The Huttig news., 1913-02-22

However, disappointment such as he had just experienced brings with it a desperation which often outdoes courage, and the detective, smiling with an air Of gay surprise, shouted out:
 Well, what's the matter now? Has tbe 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 ehould your face go pale at my pres ence and your forehead drip with i -weat? Don't think that you've de- ceived me for 8 moment as to your business here. I 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 1 had police spy for a aeighbor; but it didn't faze me. I've aothing 10 conceal, and wouldn't mind regiment of you fellows if you'd only play straight game. But when it comes to foieting upon me parcel of letters to which I have no right. and then setting fellow like you to count my groans or whatever else they ex- pected to hear, I have a right to de lend myself. and defend myself l will, by Cod! But first, let me be sure that my accusations will stand. Come into this closet with me. IL abuts or the wall Of my room and has it's own secret, I know. What is it? l have you at an advantage now, and you shall tell
 He did have Sweafwater at an ad yanteg ge, and the detective knew it and disdained a struggle which would have only called up a crowa, friendly to the other but inimical to himself Allowing Brotherson to drag him into the closet, he stood quiescent, whil the determined man who held hin with one hand felt about with the otE er over the shelves aHd along tn partitions till he came to the hols which had offered such happy means Of communication between the twt rooms. Then, with q laugh almost as bitter in tone as that which rang fron nrothersons lins, he acknowledge that business had its necessities ant that apologies from him were in or der; adding, as they both stepped out into the rapidly daeileniHg room:
 We've played q bout, we two; anc you've come out ahead Allow me tt congratulate you. MT. Brotherson You've cleared yourself so far as I ar concerned. I leave this ranch tonight"
 The frown had come back to the forehead Of the indignant man vino confronted him.
 50 you listened" he cried: lis tened when you weren't sneaking ur- der my eye, A fine occupation for a E1an who can doye-tail corner like an adept I wish | had let you join the brotherhood you were good enough to mention. They would know how to appreciate your double gifts and how to reward your excellence in the one, if not in the other What did the pc lice expect to learn about me that they should consider it necessary to call into exercise such extraordinary 7 <talents?"
 I'm not good at conundrums I was given task to perform, and I per formed it." was SWeatwater's sturdy reply. Then slowly, with his eye fixed directly upon his antagonist, T guess they thousht you a man. Aad so did l until l heard you burn those letters. Fortunately we have copies.
 Letters!" Fury thickened the speakers voice, and lent d savage eieam to his eye. "Forgeries! Make believes! Miss Challoner never wrote the drivel ou dare to designate as let ters. It was concocted at police head quarters. They made me tell my story and then they found some one who could wield the poetic pen. I'm obliged to them for the confidence they show in my eredulity. l credit Miss Ghalloner with such words as have been given me to read here to- day? 1 knew the lady. and know my self. Nothing that passed between us, not an event in which we we're both concerned has been forgotten by me. and no feature of our intercourse fits the language you have ascribed to her. On the contrary, there is la mentable contradiction between facts as they were and the faneies 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 sem timentality"
 Yet she certainly wrote those let ters. We had them from Mir Challon- CT. The woman who brought them was really her maid. We have not de ceived you in this"
 T do not believe you"
 It was not extensively said; but the conviction it 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 ra had to acknowledge that as foe ha was invnlnerable and therefore admirable to one who had the gooG aense to appreciate him.