The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1910-01-10

tCopyr1ght, 1909, by George
Barr McCutcheon.)
Copyright, 1900, by Doud,
Mead d Company. Published
Sept, 19O9.)
$50 you are the Quixote who
would tilt at invisible windmills,
Ell? I remember you quite well.
We have met before. Perhaps
you remember meeting my eye in
Dame Babba's cabin-twice, ]
think. You remember, l see. Ha,
ha! You were very slow not to
have caught such an old man.
You were near to 1t the first time,
but-you missed it, Ell? l thought
you might have seen my heels as
l disappeared. l dare say you are
wondering what l intend to dc
with you, now that / have you
Well, l am not the man to mince
words. Mr.. King, you are quite
young, but the good die young.
am very old, you observe. l will
not say that you are to die to-
night or tomorrow or any day
for do not know. l am going
to send you to a court. Not an
ordinary court, Mr.. King, but one
of extreme perspicacity. l fancy
you will die before long. We can
spare you. l do not approve OF
meddlers. 1t seems to be quite
settled that you are police agent
Be that as it may, imagine our
little court of last resort will
take no chances, one way or the
other. A man or two, more Oh
less, will not be counted a year
from now"
The steady, cruel eyes fascinat.
ed King. He knew that he was in
desperate straits, that he had one
chance in a million to escape, ant
yet he found himself held by the
spell of those eyes, drinking in
certain metallic monotones as il
hypnotised.
Il am glad you called again a
my temporary abode, Mr.. King
Americans are always welcome
the sooner they come, the sooner
it's over. 1t may interest you t
know that l am very partial tt
Americans. Were a cannibal,
could eat them with relish. If
had my way, all Americans shoulC
be in heaven. The earth surely i
not good enough nor big enough
for them, and hell is alread,
overcrowded. Yes" reflectivel,
pressing his nose with a bon,
forefinger, II love the American
dearly. l should enjoy simila
visit from Mr.. John Tullis. AL
though, l may say, he seems to b
choosing another way of testini
my hospitality. l expect him t.
visit me in my humble castle be
fore many days. 1 should like t
have him remain there until hi
dying day" There was dee
Significance in his smile. Kin
Ishuddered. His gaze followe
the gaunt, spidery old man as h
returned to the opening for an
other long survey of the vale
below. Night was falling; tn
sky was growing darker, and tn
wind was rising. Marlanx's shar
features were not so distinguish
able when he returned to tn
boulder. The men in the cav
had not spoken except in whis
pers. They appeared to be Twin
in abject fear of this grim oil
nobleman.
Might is coming. I must sa
farewell, my bold young FRIEND
My way lies to the north. This i
merely land of promise to me
You go southwark, to the city O
Edelweiss. But not through tn
gates; oh, no! There are othe
ways, as you will find. If yo
should, by any chance, escape tn
jurisdiction of the court l an
sending you to, I sincerely trus
you may honor me with anothe
visit here. I come often to tn
howell in the glen. 1t is the onl.
friendly house 1 know of in al
Graustark. Some day l may b.
able to recompense its beauteou
mistress. My good friends, Dan
gloss, and Halfont, and Brace
and Tullis, whom l know only b,
reputation-are, as yet, unawar,
OF my glorious return to Grau
stark, else they would honor m,
with their distinguished presence
Some day l may invite them Il
dine with me. 1 shall enjoy see
ing them eat of the humble pie
can put before them. Goodbye
my brave Sir Galahad; 1 ma,
never see you again"
With a courtly bow he turne,
from the tense-muscled captiy,
and directed his final instruction,
to the men. "Take him at ono,
to the city, but be on your guard
A single false move now means
utter ruin for all of us. Our af
fairs go so we'll at present tina
we cannot afford to offend Dam,
Fortune. She smiles on us, m,
men. Take this fool to tn,
house on the Monastery road
There you will turn him over t.
the others. 1t is for them to dral
the truth from his lips. I'd sug
gest, dear Mr.. King, that yor
tell them all you know before
they begin the dragging process
1t is very unpleasant way they
have" With curt nod to the
men, he strobe out through the