The Ordway new era., 1913-03-28

however. tempered my Judgment.
The possibility OF illneas pr injury in
tervened, add paused Samaritan-like
to offer succor. The wayfarer was evi-
IDENTIFY Q man q middle age. II might
Judge from the contour Of his back.
which was towards me. and ! saw at
once that he was struggling to keep
upon his feet by sheer muscular hand
hold of the railing's iron uprights. for
his knees were bent threateninely and
his arms were extended and tense.
Until 1 was close beside him he gave
no sign of realizing my presence. In
deed think 1t was not until spoke
that he half turned his head towards
me. and. for the first time. / got sight
Of his features. l,l
Whether or not uttered word. or
made sound, or stood for long mo-
ment silent. / cannot say. know only
that I doubted my, eyes and questioned
my reason: for. II these were not
playing me false, the profile thus re-
vealed to me was the profile OF Robert
Cameron. rl
To try to set down in detail Just
what followed must be an idle effort.
with fancy providing the bulk Of the
ingredients. Surprised. amazed. as
founded even, are all too feeble terms
to apply to my emotional condition.
Dazedly, was houndering in what
seemed veritable sea of unreality.
When the commonplaces began to re-
adjust themselves. l was standing at
the curb, my arm wound supportingly
about Cameron's waist and his arm
pressing heavy on my shoulder. Draw
ing in to us was an empty hanson
cab. provided by Providence. and
hailed. ! suppose. BY me, though I
swear I have no recollection Of It.
Tho cabman helped me to lift him
in, and at this the pity Of his plight
smote me. ternpering the Joy Of having
found him. and quickening within me
spirit Of angry retaliation against
his enemies For the man now at my
side was far different from that man
who had sat with me ON the after deck
Of the Sibylla, only four weeks ago. He
was, indeed, It seemed to me little
more than the husk Of the Cameron
had known. In facial conformation the
change was not 10 marked, though his
,sxpression was pathetically at vari-
ance with anything had ever before
seen him wear. The lines Of his face
were drawn, a. with pain, and his eyes
were dull to vacancy. He lolled.
sieazily. in crumpled heap in his cor
ner. like a spinefess manikin; and
though piled him eagerly with Hood
Of questions, he might have been a deaf
mute for all the answersshe accorded
me. Once / thought he shook his
head In negation, but l was later
forced to conclude that this was fnvol-
untary, being caused by the roll Of the
cab as one Of its wheels encountered .
depression in the roadway.
Yet In spite of his sorriness Of pres
ence and demeanor--in spite too Of the
tormenting mystery Of his return,
which was scarcely less bafhing than
the mystery Of his departure-it was
at least a relief to know that he was
alive and out of the power of those
that were bent upon his harm. Good
nursing. coupled with skilful medical
attention. had Just worked wonders
for me, and was confident that It
would do -the same for him; and then
we should have facts and not theories
to aid US in our quest for the culprits.
and. eventually. in the administration
Of justice to the guilty.
had given the cabman the number
Of the Cameron house and admonished
him to make all possible speed; SO.
with the long lash Of the whip snap
ping sharply ut brief intervals and the
jaded horse. thus urged, bounding at q
clumsy. numbering gallop. we rolled
noisily northward. Having given over
the effort to obtain from my fellow
passenger even a gestured answer to
my most pertinent inquiries, I turned
my mind to what lay before US. The
Cameron establishment would doubt
less be fast locked in slumber as well
a. otherwise, but made small ques-
ton Of my ability to rouse some Of the
servants. My hope, however. was not
to awaken Evelyn. It could meah only
a nights rest lost for her, for she
could gain nothing by seeing her uncle
at this hour. considering his condition.
was still busy planning when q
mighty hand on the lines brought our
horse to his launches. and ourselves
nearly out through the suddenly part.
cd apron; and the Cameron residence
loomed massive and dark on our right.
AZ stepped to the sidewalk the
driver descended, too. but motioned
him back.
Never mind, thank you." said.
"I'l get some one from inside to helm
carry him." And In moment my
thumb was on the push-button and
family there came back to me through
heavy double doors the far-off echo Of
the bell, 1arring against the silence of
the great house.
The promptness with which chains
fell and bolts were drawn surprised
me. And yet, ! suppose. It was mere
ly an evidence Of the perfect man
agement Of an establishment wherein
every contingency il provided against.