The Calumet news., 1911-12-04

part OF the inspector brought CLEAN
to Woolson's brooding eyes. He step
ped out OF the cage and approached
the detective. The line of coolies was
stringing off OH TO the wharf, and the
bowed gaunt form OF the last man
would soon approach TO pick up the
boxes against which the inspector was
carelessly leaning.
Woolson thrust an arm through the
inspectors pudgy one and turned him
away. "Come over to the hotel and
have something he said genially.
Cant you drop your duties long
enough to spend sociable half hour?'
Inspector Duffy REDEEMED with tick
led vanity. THANK you, sir, I'll be
pleased to join you" he agreed as he
accompanied the manager across the
wide street where the glittering glass
front of large hotel reflected the
busy scenes on the wharf
Inside the hotel Woolson sat facing
the water front. making out pretty
well?" he asked at length.
The inspector shook his head. "No
trace OF his being in the city" he said
ruefully. you see, Mr. Woolson, I've
been in Victoria for two days past and
raked the place clean, and | went to
you as last resort. I've cross ques-
toned your men, and I've got slight
clew-that's all"
"You were saying you had clew,"
suggested Woolson as the inspector
yawned sleepily. 14it tff
'There is slight clew. One of
your men described Il man that bought
an outfit last week. AZ any rate,
feel justified in carrying my chase to
the Yukon" said Mr. Duffy.
"Our boats are at your disposal"
murmured WOolson, lighting another
cigar.
"Thanks. I'll take that one in the
morning. Now, if you'll excuse me.
sir, I'll go to my lodgings and get
some traps together"
On the steps of the hotel Woolson
stood and watched Inspector Duffy
roll down the street until the crowded
pavements swallowed him. Twilight
was falling, and the water front was
darkened with the approaching end of
the day. In anbther half hour the
coolie gang would stop work.
The manager of the Great Mines
company went back To his office and
worked rapidly for several moments.
Then he made his way to the wharf
and entered the paymaster's cage. He
/ fhn m Al
and called Hodgson. The tallyman
came, throwing clustering commands
over his shoulder at his coolies.
"Send that fellow around for his
money. Hodgson," directed his supe-
rior, that Chinaman told you to dis
miss"
Fright, sir" And Hodgson hustled
away.
Woolson stood stihly, waiting while
the dlsreputabe figure of the last man
crept up to the wicket He lifted his
head and peered through at the big
red and white skinned Englishman
with shrinking fear in his own dirt
, concealed features. Coarse black hair
struggled into his dark eyes, and a
long cue hung down his back. He
thrust trembling hand through the
wicket as Woolson showed fat en-
velope toward him.
Laurence" whispered Woolson
guardedly, with his eyes fixed at some
point beyond the mans head, "cut it!
Duffy of Scotland Yard is after you.
There's plenty of money in this envel-
ope. It's yours in remembrance CT
old times and, God willing, in antici-
patton of new and better times to
come. Lie low until midnight and
get aboard the Queen Of the Sea. You
can easily lose yourself in China"
The coolie drew deep breath. "You
recognized me at once then Arthur
he gasped.
"Yes-never mind. its all right, old
man. Keep me posted of your move
ments. Better stick to the Yangtzc
valley until IL blows over. Perhaps
can help you regain what you've lost ,
He laid his broad hand over the thin
one of the coolie. l'ii"ft' .-
The mans face worked strangely for
q moment, and he turned away; then
with n sudden impulse he flung the
envelope back on the desk and said
sharply: IL can't do IL, Arthur. I'm
too big n scoundrel as 1t isl have
wronged you enough. I'll find Duffy
and go back 20 England with him.
After I've taken my medicine I'll come
back. and perhaps then I'll he worthy
to grasp your hand"-- He choked sud
denly.
Wooson spoke gruffly. "I've done
nothing more than you would have
done in like circumstances" he said to
the weaker one. "You make me
deuced happy, old man, though
writhe to think of your doing time
again. When you come back there will
be place for you with me-" He
wrung the thin hand and WINGED as
hot tears fell on his own. Then he
was conscious that the "last man" had
disappeared.
After he had dismissed Hodgson and
paid that bewildered tallyman his due
of wages Woolson sauntered back to his
Office to await message from Inspec'
tor Duffy.
One hour passed and another, and
his face grew haggard and bitter with
renewed disappointment Then the
message came.
4