Rock Island Argus., 1913-01-08

er over the shelves and along the
partitions till he came to the hole
which had offered such a happy means
of communication between the two
rooms. Then, with a laugh almost as
bitter in tone as that which rang from
Brotherson's lips, he acknowledged
that business had its necessities and
that apologies from him were in Or
der; adding, as they both stepped out
into the rapidly darkening room:
We've played q bout, we two; and
you've come out ahead. Allow me to
congratulate you, Mr.. Brotherson.
You've cleared yourself so far as am
concerned. leave this ranch tonight"
The frown had come back to the
forehead of the indignant man who
confronted him.
so you listened" he cried; "lis-
tened when you weren't sneaking un-
der my eye! A fine occupation for a
man who can dove-tail a corner like
an adept. l wish l had let you join
the brotherhood you were good enough
to mention. They would know how to
appreuiate your double gifts and how
to reward your excellence in the one,
If not in the other. What did the po-
lice expect to learn about me that
they should consider It necessary to
call into exercise such extraordinary
talents?"
'Im not good at conundrums. was
| given a task to perform. and ! per-
/ formed it," was Sweetwater's sturdy
/ reply. Then slowly, with his eye fixed
directly upon his antagonist. 81 guess
they thought you a man. And 80 did
/ until l heard you burn those letters.
Fortunately we have copies"
"Letters!" Fury thickened the
speakers voice. and lent a savage
! CLEAN to his eye. "Forgeries! Make
believes! Miss Challoner never wrote
the drivel you dare to designate as let
! ters. 1t was concocted at police head
quarters. They made me tell my story
and then they found some one who
could WELD the poetic pen. I'm
obliged to them for the confidence
they show in my credulity. l credit
Miss Challoner with such words as
have been given me to read here to-
day? knew the lady, and I know my
not an event in which we were both
concerned, has been forgotten by me,
and no feature OF our intercourse Ats
the language you have ascribed to
her. On the contrary, there is a la
mentable contradiction between facts
as they were and the fancies you have
made her indulge in. And this, as you
must acknowledge, not only proves
their falsity, but exonerates Miss Chal-
loner from all possible charge of sen.
timentality."
"Yet she certainly wrote those let
ters. We had them from Mr.. Challon-
er. The woman who brought them was
really her maid. We have not de-
ceived you in this"
81 do not believe you"
1t was not extensively said; but the
conviction 1t expressed was absolute.
Sweetwater recognized the tone, as
one OF truth. and inwardly laid down
his arms. He could never like the
man; there was too much iron in his
fiber; but he had to acknowledge that
as a foe he was invulnerable and
therefore admirable to one who had
the good sense to appreciate him.
'T do not want to believe you"
Thus did Brotherson supplement his
former sentence. For II were to at
tribute those letters to her, ! should
have to acknowledge that they were
written to another man than myself.
And this would be anything but
agreeable TO me. Now | am going to
my room and 10 my work You may
spend the rest OF the evening or the
whole night, If you will. listening at
that hole. AS heretofore, the labor
win be all yours, and the indifference
mine"
With a satIrical play OF feature
which could hardly be called a smile,
he nodded and left the room.