Newark evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1916, 1913-02-25

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amt dead, wish l may never see
| deathW
"Dead!' cried the colonel. "Archi-
bald Mcbride dead" He released
his hold on Mr. shrimplin and took a
step toward the door; Shrimplin,
however, detained him with a shak-
ing hand. though he was calmer now.
Colonel, you'd better be careful,
he's lying there in pool of blood;
some ones killed him for his money!
How do we know the murderer amt
there!" This conjecture was made to
the empty street, for Colonel Harbi-
son had entered the store.
"Why does he want to leave me like
that" walled Shrimplin, and his panic
threatened a return.
He dragged himself to the door.
Here he paused, since he could not
bring himself to enter, for before his
eyes was the CHASTITY vision of that
old man huddled on the blood-stained
floor He heard the colonePs steps
echo down the long room, and whe1i
their sound ceased he knew he was
standing beside the dead man. After
what seemed an age of waiting the
steps sounded again, and moment
later the colonel's tall form filled the
doorway.
ANDY" said the colonel
Mr.. Shrimplin turned with start.
At his back within reach of his hand
stood Andy Gilmore. He had been
utterly unaware of the gamblers ap.
proach. but now conscious of it he
dropped in a miserable heap on the
door-siIl, while the white and unfa'
miliar world reeled before his bleached
blue eyes; it was the very drunken
ness of fear.
"Howdy. colonel said the gambler,
as he gave HARRISON a half military
salute.
He admired the colonel, who had
once threatened to horsewhip him If
ne ever permitted his nephew, Watt,
TO enter his rooms.
Come here, Andy" ordered the
colonel briefly.
Gods sake, colonel" gasped the
wretched little lamplighter, struggling
to his feet, don't leave me here
What's wrong, colonel?" asked Gill
more.
Archibald McBride's been muir
dered"
Mr.. Gilmore took the butt of the
half smoked cigar from between his
teeth. tossed it into the gutter, and,
pushing past Mr. Shrimplin, entered
the room.
Colonel HARRISON, step or two in
advance of his companion. led the
way to the rear of the store. The col
onel paused and Gilmore gained a
place at his elbow.
You are sure he's dead?' ques-
toned the gambler.
Kneeling beside the crumpled figure
Gilmore slipped his hand in between
the body and the floor; his manner
was cool and business like. After a
moment he withdrew his hand and
looked up into the colonefs face.
"Well?" asked the colonel.
ooh. he's dead, all right" Gilmore
glanced about him, and the colonefs
ewes following, they both discovered
that the door leading into the side
yard was partly open.
HE went that way, eh, colonel?'
TITS altogether likely" agreed the
veteran.
TITS nasty businessi' said Gill
more, reflectively.
"Shocking," snapped the colonel.
"He took big chances" commented
the gambler. Giving the way he did"
He spoke of the dead man.
Poor old man" said the colonel,
pityingly.
What had it all amounted to, those
chances for the sake of gain, which
Gilmore had in mind.
"He can't haze been dead very
long" said Gilmore. Did you find
him." colonel" he asked as he stood
erect.
mo. Shrimplin found him."
Again the two men looked about
them. On the floor by the counter
at their right was heavy sledge.
Gilmore called Harbison's attention
to this.
81 guess the job was done with
that" he said.
Possibly" agreed HARRISON.
Gilmore picked up the sledge and
examined it narrowly.
Eyes, you can see, there is blood
on it," He handed It to HARRISON,
who stepped under the nearest lamp
with the clumsy weapon in his hand.
you are right, Andy" and he
glanced at the rude instrument of
death with a look Of repugnance on
his keen sensitive face; then he care
| fully placed it under the wooden
counter. "Horrible!" he muttered to
| himself
1T was no joke for him." said the
gambler, catching the last word. But
someone was bound to try this dodge
sooner or later. Why, as far back as
l car remember, people said he kept
his money hidden away at the bottom
of nail kegs and under heaps Of
scrap-iron." He took a cigar from
| his pocket, bit off the end and struck
a match. well, 7 wouldn't want to
be the other fellow colonel; I'd be in
all kinds of panic; it takes nerve
for job like this"
tits d shocking circumstance" said
the colonel.
II wonder If it paid" speculated
the gambler. And I wonder who'll
get what he leaves. Has he any
family or relatives
TO Be Continued Tomorrow