The Southern herald., 1914-06-12


enemy's personality, and when two
months had passed and the house at
last stood ready for his occupancy, ne
had become universally known as ROD
ertson and was considered a person
Of much importance at the local bank,
where he had deposited the balance OF
the five thousand dollars that remain
ed to him from the proceeds OF an
earlier exploit against one of the
conspirators.
All this while Robertson made no
move. In fact, it was not until eight
weeks had elapsed that his agent,
making his periodical visit to Bender
vile, learned to his amazement that
Robertson had returned.
He hurried to the house, walked Into
the hall through the wide open door
and into the dining room where
Haynes was finishing hearty meal
The Englishman rose and came for
ward with outstretched hand. He
guessed instinctively who his visitor
was
Good evening, sir" he said What
can have the pleasure of doing for
you?"
The other looked at him and looked
again. The face seemed familiar, and
though he could not name the man his
heart sank under premonition Of dis
aster.
a want Mr. Robertson" he STAN
mered.
YES" said Haynes. "I am Mr..
Robertson. You may go, Paul." he
added to the man.servant. 'Now, sir
what can l do for you?"
"You are not Chauncey e. Robert
son." muttered theSother. who are
you?"
Haynes pulled out his card-case and
handed his visitor card on which
was engraved the name Of Chauncey
e. Robertson. Evidently this is a
case of mistaken identity" he said,
smiling
The other had been staring hard at
him all the while. He knew him at
last, though it was five years since
they had met, when he was a poorly
paid clerk in Robertson's law Office at
Nokomis.
You're John Haynes" he whisper
ed in terror, and his knees knocked to-
gether. He had read of the mans ex-
ploits, of his machine, his terrible
vengeance. He sank into chair
"You haven't any grudge against
me, sir?" he whined. II knew moth
ing about it at all. Can't we make
some arrangements?"
Il really fear you must be under
some strange misrepresentation, Mr.
Jenkins, isn't it?" said Haynes, the
name Of the cheap little clerk sudden
ly returning to him. why, Jenkins,
although l haven't seen you since you
were my law clerk in the Nokomis
days, hardly think this explains the
purpose of this unexpected visit. You
should have given me warning, Jen-
kins. Do you not remember that l
used to have fainting fits when l ar
gued cases before Judge Charteris"
The wretched agent sank in his
chair like a collapsed bladder, star
ing at Haynes with fishy eyes, listened
in terror to this sarcastic outburst.
"By the way, Jenkins" Haynes con-
tinued, Il am glad that you have come
here after all, for have been anxious
to discover the whereabout of a GER
tain John Haynes. You remember
him, doubtless? You will recall that
case of mine, a very important one,
in which this man Haynes laid claim
to certain lands, the property of the
Nokomis Land Company? We went
all over the papers together. you will
remember, and finally, as his lawyer, I
advised Mr.. Haynes that he had case
and that he should refuse to settle for
less than million dollars"
The agent rose up TREMENDOUSLY and
drew near, fawning and rubbing his
hands together
i can do anything for you, sir" he
whispered. II know where Mr.. Rob.
ertson's to be found. You want him,
don't you sir?"
Il have heard" continued HAYNES
impassively, that Mr.. Haynes has
opened real estate Office in Omaha.
Probably you have not heard of It vet
wait!" He rose, went to his desk
and, extracting the letter which he had
taken from the letter box two months
before, handed it to Jenkins. Read
that" he said sternly.
The agent was edging toward the
door He meant to run, as hard as he
could, and never stop until he reached
the depot, to take train there for Oma-
ha. He would have been Just as willing
to conspire with Haynes, but this was
unendurable, this mockery which
wrung his soul with horror. If It
should change to rage! He edged
closer-and then Haynes leaped in
front OF him, shouting with laughter.
Please wait moment longer, Mr..
Jenkins" he said. Come into the
library. Sit there!" He indicated the
chair at the desk, and Jenkins sank
into 1t. Now take that pen and write
to Mr.. Haynes as shall dictate. Are
you ready? Dear Mr.. Haynes: I
have received your letter. It is neces-
sary to come to Benderville by the
first train. I have an immediate offer
for the house at a figure which will
surprise you, but 1t must be taken