The San Francisco call., 1910-03-13

AND STUNNING REPORT OF A REVOLVER
new courage. Fifteen minutes went by The wounded
youth stirred and groaned
Better" asked Carter, his own voice echong
strangely in the black void OF the house
"Who-who is that2' came the faltering answer
why, I'm the chap who gave you that clip on the
head returned Carter amiaby "And good job for
you that you wore stiff derby" Apparently the
other reflected painfully upon his cause for congrau-
1ation for some time.
Il suppose you're one OF Benham's men, he said
finally.
Quite right
Then it's all up the comment.
s Right again, Ralph my boy said Carter An ex-
clamation and scrambng movement from the stairs
told him that the word had told. Sit down and keep
quiet" warned the Virginian The physician has
particularly insisted that you to get excited
and that any exertion will be followed by unfortunate
complications. That's better
Now look here, Ralph" Carter went on, more
pleasantly, You're prisoner of war, unders stand?
just at present you're in my hands, to do with i
please. You identify of Benhams men,
am, to the extent that I'm here interfere with the
game of you and your friends whatever it is They've
gone away and left you. In the meantime, being
precious raid was all about"
There was no answer from the stairs
L can understand, of course that you don't care to
tell me- said Carter, after a pause IF / guess
Alright it's not altogether to your credit But it may
be to your advantage Let me make the situation
clearer I've got you, and mean to keep you, if L
want to- Before many hours some of the trades
people from the town will find the lodge keeper, or
Benham's messenger will arrive, or perhaps Benham
himself may In any case, if you're still here
you'll be behind bars by night for burglary Ugly
word, isn't it,"
SYMPATHETIC LISTENER
A hard drawn breath came from the stairs
Il thought you'd find it so, Ralph. my boy, I'm
not prejudiced person. On the contrary I'm quite
reasonable. happen along here just in time to head
you and your friends off. From what' l don't know
But want to find out. Now, let me hear the whole
story. You can. wager I'll listen whole lot more
sympathetcally than judge and jury will"
How do you know my name?" asked the weak
voice.
Il was outside the lodge while the others were
attending to the taker"
Then Benham doesn't know
Probably he only suspects from the look of the
thing But tell you frankly Ralph, I'm in the dark,
and your last chance to get out gracefully let
me in.
WELL" returned the other slowly, "I can't quite
place you, but if you really want to know I'd better
let you L suppose I'll do the best | can though my
head is going like beehive and it's nice story
I'm Ralph Nitton l guess you know me- he has
tened on nervously; most everybody does. After my
father Strengthened that last scrape for at Cam
bridge he found place for me Benhams secretary
s lived here with Benham last summer. tried to do
the right thing, but Benham wasn't any consider
ate. / suppose deserved all got and he couldn't
see that doing my best.
Anyway, left him month ago. My father let
me live at home. He never gave cent and he was
always at me for the mess I'd made of things was
in with spending crowd and-well. fellow took