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

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this poor, ignorant fellow uttered a
the trial. Seems as IL | could remem
Der a mans face, a strangers, tina
looked into mine that night, your lord
ship, but | amt exactly cocksure
Amt exactly cocksure,'" repeate,
Captain Forsythe. That's wha
caught me. Would a man not tellinj
the truth be not quite 'cocksure, o.
would he testify to the face as a fact?'
HIN! Very interesting. Forsythe
Very ingenious. Quite plausible"
''The landlady's testimony excluded
the face, made 1t f1gment of an imag
ination disordered by drink" Captain
Forsythe waved his hand airily.
you went to see this womanY'
"Out Of curiosity, and found she was
indeed, the same person. She seemed
quite i'll and feeble. | talked with hel
about an hour that day. Tried In
every way to get her to remember she
had possibly let in some other person
that night, but
"ButY
"Bless you, she stuck to her story
laughed Captain Forsythe. Couldn't
move her an iota." One of the listen
er's arms fell to his side, his hand
closed hard. "Quite bowled over my
little theory, don't you know. OF
course l told myself it didn't matter.
The man convicted was gone-drown-
ed"
A shrill whistle smote the aif. Steele's
glance turned to the window. The
boy, having delivered his message.
had left the door With lips puckered
to the loud and imperfect rendition of
a popular street melody he was max
ing his way through the grounds. In
voluntarily the mans look fingered on
him. "a telegram from London? For
whom?"
BEG pardon!'' A footman stood in
the doorway. "Sir Charles compli-
mcnts to the gentlemen, and will they
be good enough to join him in armory
hall?'
John Steele turned quickly to the
servant, so quickly a close observer
might have fancied he welcomed the
interruption. Captain Forsythe's and
MIR Steele's compliments to Sir
Charles" he said at once, "and say it
will give them pleasure to comply"
As Steele and his companion, togeth-
er with Jocelyn Wray, who had Joined
them. entered the armory hall sounds
of merriment and applause greeted the
ear
"a little contest with the foils, a
fencing bout! Good" exclaimed For
sythe.
Jocelyn Wray walked over to the
group, and Forsythe followed.
Bravo Ronsdalev A number of
people applauded.
HE has won. Now the reward!
What is 1t to be?"
Not so fast! Here are others"
True" Ronsdale looked around
with his cold smile. His glance vague
ly included John Steele and Captain
Forsythe.
Count me out" laughed the latter.
mot in my line. don't you know, since
| joined the retired list"
However. there's Steele" Sir
Charles. pipe in hand, remarked.
do you use the foils, Mr.. Steele?"
asked Jocelyn Wray.
He moved forward. Lord Ronsdale
stood near her, bending over with
slightly proprietary air.
~ Steele looked at them. "Only
a little"
"Then you must try conclusions with
Lord Ronsdale!' called out Sir Charles.
LAS victor over the rest he must
meet all comers"
Nothing to be put out by being
beaten by Ronsdale." interposed an
observer. Had the reputation of be-
ing one of the best swordsmen on the
continent; has even had. l believe"
with a laugh. "one or two little af-
fairs of honor"
"Honorw Steele's glance swung
around. played brightly on the noble
man.
The latter's face remained .mpas-
sive He lifted his foil carelessly and
swung it. The hiss that followed
niBnL nave Deeu COuSlTueu us Cudl-
lenge. John Steele tossed aside his
coat.
Ronsdale's eyes suddenly narrowed.
made itself felt In his
manner. Aren't you going to roll up
your sleeves" he asked softly. "Usu-
ally find it gives greater freedom Of
myself"
perhaps you are right" Steele said
coolly, and. following the noblemans
example, he pushed back his sleeve,
The action revealed the splendid arm
Of the perfectly trained athlete. mark
ed. however, by a great scar extend
Ing from just above the wrist to the
elbow.
bad jab that. Steeleg cried Sir
Charles. Looks as If it might have
been made by an African spear"
mo" John Steele smiled.
Lord Ronsdale breathed quickly.
Recent wound, l should say"
"Not very old" said John Steele.
"If there's a good story back Of 1t
ven have it later" Captain FOrsythe
Their blades crossed. Ronsdale's !
of wrist and arm. his cold |
,teadiness. combined with a knowl- |
,dRe of many fine artifces, had al !,