The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1914-06-04
rcontinnen

ssAw. this Henley racket you sprung last night-'bout yer being young Phil Henley come back"
 Did say thatg' ..Yar shure did,. eytne me in some srrpkfse +1 reckon my ears heard all right Why, what are yer this raorn- fng7-
 @If T. ever made any such claim as chat, Coombs, 1t rvas merely to assure our admittanee. It's different this naurning, and am going to be just as frank with you as you are with me. Is that squareT'
 .sI reckon" uneasily, not yet able to gauge my purpose and feeling his bluff . failure. 1T ain't got nothin' ter lie about so fur as know Let's go in side. whar we kin have 1t out quiet like.'
 followed him into the front room. and he kicked out chair so as to bring my face to the windows. As sank into it I noticed a dusty mirror oppo- site which gave me a dim reflection of the entire room. Coomfs shut the door leading to the hack of the house and sat down facing me his big hands on his knees. His effort to look pleasant only made him appear uglier than usual
 ssWaal, go ong' he said grudny.
 I crossed my legs comfortably and leaned hack in the chair. quito con- sciOus of thus adding to his irritation. My best card was cool indifference. There is not much to say.'' re-. piled deliberately. sI'll answer your questions so far as I think best, and then I'll ask few of you. The lady upstairs is Viola Henley, the wife of F4 Sz- here 10 take legal possession of this property That is the situation in nutshell I am merely accompanying her to make sure that she eets a square deal.1
 Ills jaw gagged. and his eyes wan dered
 .-ohr' he managed to. articulate. What is your real game2"
 Exactly as I have stated 1t, Coombs To the best of my knoWledge Philip Henley Ia dead-at least he has dlsap- peared-and hls, widow is the rfghtfsIl heir to this estate.'
 -sWaal, I reckon he afn't dead-not by a Jugfnlg'
 felt the hot blood pump in my veins. Did the man know this to be true, or was he merely making the claim for efKectr'
 nat or COUT8e. remains 70 tDG proved p returned smiIingly.
 --Oh. does It. now. So does this yer wife Business to my tbfnkin' EvaaI, it won't take long ter settle the matter. believe me Who are you enyhow 2''
 My name is Craig-Gordon Craig.''
 A Iawyer79
 Not guilty"
 A detectfvegs
 Same plea"
 thought he gave grant Of relief. 1-sAIl rfgbt. then I reckon got yer number, Craig Yer after a little easy money Somehow. yer caught on to the mixup down yefe am framed up a scheme to cop the coin. Might have worked. too. if I hadn't been on the job an posted Nice lookfn' girl yer picked up's-
 sDrop that Coombsr' interrupted sharply. leaning forward and staring him in the eyes
 ''Oh, too nice heylf
 ''Yes. too nice for you to befoui even with your tongue. If you mention her name again except in terms of respect there is going to be trouble.
 He laughed. opening and closing his big hands
 T mean it." I went on soberIy. Don't think I am afraid of you No. you keep your hands where they are! If it comes to a draw you'll find me quick enough to block your game Now. listen.r
 l made no display of a weapon. He could not be sure that was armed. yet my right hand was hidden In the side pocket of my cont The brute and the coward struggled for mastery in his face
 ..r-+r toi,i v,,, tFa 4-,,+1, s4.1,,+ ~wk,S> we are and our purpose in coming here.sr went on slowly and clearly. because ] have decided to fight in the opene Now. l want to know who you are-what authority you have on the Henley plantation Speak tlpv'.
 The reply came reluctantly. but there must have been a sternness in mt race which compelled an answer
 q told yer-l.m the overseer.-
 -'A fine specimen. from the looks ot the place. What were you ordered to grow-weeds ?"
 --Fhet's none Q your business
 -It's the business of the lady up stairs. Coombs. and am representing her at present 1t will be just as well for you to be civil. Who appointed you to this position-the administra- torss'-
 q reckon not
 .'Ever hear of man named Neale- F. B. NeaIeg'
 .sRosf
 .-Oi19 ustus c. VaiI?''
 He shook his head
 --So one sent you any word. then. that we were coming or gave you any orders to look after us?"
 The blank expression of his face was suf5 cient answer. l waited moment, thinking. endeavoring to determine my