The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1912-07-19
CHAPTER Iv-(continued).

CHAPTER IV-(continued).
BY Jove. I had my own opinion
about that, knew he must have
seen one before: but just went or
questioning, to gain time. you know
and wondering all the while how
should ever be able to break the truth
to the poor fellow.
Tell me again what he was like"
said. How did you know he was q
Chinaman!"
Why. by his long black pigtail
sir. and his onery color. But never
saw no Chira!nan as ugly as this one
no sir. Oh. he was just too awful
horrh TO lool; at. sir. His forehead
sloped away back. or maybe the front
part OF his head being all shaved
made IL look that way. And the skin
about his eyes was painted white with
red streaks shooting around like rays
OF light .
mo beard or mustache. ! suppose?
suggested. feeling my own smooth,
shaver face. jenkins reply was a
surprise:
Yes, sir: there were long black
kind Of rat tails that dropped down
from the sides of his mouth. And
then his neck-ugh-all thick with
wooily hair"
"Oh, It was. ch?" said drily, think.
ing OF the long red stripe that my
collar concealed. Il suppose you felt
this, eh. when you jumped at his
throat?"
jenkins rubbed his chin with a puz-
sled air
why. that's uncommon queer. sir;
but now that you remind me, do re-
member that his neck felt perfectly
smooth-and II wasn't so big. either.
Why, should say 1t felt just about
like yours would. sir
eyed him rusfully.
by Jove. I don't doubt IL a mn.
ute" commented With some dis
gust
We'll. go on With your yarn. You
were telling, when ! interrupted, about
rushing into my bedroom"
"Yes, SIR" he resumed with ANNA
ton. And when / didn't find you, I
was just frantic, for didn't know you
had gone out, sir-never thought of
that; went for the ugly monster
with the big pistol there in the CAB
ipet-which. by the way. sir. the low
down villain stole when he locked ne
UP and liz out"
had an inspiration.
81 see." broke in carelessly; land
then you demanded TO know where
was-that Il? Then you backed him
to that window, and he told you he
had chucked me into the street.
whereupon you tried to blow OF his
head and knocked the jolly daylights
out Of the lady with the fencing foil"
jenkins. his mouth agape, viewed
me with distended eyes.
Il didn't tell you that. sir" he fal.
tered. How"
And when you dropped the weap-
on" ! went on. this chap coliared II.
tabbed the beastly thing into you, ard
told you to look at him. And By Jove
you wouldn't"
jenkins groaned slightly. The
apologize cough with which he strove
20 mantle the sound was dry and
spiritless.
"No, sir; II seemed easier TO die,
sir" he muttered-"what with him
grinning like a fiend and his long
teeth a-sticking out over his lip
ugh" Then he added wonderingly:
But what gets me is how you should
know, sir."
looked at him graveiy.
jenkins" said gently. Il know.
because II so happens I was here all
the time"
His eyes bulged incredulously.
"You. sir? You mean In this room ?"
I nodded slowly. Il mean right in
this room was witness OF the
whole thing"
Jenkins Just gulpet motioued to
q chair.
you may SIT down. Jenkins. nv
Door fellow" I said compassionateiy.
] poured out some whisky and gave
n to him.
you must brace yourself for a
great shock, my poor Jenkins" I said
soothingiy. And then I thought had
Best hurry on. for could tell by the
way HIS eyes rolled and the blue color
q his lips that probably was Just
n time to head OF another attack.
And then I told him all.
And here" concluded, ARE the
marks OF your fingers under my col.
~. and the pistol Is on top OF the
bookcase"
Jenkins just sat there. kind OF hud-
oled up. you know. and his face al
white as the whatyou-call-it snow.
Dldnt seem able to say q word. BY
pbye. II was too much for me: my
onart Just went out 70 him.
Ms ~ right Jeahins." said kind