Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1912-03-21

Slosson languidly. "Yes, sir, Stacks
the only name for It." It was under
stood he referred to the state OF trade.
the two men. AS his eyes rested on
MurrelI, that gentleman raised the
first three fingers Of his right hand.
The gesture was ever so little, yet 1t
seemed to have a tonic effect on Mr..
Slosson. What might have developed
into a smile had he not Immediately
suppressed it, twisted his bearded
lips as he made an answering move
ment. "Eph, come here, you'll" SIos-
son raised his voice. This call
brought a half-grown black boy from
about corner Of the tavern, to whom
Murrell relinquished his horse.
Let's liquor" said the captain over
his shoulder, moving of In the direo-
ton OF the bar.
Come on, NevvyI" said Yancy fol-
lowing, and they all entered the tav-
ern.
"Well, here's to the best OF good
luckl" said Murrell, as he raised his
glass to his lips.
Same here" responded Fancy.
Murrell pulled out a roll Of bills, one
OF which he tossed on the bar. Then
after q moments hesitation he de-
tached second bill from the roll and
turned to Hannibal.
"Here, youngster--a present for
you" he said good-naturedly. Hanni-
bal, embarrassed by the unexpected
gift, edged to his Uncle Bob's side.
thank you, sir" said tho boy.
Lets have another drink" sug-
gested MurreIl.
Presently Hannibal stole out into
the yard He still held the bill in his
hand. for he did not quite know how
to dispose of his great wealth. After
debating this matter for a moment he
knotted II carefully In one corner OF
bis handkerchief.
In the tavern the three men were
drinking--Murrell with the idea that
the more Yancy came under the In
huence OF slosson's corn whisky the
easier his speculation would be ran-
aged. Mr. Yancy on his part believed
that II Murrell went to bed reason.
ably drunk he would sleep late and
give him the opportunity he coveted.
to quit the tavern unobBerved at
break Of day.
when yo' get to feelin' like sleep.
young boss, Masr slosson he says 1
show yo' TO yo' chamber" II was
sossons boy Bph.
yes, you can show me my cham
ber," Hannibal said.
Eph secured a tin candle-stick with
half-burnt candle in II and led the
way into the passage back OF the bar.
They mounted a flight OF stairs and
passed down q narrow hall. This
brought them to the back of the
building. and Eph pushed open the
door on his right.
This heahs yo' chamber" he
said, and preceding his companion In
TO the room. placed the candle on o
chair.
The moon was rising and Hannibal
went TO the open window and glanced
out. For a moment he considered the
night, not unaffected by its beauty,
then, turning from the window, he
moved his bundle and rife to the
foot OF the bed, where they would be
out OF his way, kicked OF his trousers,
blew out the candle and lay down.
Yauoy had become more and more
convinced as the evening passed that
Murreu was bent on getting him
drunk, and suspicion mounted darkiy
| TO his brain
Have a drink with mol" cried Sloe-
son, giving way to drunken laughter.
The captains dropped out, and I
low it's about time TO these here
festivities to come to an end. I'm
thinking some Of going to bed my
self" said Yanoy. He kept his eyes
fixed on Murrell. He realized that IL
the latter could prevent 1t he was
not to leave the bar. He never shift
cd his glance from Murrelrs face.
5cowling now, the captains eyes
blazed back their challenge az he
thrust his right hand under his coat
Fair play don't know who you
are. but | know what you wantI" said
Yancy, the light in his frank gray
eyes deepening. Murrell laughed and
took forward step, At the same mo-
ment Slosson snatched up q heavy
club from the back of the bar and
dealt Yaney murderous blow. A
single startled cry escaped the
Scratch HillerJ he struck out wildly
as he lurched toward Murrell. who
drew his knife and drove 1t into hfs
shoulder. Yanoy dropped heavily TO
the floor.
How long the boy slept ne never
knew, but no awoke with start and
a confused sense of things. 1t wac
evidently very late, probably long
after midnight--but whore was his
Uncle Bob7
He sank back on his pillow intens
and listening. A chilling terror that
gripped him fast and would not let
him go. mounted TO his brain.
Where was his Uncle BobY Why
didn't he come to bed? Memories Of
idle tales OF men foully dealt with in
these lonely taverns flashed through
his mind.
He slid from the bed, and for .
long moment stood cold and shaking,
his every sense on the alert. With
Infinite caution he got into his trous-
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