The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1913-03-07

single broad sail. And below 1t are
three letters: d. M. N"
Blindly ] clutched the back OF
chair with both hands, for sense OF
unreality oppressed me. and the room
itself became waveringly unsubstan-
tial.
II was not true, OF course, this that
Bryan was saying. Nothing was true.
Nothing was real. II was all night
mare; and the two gloating yellow
masks were horrible dream faces.
And you have probably noticed
| scar---a long livid SCARF"
II was iup Sings voice heard. lie
was still questioning the nurse. And
| now Bryan would make another pre-
posterous answer. Just as persons al
ways do In dreams. | knew he would
So when he said: yes, sir, just be-
tween the left shoulder blade and the
spinal column. II looks as though IL
| were the mark of deep and vicious
knife SLASH" was not in the least sur
prised.
Checkabeedy brought me back to
| realization Of time and place. lie
| spoke my name In a half-whisper and
awoke again 10 realities with start.
| The officers are here, sir he IN
formed me. matter-offactly.
The offlcers?" repeated, and then,
memory ressserting itself. l added:
On, yes. OF course. Ask them TO wait
just moment, Checkabeedy."
| Into the mental marshalling OF facts
which ensued there came vivid mem
DRY of that weird scene in the sick
chamber when Cameron had raved In
a strange tongue. mingled with words
OF pidgin-English and few phrases
| discriminating phrases, in the light OF
tonight's revelation-of vigorous YER
nacular. II what Bryan had said was
true--and for him to lie about mat
ter as readily demonstrable was hard
ly TO be considered must conclude
myself beaten at all points. From nrst
to last. then, had been defending
creature unworthy OF defense.
1t was difficult TO accept this con
clusion. Mind and heart alike were
arrayed against If. Yet. thinking
clearly now. recognized fully the po-
SION in which had placed myself.
/ had been 'Wling to swear. to wager.
there was no tttoo mark. and the best
o evidence-my own witness--had
: proved me wrong Certainly l could
o expect no mild judpent from these
Asiatics. Honest as had peeh. 'nsy
must believe that I hi known. ana
II / Il
u probably thought that had Enaiieo
e to Bryan TO endorse me in my lie ana
l. that the nurse had either misunds'
/. stood or openly rebelled.
Before Checkabeedy had reached tn
= door. recalled him.
"On second thought" said, the O
It ficers need not wait. Tell them ths
y 1t was mistake. shall not reQuiI
II them.
4 Turning 10 Yup Sing and his con
panion. added:
X What MIR. Bryan has told you Is tl
q greatest surprise to me. Even yet
can scarcely believe ii. unless tn
mark and the scar were obtained viii
my friend was a prisoner in the hand
= or your cOuntfymeH.
y Tattoo marks and scars show az
d no less than faces" the merchant r
piled. Both of these are years oil
e AEy capable Judge or such things wi
tell you that. Possibly Mr.. Bryan ca
II tell
q THE scar is not a fresh one sa
the nurse. AS to tattoo marks. ! a.
not experienced; but | shouldn't thin
the mark on MIR. Cameron's arm W;
put there recently"
Q Gentlemen" said, making fin
o stand, while | do not question NJ
T. Bryan's entire honesty in this matte
% nevertheless ! prefer to see the!
j. marks OF Identification. myself. II yC
will excuse us for FIVE minutes, | sha
T. not be longer"
&c At the foot OF the grand staircas
'e Evelyn Joined me. Bryan, at nay su
70 gestion, went to the elevator and a
I cended that way, while she and slo'
y ly climbed the broad, velvet-earpets
: marble steps to the floor above.
Il thought yoa were never Somir
II out Of that room" she declared, ner
d. ously. Once, ] was on the verge
IS going after you. The first Hme W
IS rang for Cheokabeedy. mean
" What did you have him telephone 70
70 He absolutely refused TO tell FL
Was II the two policemen?
q What did you want them for?.
% Why did you let them go away agar
pt Aren't those Cinnamon ev
y going? What on earth did W
want with Mr.. Bryan? VIII
Il are you going upstairs for, now"
How tactfully ! answered these que
;. lions and others shall not attempt
Is decide | know only that set n
d, teeth to guard the one problem viii,
ut absorbed me, and which for worlds
pr would not have her know
~ at is all right, Evelyn" ! assur,
I'd her, over and over again. There
not the smallest danger. Tn,
re came to give me information.
| You must be very tired. little gi
ID Go to bed, now, and forget
Ill - I