The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-10-27
CONTINUED from Page 2. J

,eption of that kind about me the soon-
cr you get rid of it the better
You refer doubtless to those news
paper accounts?" inquired the stranger
Matt nodded.
"Yes. all that rot" he said
I'm familiar with them" observed
the stranger, drawing up close to the
bed Perhaps I'm also more familiar
with the actual facts than you will
credit. Circumstances have forced ME
to acquaint myself with them to sep
aratr the wheat from the chaff. froul
"A vast deal OF chaff." he added I'M
brndinyly well. well, now to bust
ness With that he produced from
his pocket Il small. fiat object wrapped
in issue paper Divesting 1t of its
covering. he passed little ivory NINA,
turr to Matt do you happen to rec
ognize that person." he asked
Nrtt took it with surprise, for it was
| trimmed with diamonds and backed
with gold like an unwieldy brooch
with surprise that changed to con
stcrlntion rs he behold the unmistaka-
| bic face of John Mort 1t was a face
younger by twenty years than the
John Mort ne had known. smoother
and more rounded and with the hair
ato~rih her black; 4 tiattcring picture
much too pink and prettilica and
youtllflll!y handsome for even the orig
inal ut the age 1t represented him
But il was John Mort just the same
He could have picked it out Of a room
fn of miniatures. Il whole gallery
John Mort staring up at him from a
circlet of diamonds, with an impcr"llS
air that somehow had been caught
while all the rest was falsifed by the
obseqniO,s artist
Chills ran down Mats back 1t WAS
as though he were detected in crime.
He was thankful for the poor light
that must have screened his expression
of dismay. for all Morris warnings
were now upon him in a torrent and
his own promises. his own pledged
word. Here was what John Mort had
feared "the wolves" he had called
them-in voice he had lowered even
there. apprehensive still on that lost
reef. in those lost and lonely seas
The heavy lidded eyes took on Il new
and ominouS significance as Matt felt
their glance on him What evil were
they meditating? What was their sin
lister purpose in seeking him ont to be
tray his friend?
He returned the miniature. speaking
as he did so with his pipe in his
mouth--a subterfugc he had found use
full before. especially when under fire
real fre-bullets. 1t is the mouth that
tells secrets. and that in other ways
than words A pipe Is help II
hides agitation and suggests uncon
Germ
well. what about it?" said Mat
through his teeth
Il asked If you recognized him."
"Scen this person before. do yor
mean? No. | don't know who he Is
Why. do you expect me to?
The stranger was not at all nonplus
ed. 1t was disconcertins how cooly
he took the announcement He care
fully replaced the miniature In hi
pocket, remarking that 1t was "a pity.
"I've something here that may fresh
EN- your recollection" he went on, pro
ducing wallet and from the VALE
a thick roll of notes. Pulling up hi
chair 80 close to the bed that his knee
touched It. he began to spread green
backs on the coverlet as though en-
gagged in a singular game Of patience
A row Of six. another row Of six.
third row Of six. and Matt amazed
perceived that they were in denomina
tons Of 1000 each.
"My God" he cried What ar
you-a mint?"
The stranger. with CLEAN Of yellow
teeth and the first smile he had pc,
0 mitted himself, completed fourt
- row from packet that was vet ia
from exhausted Then he stopped an
| said: mo. not a mint Merely pei
son who seeks little information
and is very willing to pay for it :"
II Matt eyed the serted notes-sl .0W
$1,000. $1,000 In green and owe
whelming profusion: 1000. 81 900, 81
600 up and down. with more tight
clasped in those stuhby fingers.
anything, the sight stimulated all Il
obstinacy in him. enhancing his loya
ty and determination in proportion
the bride But il would not do To Il
feet unconccrn. 1t would be bad pc
icy to convey the impression that
could talk ii he would. Excited /
nocence was the part that he ought
play-eager. cOvetous, astounded inn
cence.
'Twenty-four thousand dollars
exclaimed. Would you really gi
me that for recognizing a man? Ju
for looking at his picture and sayin
= That's Walter Jones or William Rile,
Why, bless you. Id do it for quart
Of that-for a single one" He pick,
I'D one of the greenbacks as be spoil
and smoothed 1t out lovingly ON b
knee. Even that would be enormous
IL =si*. People aren't paid for th