The Detroit times., 1913-01-20
CHAPTER VI.
(Contlnued.)

ever he might be, had come almost to
the front door and had then, for some
incxplicable reason, gone back Il
the street. Gilmore even imagined
him as standing there with his hand
On the latch Of the gate. He was
tcmpted TO rouse mis- two companions
but he did not, AMI then, as he still
ttood with his senses tense, he heard
the steps again approach the front
door. With glance In the direction
OF the colonel and his nephew To as
sure himself that they still slept,
Gilmore rather shamefacedly slipped
his right hand under the tails of his
coat, tiptoed into the hall aud paused
there close by the parlor door. The
steps outside continued, he heard the
porch floor give under a weight, and
then some one raped softly on the
deer.
Gilmore waited an instant the rap
VAS repeated: he stepped 70 the door,
shot the bolt and opened II, The
storm had passed. 1t was now cold
and clear, brilliant, starlit, winters
night. He saw the man on the porch
clearly as he stood there with the
world In white at ais back. BGilmore
Instantly recognized him, and his
hand came from under the tails OF
his coat; he closed the door softly.
what sort of joke is this, Marsh!
he demanded in whisper.
Joker" repeated the lawyer In
thick husky voice, as he took an un-
certain step toward the gambler.
"Your coming here at this hour; IL
II isn't a joke, what II is?'
Gilmore saw that his face was flush
+ !. ii. hfa
with a light he had never seen in
them before. He must have oeen
abroad In the storm for some time,
for the snow had lodged in the rim OF
his hat and his shoulders were still
white with it; now and again a par
oxysm OF shivering seized him.
sWhisky chill" thought the gam
bier. Come In, Marsh" he said, but
Iangham seemed TO draw back in
stinctively.
.No, gaess not Andy" and
aickly pallor oyerspread his face.
whats the matter with your de-
manded Gilmore.
IT want TO see you" said the other
II can't go home yet" He swayea
heavily. At need to talk to you on
matter Of business. Come on out
come on on of here" and he led the
way down the porch steps. Whom
have you in there with your" he ques-
ifioned when he had drawn Gilmore
little way along the path.
"The colonel and Watt HARRISON.
mo one elsef'
mo"
.Do they know I'm here?"
~ II guess not, they were asleep two
minutes ago. -
That's good. / don't want to see
khem. / want to see you"
'wouldn't It keep, Marsh" asked
Gilmore.
mo, sir, II wouldn't keep; want
TO tell you just what think OF you
you damn"
"Oh. that will keep, Marsh, any
time will do for that; anyway, you
have told me something like that al
ready! When you sober up
do you think I'm drunk
II don't think anything about IT,
sWell. maybe | am, ] have been
|tunder a strain. But I'm not too drunk ,
Ito attend to business; am never too /
drunk for that. wish to say have
the money"
His lips twitched, and Gilmore,
watching him furtiveIy, saw that he
was again shivering.
"You got what, Marsh?' demanded
Gilmore in a whisper
"The money, the money owe you,
ooh, ] see!" He fell back step
and stared at Langham; there was
apprehension dawning in. his eyes.
ssWhere did you get it," he asked.
But Langham shook his head
That's my business: it's enough !.
for you to get your money
We'll you were quick about IL"
said Gilmore, and he rested his hand
on the lawyers arm.
Langham moved a step aside.
"You' threatened me-" he said re.
sentfully. but with drunken dignity ,
"You were going to smash me; wish
to say that now you can smash and
be damned! have the money" n
'Oh, come, Marsh! Don't you feel
cut up ABBOTT that; didn't mean TO !
make you mad; you mustn't hold that
against me-" Il
you come TO my office tomorrow |
and get your money" said Langham.
still with dignity. I've been under !
q great strain getting that money, I
and now I'm done with you" !
Gilmore laughed II
What are you laughing at
You, you fool! But you aren't {
done with me; we'll be closer friends
than ever after this. Just now you
are too funny for me TO take serious
~. You go home and sleep of this
drunk; that's my advice to YOU, I'd \
give good deal TO know where YOU 4
have been and what sort OF a fool I.
you have been making of yourself
since I saw you last" added Gilmore
Don't you worry about me: I'm all.
right. What l want to say is lend
me your keys; | can't go home this
way-lend me your keys and IN 90
70 your rooms and sleep It on"
All right, Marsh; think Won can
yet there7"
"Of course: I'm all right"
And you'll 60 there II I rive vou
my keys-you'll SO nowhere elsef"
~Of course l won't, Andy"
you won't stop to talk with any
nne?"
who'll I find to talk with at this
Tine OF the night? laughed the
1rnnken man derisively. It's three
o'clocki Say. Andy. who'll | find to
AL TOT"
-By God. hope no one, you fool"
Mnfterod Gilmore.
~Wen. give me the keys. Andy. I'll
IS along and get to bed. and ! want
-rn 20 forget this conversation"
-