Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1911-09-12
THE LAST
MAN.
A Story Of British Co
lumbia.
B, dARlssA MAcxE-
By cLARIssA MACKE-

+ By CARIssA MAcKE.
Copyright by American Press Asso- !
citation. 1911.
***s++++++*++*%*+********i
The manager Of the Great Mines Out
fitting company Of Victoria. British
Columbia, frowned as the door Of bis
private Office was pushed softly oper
and the chief clerk deferentially
placed card on bis desk.
Woolson 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.
-'Send him in." he said briefly.
Again the door opened and closed
and short, stout man approached
the managers desk.
"Mr. Arthur st. Claire WoolsonT
be asked suavely.
my name is Woolson," replied the
manager curtly. The sound Of his
several appellations savored too
strongly Of that hateful period wher
they had blazed 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 can dc
for you"
The inspector sat down and pulled
out a large notebook from an inneI
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. 81
thought that matter was settled wher
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 3 last
have traced him across the Atlantic
through Canada and British Colum
bia to Victoria"
"You have caught him thenT There
was almost a sneer 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:
II lost the trail. know he arrived
In Victoria July 25 because he was
recognized. Since then he has dropped
out of sight"
II 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 a
furtive glance at the face Of the man
ager. "Of course his majesty's war
rant opens all doors to- my knock. but
I always choose the other way when
1t 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-man" he challenged.
Escaped convict" corrected Duffy
with a square look into Woolson's
stern eyes. Il can think Of no reason
except that he was your friend-and
pardon me. sir. your testimony was
given reluctantly. l hope you won''
take offense. but I've got to have your
best help, whether you are willing OF
not. Besides accomplishing the ends
Of justice. there's big reward out for
Kimballs capture. and want it" he
smiled greedily.
"a reward large enough to lure yor
to the uttermost end Of the earth.
fancy" observed Woolson carelessly.
A rueful look overspread the ruddy
face of the inspector. Hardly that
he responded. "The Yukon Is the
limit so far as I'm concerned. My
times worth something at home"
Woolson touched bell. "Mr. Jane
son will be at your service. inspector
and If you decide to 60 to the Yukon
one of our steamers will sail at g to-
morrow morning. Here Is pass that
will take you up the coast to your
destination, whatever it 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. motionless. Then he
put on his hat and went out
The long stream Of coolies wavereo
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. Hes q
clumsy beggar. Send him to the pay
master tonight"
Whenever the long line struggled to
it's final end the last man. tall and
Raunt a ragged cloth tied about his
head and half concealing a yellow
countenance. would pause to stretch
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
wavering gait with which he followed
his companions. '
Always he was the last man to
reach the gangplank with bis burden
for the steamers hold. and. returning,
he was the last to leave the vessel.
The tallyman swore at him In various
Languages, and his mates grinned
childishly at his meek acceptance OF
the insults that were heaped upon bis
bowed back.
Woolson, observing all this. clinched
his strong hands ON the counter. Once
his mouth opened to reprimand thu
tallyman. but 1t snapped shut as he
observed the roly poly form OF In
spector Duffy coming down the wharf
The detective cast sleepy glance
over the men on the wharf. stared Inn
pudently into Hodgson's face and
when that belligerent gentleman nunf
an angry word at him flashed oper
bis coat and displayed bis badge to tht
utter confusion Of the tallyman.
This betrayal Of petty vanity on TIN
part Of the inspector brought CLEAN
to Woolson's brooding eyes. he step