The Liberal democrat. [volume] (Liberal, Kan.) 1911-1924, 1912-11-15
rormed me. matter.of.factly.

| Ou, yes, VI course. Ash them W wal
just moment, Checkabeedy"
Into the mental marshalling OF facts
which ensued there came vivid mem
ory Of that weird scene in the sick
chamber when Cameron had raved In
a strange tongue, mingled with words
of pidgin.English and few phrases
discriminating phrases, in the light OF
tonight's revelation--of vigorous yer.
| nacular. If what Bryan had said was
true-and for him to lie about mat
ter as readily demonstrable was hard
ly to be considered--l must conclude
myself beaten at all points. From first
to last, then, had been defending a
creature unworthy Of defense.
1t was difficult to accept this con-
clusion. Mind and heart alike were
arrayed against it. Yet, thinking
clearly now, recognized fully the po-
sltion in which | had placed myself |
had been willing to swear to wager,
there was no tattoo mark, and the best
evidence-my own witness--had
proved me wrong. Certainly l coNl
expect no mild Judgment from these
AsA,tics, Honest as / had been, they
must believe that had known, and
had meant to deceive them. They
probably thought that had signalled
to Bryan to endorse me In my lies, and
that the nurse had either misunder-
stood or openly rebelled.
Before Checkabeedy had reached the
door, recalled him.
"On second thought" said, "the Of
ficers need not wait Tell them that
1t was mistake. shall not require
them"
Turning to Yup Sing and his com
panion, | added;
What Mr. Bryan has told you is the
greatest surprise to me. Even yet |
can scarcely believe it, unless the
mark and the scar We're obtained while
my friend WAS prisoner in the hands
Of your countrymen." ta,
Tattoo marks and scars show age.
no less than faces" the merchant re-
piled. Both of these are years old,
Any capable judge of such things will
tell you that. Possibly Mr.. Bryan can
tell"
The scar is not a fresh one" said
the nurse. "As to tattoo marks, am
not experienced but ! shouldn't think
the mark on Mr.. Cameron's arm was
put there recently"
Gentlemen" | said, making final
stand, while | do not question Mr..
Bryan's entire honesty in this matter
nevertheless ! prefer to see these
marks of Identification, myself. IfyOu
will excuse us for five minutes, shall
not be longer"
At the foot Of the grand staircase,
Evelyn joined me. Bryan, at my sug-
gestion, went to the elevator and as
cended that way, while she and | slow
ly climbed the broad, velyet-carpeted
marble steps to the floor above.
Il thought you were never coming
out of that room," she declared, nerv-
ously "once, was on the yerse of
going after you. The first time you
rang for Checkabeedy, mean.
What did you have him telephone for?
He absolutely refused to tell me.
Was it the two policemen?
What did you want them for?
Why did you let them go away again?
Aren't those Cinnamon ever
going? What on earth did you
want with Mr.. Bryan? What |
are you going upstairs for, now"
How tactfully answered these ques-
ions and others shall not attempt to
decide. | know only that / set my |
eeth to guard the one problem which !
absorbed me, and which for worlds l
would not have her know.
ut is all right, Evelyn" | assured
Ter, over and over again. "There is
lot the smallest danger. They
.ame to give me information.
(ou must be very tired, little girl.
Go to bed, now, and forget It
III until morning. Yes, I'll
ell you everything, then"
wonder how many women there
re who, burning with curiosity as she
vas, would have Obliged me as she
i'd Is 1t pardonable, then, If again
ay that throughout all this trying ex-
erience she proved herself a girl Of a
Bryan was waiting for me in the
assage outside Camerons door.
Il left him. sleeping" he explained, |
and, II possible, l don't wish to dis
1rb him; so Wen go in quietly to-
ether"
Slowly and with infinite care lest
e make the least noise he turned the
mob. Quite as cautiously he opened
lie door, aud tiptoeing softly, we en-.
cred.
1t was the first time / had been in
lie room since the day of that terrible
ltburst, and 1t still held for me an at
losphere as grewsomely forbiddlng
! that of tomb.
Only one lowered light burned, over
tall, antique bureau between the
lrkly curtained windows; the cham !
er was in semi-gloom. But scarcely
i'd passed Bryan, who stopped to
ose the door with the same adroit Q
lence with which he had accom- {
lshed its opening, than stealthily !
owing white figure defined itself, Is a
ling, apparently from massive c
rived wardrobe, which stood against '
q wall nnnnaifa Tho hnnn lnntnrnd | 1