The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-09-07

THE LAST
MAN.
A Story Of British Co
lumbia.
By CLARISSA MACKIE-
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation, 1911.
BY CLARISSA MACKlE-
by American Press Asso-
ctatIan 1911

The manager OF the Great Mines Out
fitting company of Victoria. British
Columbia. frowned as the door of his
private office was pushed softly open
and the chief clerk deferentially
placed a card on his desk.
-.son scanned the card thought
fully. his frown growing blacker and
deep lines settling about his mouth.
At last he flung back his head and
shook his broad shoulders as II pre-
pairing himself for contest His face
became an urbane mask as he turned
to the waiting clerk.
ASend him in," he said briefly.
Again the door opened and closed.
and Il short. stout man approached
the managers desk.
"Mr. Arthur ST. Claire Woolson ?"
he asked suavely.
MY name is Woolson." replied the
manager CURLY. The sound OF his
several appellations savored too
strongly of that hateful period when
they had bazed in black type across
the front pages of English newspa-
pers. Now he glanced down at the
card before him and added: You are
Inspector Duffy of Scotland Yard Sit
down. sir and tell me what l can do
for you"
The inspector sat down and pulled
out a large notebook from an inner
pocket and consulted 1t nearsightedly.
I'm the matter Of Laurence Kim
ball." he snapped out suddenly. His
bulldog voice did not accord with his
feline appearance. The contrast was
startling.
Woolson stiffened in his chair II
thought that matter was settled when
Kimball was convicted and impris-
oned," he said indifferently.
Inspector Duffy consulted his book
again. Laurence Kimball served one
year of his sentence and then escaped
from Dartmoor prison on June 8 last.
l have traced him across the Atlantic,
through Canada and British Column
bia to Victoria"
You have caught him thenT There
was almost sheer In Woolson's voice.
The other Redeemed to the roots of
his pale hair, and his catty smile Wild
ened. His voice growled the deeper
when he replied
81 lost the trail know he arrived
in Victoria July % because he was
recognized. Since then he has dropped
out Of sight
~ will instruct our superintendent to
aid you in every way. Here is a card
which will admit you to every depart
ment of our company"
The inspector hesitated and shot
furtive glance at the face of the man.
ager. "Of course his majesty's war
rant opens all doors to my knock. but
| always choose the other way when
it is possible
THAT Is very considerate of you
inspector" said Woolson ironically.
"Do you know Of any reason why
should be unwilling for you to seek
your escaped-manT he challenged.
Escaped convict" corrected Duffy.
with a squire look into Woolson's
stern eyes. 81 can think of no reason
except that he was your friend-and
pardon me. sir, your testimony was
given reluctantly. I hope you won't
take offense. but I've got to have your
best help. whether you are willing or
not. Besides accomplishing the ends
Of justice. there's big reward out for
Kimball's capture and | want it" He
smiled greedlly.
"A reward large enough to lure you
TO the uttermost end of the earth, |
fancy" observed Woolson carelessly.
A ruefu look oyerspread the ruddy
fnce of the Inspector Hardly that"
he responded THE Yukon Is the
limit so far rs I'm concerned. My
times worth something at home"
Woolson touched bell. mir. Jamo-
son Will be Mt your service, Inspector,
and If you decide to go to the Yukon
one of our steamers will sail Mt to-
morrow morning. Here Is a pass that
will take you up the coast to your
destination. whatever 1t may be-
After the detective and Jameson had
left the room the manager turned to
the window and stared out at the
wharf. Ten. fifteen, twenty minutes
he stood there, motlonless. Then he
put on his hat and went out.
The long stream of coolies wavered
back and forth across the gangplank.
The tallyman yelled Justify until Wool
sons drawing accents cut him short.
"Hodgson. you may discharge the
, man on the end of the line. He's q
tlumsy beggar. Send him to the pay
master tonight"
Whenever the long line struggled to
, It's final end the last man. tall and
gaunt ragged cloth tied about his
head and half concealing a yellow
countenance. would pause TO stretch
4 his lean and shrunken arms bare to
the shoulder He walked with stoop
from the waist. and the burdens that
he bore seemed all too heavy for the
4 wavering gait with which he followed
his companions.
Always he was the last man to
reach the gangplank with his burden
4 for the steamers hold, and, returning,
!. he was the last to leave the vessel
The tallyman swore at him in various
langunges, and his mates grinned
: childishly at his meek acceptance OF
!. the insults that were heaped upon his
bowed back.
woolson, observing all this, clinched
Al o,+iclo thot hao rpo1 ppri