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


His pinched and pale face showed sur,
prise, fear Almost ineoherently he
began to stammer
Steele looked about. They two. as
far as he could see. were alone.
Il ask your pardon" The fellow
found his voice, IN not be troubling
you further. Mr. Steele
You were about to beg-of meY'
John Steele smiled.
Dandy Joe began to shuttle of in u
spiritless way when
You are hungryY' said John Steele.
"a little. sir"
"a modest answer in view of the
actual truth. suspect" observed tht
other. But. although his words were
brusque, he felt 10 his pocket. A. SOY
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 short twentyfour hours be
fore?
Very 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 hooked
around. In a byway he saw the light
ed window of a 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 started!-showed 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 n steak II
BE had one Large or small? Large
with an enigmatical smile.
The proprietor hustled out.
A voice, hoarse. that of man, was
heard:
THE blarsted fog is. coming down
fast"
The smaller man drew back. A
shiver seemed to run over him. They
are a long while about the steak" he
murmured.
your testimony helped to send him
over the water, | believer" said Steele,
pointing out the picture Of the Frisco
Pet TO Dandy Joe.
How do you ! amt on the stand
now. Mr.. Steele" A spark If defiance
momentarily came into Dandy Joe's
eyes.
'No, no" 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
l mean." the others voice was uncer
tain. cautious. that's matter long
since dead and done with But as foi
my testimony helping to send him
over the water
"Or under" sotto voce.
Joe swallowed. 'It was true, every
word of it,"
"Goodw John Steele spoke almost
listlessly. always stick by any one
who sticks to you. whether a friend or
a pal or patron"
"A patron" From the others lips
fell an oath,
But even If there had been some
thing not quite-strictly In accord
which there wasn't"-quickly--" 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.. Steele" The mans
eyes began 10 shine with alarm. I'm
not on the"--
II know. And it wouldn't do any
good If you were"
''You mean"-in spite Of himself the
fellows tones because he's
lnder the waterY
"No; had in mind that even II he
hadn't been drowned, your
"Wot! Hadn't?"
That" said John Steele. doesn't
natter. The principal subject of any
relating TO you is the
'teak. which is now coming" As he
ipOke be rose. leaving Dandy Joe
lone at the table.
For time he did not speak. sitting
)efOre a cheerless fire that fpebly at
empted to assert itself.
Once when the proprietor stepped in
le asked, without looking around, for
certain number of grains of qui-
line with glass of water-they prOb-s
Ibly kept It at the bar. Yes: The man
llways had it on hand and brought It
n.