The Raymer enterprise., 1913-12-04

light had declined, but in the dark
ness OF the closet this change had
passed unheeded. Night itself might
come, but that should not force him to
leave his post SO long as his neigh.
Dor remained behind his locked door.
brooding over the words of love and
devotion which had come to him, as 1t
were, from the other world.
But was he brooding? That sound
OF iron clattering upon iron! That
smothered exclamation and the laugh
which ended It! Anger and determin.
alton rang in that laugh. 1t had
hideous sound which prepared Sweet
water for the smell which now reached
his. nostrils. The letters were burn
Ing: this time the lid had been lifted
from the stove with unrelentlng pur
pose. Poor Edith Challoner's touch
Ing words had met a different fate
from any which she. in her ignorance
OF this mans nature-a nature to
which she had ascribed untold perfeo-
tions-could possibly have conceived.
AS Sweetwater thought Of this, he
stirred nervously in the darkness. and
broke into silent invective against the
man who could SO insult the memory
of one who had perished under the
blight Of his own coldness and mis-
understanding. Then he suddenly
started back surprised and apprehen.
sive. Brotherson had unlocked his
door, and was coming rapidly his way.
Sweetwater heard his step in the hall
and had hardly time to bound from
his closet. when he saw his own door
burst in and found himself face to
face with his redoubtable neighbor, In
a state Of such rage as few men could
meet without quailing. even were they
of his own stature, physical vigor and
prowess; and Sweetwater was a small
man.
However, disappointment such as
he had just experienced brings with It
q desperation which often outdoes
courage, and the detective. smiling
with an air Of gay surprise. shouted
out:
We'll. what's the matter now? Has
the machine busted. or tumbled into
the fire or sailed away to lands un.
known out Of your open window!"
"You were coming out OF that
closet" was the fierce rejoinder.
What have you got there? Some
thing which concerns me, or why
should your face go pale at my pres.
ence and your forehead drip with
sweat? Don't think that you've do.
ceived me for moment as to your
business here recognized you i'm
mediately. You've played the stranger
well. but you've nose and an eye
nobody could forget. l have known
all along that had police spy for
neighbor; but It didn't faze me. I've
nothing to conceal, and wouldn't mind
a regiment Of you fellows II you'd only
play straight game. But when II
comes to foisting upon me n parcel OF
letters to which have no right, and
then setting fellow like you to count
my groans or whatever else they ex.
pected to hear. have n right to de-
tend myself. and defend myself / will,
by God! But first. let mo be sure
that my accusations will stand. Come
into this closet with me. 1t abuts on
the wall Of my room and has its own
secret, know. What Is 1t? | have
you at an advantage now. and you
shall tell"
He did have Sweetwater at an ad.
vantage. and the detective knew II
and disdained a struggle which would
have only called up crowd. friendly
to the other but inimical to himself
Allowing Brotherson to drag him into
the closet. he stood quiescent. while
the determined man who held him
with one hand. felt about with the 9th
er over the shelves and along the
partitions till he came to the hole
which had offered such happy means
Of communication between the tive
rooms. Then, with laugh almost al
| oiteVi ~ toho 40 tha' Which IuuB lTuIu
Brotherson's lips. he acknowledged
that business had Its necessities ant
that apologies from him were in or
der: adding, as they both stepped Out
into the rapidly darkening room:
We've played bout. we two: and
you've come out ahead Allow me te
congratulate you. Mr.. Brotherson
You've cleared yourself so far as an
concerned. leave this ranch tonight
Tho frown had come back to the
forehead OF tho indignant man whs
confronted him.
80 you listened" he cried; "lis
tened when you weren't sneakIng un
der my eye. A fine occupation for .
man who can dove.tall a corner like
an adept. wish | had let you joir
the brotherhood you we're good enough
to mention. They would know how Il
appreciate your double gifts and how
to reward your excellence In the one
II not In the other. What did tho 20
lice expect to learn about mo thai
they should consider It necessary Il
call into exercise such extraordinary
talents?"
I'm not good at conundrums. wai
| rivon n task tn nerform md I oor