Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-09-12

accompanied the manager across the
wide street where the glittering glass
front Of a large hotel reflected the
busy scenes on the wharf.
Inside the hotel Woolson sat facing
the water front. Making out pretty
well2" he asked at length.
The inspector shook bis head mo
trace of his being In the city" be 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 q 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.
There is slight clew. One Of
your men described a man that bought
IN outfit last week. At any rate. 1
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 tho
morning. Now. If you'll excuse me.
sir. III 60 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 another 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
sent the man away on some errand
and called Hodgson. The tallyman
came. throwing clustering commands
over his shoulder ut his coolies.
"Send that fellow around for his
money. Hodgson." directed his supe-
rior, that Chinaman l told you to dis.
miss"
Right. SIR" And Hodgson hustled
away.
Woolson stood stifily. waiting while
the dlsreputable 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 a 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 a 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 Of
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 a deep breath. You
recognized me at once then. Arthur"
he gasped.
"Yes-never mind. it's all right. old
man. Keep me posted Of your move
ments. Better stick to the Yangtze
valley until 1t blows over. Perhaps
can help you regain what you've lost"
He laid his broad hand over the thin
one of the coolie.
The mans face worked strangely for
a moment. and be turned away: then
with a sudden impulse he flung the
envelope back on the desk and said
sharply: II can't do 1t. Arthur. I'm
too big scoundrel as 1t isl have
wronged you enough. I'll find Duffy
and 20 back to England with him.
After I've taken my medicine I'll come
back. and perhaps then I'll be worthy
to grasp your hand"- he choked sud
denly.
Woolson spoke grufay. '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 l
writhe to think Of your doing time
again. When you come back there Will
be a 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 be had dismissed Hodgson and
paid that bewildered tallyman his due
Of wages Woolson sauntered back to bis
office to await message from lnspec-
tor Duffy.
One hour passed and another. and
bis face grew haggard and bitter with
renewed disappointment Then the
message came.
Got him. beloved the inspector
joyfully. Game and gave himself up
was dressed like a lord and cool as
you please! Jolly odd how | missed
him. amt itT'
Woolson hung up the receiver and
smiled contentedly.