Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1910-07-13

II through a slight uncertainty Of vi
sion or because Of the dim light The
fellows eyes. watching him. lowered.
you know-none better-that on
that particular night some one else.
some one besides the Frisco Pet. en-
tered your mothers houseT
Oaths mingled with low flchers'
slang. but the reply was forthcoming
Other questions. too. were answered
tentatively. sometimes at length, with
repulsive fullness Of detail.
you can state Of your own knowi
edge what happened nextY' John
Steele spoke sharply. The fellows red
brows suddenly lifted.
'oh. yes" he replied readily.
John Steele's manner became short
er His questions were put fast He
forced quick replies. He not only
seemed striving to get through bis
task as soon as possible. but always to
hold the others attention. 10 permit
his brain no chance to wander from
the subject to any other. But the fel-
low seemed now to have become as
tractable as before he had been sullen.
stubborn: gave his version I'm his own
vernacular, always keenly attentive
Observant Of the others every motion
His strength had apparently returned.
He seemed little the worse for his late
encounter. At length came an inter
val. Just for an instant John Steele's
eyes shut The fingers that had held
the pen closed on the edge of the ia
Bile. A quick passing expression Of
ferocity lowered at the corners of the
observers thick lips. He got up. At
the same time John Steele rose and
stepped abruptly back.
"You know how TO write your
name2" His voice was firm, unwaver-
ing. The revolver had disappeared
from the table and lay now in his
pocket.
"All right. gov'nerT The other
spoke with alacrity. "Pm game
bargain is a bargain. and I'll take your
word for it." leaning over and laborl
ously tracing a few letters on the pa
per. you'll do your part. You'll find
me square and aboveboard. although
you did use me little rough. There;
here's your affadavy."
John Steele moved back to a corner
Of the room and pulled a wire. In
some faraway place a bell rang faint
ly. ARCHIE spoke a woman's name.
obviously a sobriquet, "and her daugh-
ter still herer
"HowT"
"Never mind; answerP'
Eyes; they're here. gov'ner You'll
want them for witnesses, suppose"
Not long after the paper, duly wit
messed, lay on the table. The land
lady and her daughter had gone John
Steele only waited for the ink to dry.
He had no blotter or sand. The fluid
was old. thick. The principal sigma
ture in its big strokes. with here and
there a sputter, would be unintelligible
IL the paper were FOLDED now. So he
fingered. Both men were silent. A
few tense minutes passed. John Steele
leaned against the wall. His temples
throbbed. The fog seemed creeping
into the room, and yet the door was
closed. He moved toward the paper.
Still maintaining an aspect Of outward
vigilance. he took It and held it before
him as II to examine closer.
The other said nothing. made no
When the women had
come in his accents had been almost
too frank. The gentleman had called
on a little matter Of business. He.
Tom Rogers. had voluntarily signed
this little paper, and they could bear
witness to the fact.
John Steele folded the paper and
placed It In an inside pocket The
other suddenly breathed heavily. John
Steele, looking at him. walked to the
door leading 10 the street He put his
hand on the key and was about to turn
It, but paused Something without
held his attentlon--a crunching sound
rs OF foot on a pebble. II abruptly |
revived misglvings that had assailed
him before entering the place.
Involuntarlly he turned his head.
Tom Rogers sprang behind In a fash
md seized John Steele by the throat
II was deadly, terrible grip The An
gers pressed harder. The other strove.
but slowly fell. AS dizziness began to
merge into oblivion Rogers, without
releasing his hold. bent over.
"You fool Did you think ! would
let you get away with the paper
that ] couldn't see you were about
done for?"
He looked at the white face aud
started to unbutton the coat. AS he
reached In his attention was suddenly
arrested, He threw back his head.
"The traps"
Voices below resounded without.
$50 that was your game! Well"
,avagely, II think | have settled with
1ou."
He had but time TO run 70 the rear
loor unbolt II and dash out when
'rashing Of woodwork illed the place
md Mr.. Glllett looked IN.
When John Steele began TO recover
le was dimly aware that he was In
our wheeler which ratified along slow
y through streets At his side sat
igure that stirred when he did, spoke
u crisp Official accents, The police