The Forrest City times., 1913-05-16

however, l tempered my judgment. The possibility of illness or injury in tervened, and I paused Samaritan-like 10 oner succor. The wayfarer was evi- gently man of middle age. If might Judge from the contour Of his back. which was towards me, and l 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 threateningly and ms arms were extended and tense.
 Until l was close beside him he gave no sign Of realizing my presence. IT, deed l think 1t was not until l spoke that he half turned his head towards me, and, for the first time. got sight Of his features.
 Whether or not uttered g word, or made sound, or stood for long mo ment silent. cannot say know only that doubted my eyes and questioned my reason; for, if these were not playing me false. the profile thus re vealed to ne was the profile of Robert Cameron.
 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 10 apply to my emotional condition. Dazedly, l was foundering in what seemed yeritable 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 hansom cab. provided by Providence, and hailed, I suppose. by me, though swear I have no recollection of 1t.
 The cabman helped me to lift him in, and at this the pity of his plight smote me. tempering 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 go. He was, indeed. 1t seemed to me little more than the husk of the Cameron had known. In facial conformation the change was not 50 marked, though his expression was pathetically al vari- ance with anything I had ever before seen him wear. The lines of his face were drawn, as with pain, and his eyes were dull to vacancy. He lolled sl1a zfiv {r ;, \ oo- ner. like spineless manikin; and though piled him eagerly with a flood of questions, he might have been deaf mute for all the answers he accorded me. Once I thought he shook his head In negation, but I was later forced to conclude that this was invol- untary. being caused by the roll of the cab as one of its wheels encountered a 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 bafling than the mystery of his departure-it was st least a relief 10 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 70 aid us fin our quest for the culprits, and. eventually. in the administration of justice 10 the guilty.
 had given the cabman the number of he Cameron house and admonished him 10 make all possible speed: so. with the long lash of the whip snap ping sharply at brief intervals and the faded horse. thus urged. bounding at a clumsy. numbering gallop, We rolled noisily northvard. Having given over the effort to obtain from my fellow passenger even gestured answer to my most pertinent inquiries. turned my mind 10 what lay before us. The Cameron establishment would doubt. less be fast locked In slumber as well as otherwise, but made small oues. ton of my ability to rouse some of the servants. My hope. however, was not Co awaken Evelyn. IL could mean only 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 a mighty hand on the lines brought our horse 70 his launches, and ourselves nearly out through the suddenly part. ed apron. and the Cameron residence loomed massive and dark on our right
 AS stepped 10 the sidewalk the driver descended. too. but I motioned Lim back
 Never mind. thank you" I said m get some one from inside 10 belp carry him And in a moment my thumb vas on the push button and faintly there came back to me through heavy double doors the far-ofr echo of the bell. iarring against the silence of The great house
 Ihs prouptness with which chains fell and bolts were drawn sururised We And yet suppose. it was mere lF Fu evidence Of fhe Derfar, ,~..