charles,
and. by his side-yes through the cur
tain of fog. so near he could almost
reach out and touch her. he saw as
in "A fash Jocelyn Wray!
She. too. saw him. the man in the
street. his pale face lighted up ghost
like from the mist A cry fell from
her lips. was lost amid other sounds
An instant eyes looked into eyes. hers
dilated his unnaturally bright. burn
ing! Something struck him-a wheel.
He half fell, recovered himself. man
aged to reach the curb.
Dandy Joe had disappeared. The
hope of attaining his end through
him. of being led to the retreat of
one he had so long desired to find
had proved Elusive.
John Steele did not go far in mere
aimless fashion. Leaning against
wall. he strove once more to plan. but
ever as he did so through his thought
the girls fair face. looking out from
enshrouding lace. ihtruded.
He forgot his purpose. when a figs
ure coming out of a public house
through one of the doors near which
he had halted caught his attention.
Dandy Joe. prodigal with unexpect-
ed riches, wiped his lips as he saunter-
ed past John Steele and continued his
way. lurching a little.
For time they two seemed the only
that had ventured forth
that night in locality so uninviting.
Through the gulchlike passage swept
a cold draft OF air. II made little
riffs in the fog and showed an en-
dim light. Al the same time
the sound of the footsteps in front
abruptly ceased.
For few minutes Steele waited
He looked toward the place Dandy Joe
had entered. II was well known to
him and. what seemed more important.
to MIR. Gillett. The latter would re-
member II In connection with the
Frisco Pet and presumably turn to 1t
as a likely spot to search for him who
had been forced 10 leave Captain For
sythe's home That contingency-nay.
robability-had TO be considered. The
Dne person be most needed to find had
taken refuge in one of the places he
would have preferred not to enter.
But no time must be lost hesitating.
He had TO choose Dismissing all
.hought Of danger from without. think
ng only OF what lay before him
within. he moved quickly forward and
.ried the door. He entered. felt his
way in the darkness through winding
passages downward. avoiding a bad
'tep--did be remember even that?
How palrry details stood our! The
,arthen hoOr still drowned the sound
If footsteps. The narrow hall took
he same turns
A slant of light like a sword. from
he crack Of door. CLEANED on the
lark floor before him. He stepped
oward II. The low sound Of mems
ones could be heard-Joe's; a strange
'oice. no. familiar one. that caused
he listeners every fiber 10 vibrate.
And what did you say when he
jumped you for the coteT''
THAT you would rather call on him"
"And then be cared nought for the
OBJ? You're sure"
wasn't playing TO find outY'
The other answered jocosely and
walked away. A door closed behind
i'm. For a time the stiffness remain
d unbroken. Then a low rattle. as
4 dice on a table. caused John Steele !
0 glance through crevice What
Ie saw seemed 70 decide him 10 act /
quickly. He lifted a latch and step |
ied In. AS be did so a huge man with
ed hair sprang 10 his feet From one
-reat hand the dice fell TO the door
lis shaggy soWl droo1ed Casting