New Ulm review., 1914-08-12

his glance was not directly
upon me. and ! lifted my own
eyes to the surface of the tar
nished mirror behind where he sat. 1t
- reflected the large portrait Of the late
Judge Henley hanging on the opposite
wall. and-by the gods-I thought l
saw it move, settle back into position!
was upon my feet instantly, swing
ing aside into better position for de-
fense. Before Coombs could realize
what had occurred had the gun muz-
zle at the side Of his head.
"Now answer" l commanded sharp
ly. Whose orders put you hereY'
He choked. shrinking back helpless
in the chair.
"You won't always have the drop on
me-"
"Well, 1 have now Speak up Who
{ is the man?'
T "Philip Henley" he whispered. so
low I scarcely caught the name
"What!"
"Waal. told yer" he growled re-
sentfully. "Yer kin believe er not, just
as you please, but so help me that's
Tie IIuLu. IcChOu ! huO".
4 As stared at him. half believing.
K half fncredulous, l became conscious
that she stood in the hall doorway.
III Coombs lifted his head, glad Of any
Nresplte, and glanced aside also, drop
ping the pistol back into my coat
pocket.
"You-you were quarreling?" she
asked. coming into the room. "You
We're so long l became anxious and
came down"
Nothing serious" l assured her smil-
ingly. "Coombs here was a little re-
'uctant to impart information, and
was compelled to resort to primitive
Methods. The result has been quite
satisfactory"
,,",xin go now?" he asked uneasily. -
3 nv Yes. by way of the front door,
Z ma. watched his great hulking figure
alll he disappeared along the path
:s as ling around the house. l had no
g., 4, that he would ever face me open
!, th,gA All l needed to guard against was
bc F,chery. Then l turned and looked
!, 8 the questioning eyes Of the woman
What did you learn? What did he
y ,ay?'
"Only one thing of real Importance
i answered in subdued tone. land
dragged that out of him by threat. He
was not employed by Neale, and the
fellow who was sent down here to as
+ sist us was disposed of in some way
=" "Killed you mean?'
II II suspect as much. but Coombs
claims he was kicked off the place and
returned north
+ For moment she stood silent, breath
ing heavily, her eyes on my face. In
the pause l saw again the picture of
the old judge and remembered.
"Why is be here, then? What au-
thority has he?"
"Come outside into the garden and
will tell you the whole story"
In front of the veranda and to the
right of>the brick walk the latticework
of small summer house could be dis
cerned through a maze of shrubbery
and weeds. On rustic seat within we
were completely screened from observa-
ton. With flushed cheeks and eyes
bright and questioning she could scarce
ly wait for me to begin.
"Now tell me. Surely we are out of
sight and hearing"
II do not think 1 shall ever be entire
~ ly assured as to that until know more
of our exact situation," replied, speak
ing cautiously. I'VE may have been
seen coming here. and those weeds
would easily conceal an eavesdropper.
The truth is, l have gained very little
information of value and am as mysti-
fled as ever. If that fellow told the
truth it is beyond my understanding
think he lied and yet cannot be sure
He claims to be working under the or
ders Of Philip Henley"
"What! Impossible!'
$50 l felt, and consequently hesitat-
NJ ed to tell you, but now that l have
~ been compelled to do so. will explain
In full. He said this under q menace,
condition which often inspires men
to speak the truth. can scarcely
imagine his making up such a story,
for he is a dull witted fellow, and
even before he had threatened to test
your claims to be Henley's wife,"
"You told him, thenY
Everything, except the original
cause OF our being here. determined
this morning to fight in the open. un-
= der my own name That is the right
lA,way, is it not?''
=, Eyes. think so,' and she lifted her
eyes to mine. II like you better for
that"
II think l like myself better ALSO" [
said with laugh. Il confess didn't
care much at first. But after what
you said the night of our arrival |
began to view the thing in new light,
and to despise my part in it. Yet even