Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-02-10
.RL. DERR
BIOOERS
Copyright. 1918. by the Bobbs-hsrriil
Company
CHAPTER III.
The Crack Of q Pistol.


Mr. Magee paused. For sharply In
the silence the bell Of his room
telephone rang out.
He stood for moment gazing In
wonder, his heart beating swiftly MS
ewes upon the instrument on the wall.
1t was a house phone. He knew II
could only be rung from the switch
board in the hall below. I'm go
ing mad already" he remarked and
took down the receiver.
A blur Of talk, an electric mutter-
ing. a click, and all was still.
Mr.. Magee opened the door and
stepped out into the shadows. he
heard a voice below. Noiselessly ne
crept to the landing and gazed down
into the office. young man sat al
the telephone switchboard. Mr.. Ma
gee could see in the dim light or
solitary candle that he was person
OF rather hilarious raiment. The candle
stood on the top Of the safe, and the
door of the latter swung open. Sink
ing down on the steps in the dark,
Mr.. Magee waited.
Hello" the young man was say
ing; how do you work this thing
anyhow? I've tried every peg but
the right one. Hello, hello! 1 want
long distance-Reuton, 2S76 West
Mr.. Andy Rutten. Will you get him
for me, sister,"
Another wait-a long one-ensued.
The candle sputtered. The young
man fidgeted in his chair. AT last he
spoke again:
Hello! Andy? Is that you, Andy?
What's the good word? AS quiet as
the tomb of Napoleon? Shall close
I'D shop? Sure? What next? Oh,
see here, Andy, I'd die up here! Did
you ever hit place like this in win
ter? / can't-oh-I-oh, well, If he
says so! Yes; could do that. But
no longer. I couldn't stand 1t long
Tell him that. Tell him everything's
q. K. Yes. All right. Well. good
night. Andy"
He turned away from the switch
board. and as he did so. Mr.. Magee
walked calmly down the stairs to-
ward him. With a cry the young
man ran to the safe, threw package
inside and swung shut the door. He
turned the knob Of the safe several
times; then he faced Mr.. Magee. The
latter saw something glitter in his
hand.
Good evening" remarked Mr.. Ma
gee pleasantly.
What are you doing here?" cried
the youth wildly.
II live here" Mr.. Magee assured
him. Won't you come up to my
room-it's right at the head OF the
stairs. 1 have a fire, you know.
Back into the young mans lean,
hawklike face crept the assurance
that belonged with the gay attire he
wore. He dropped the revolver into
his pocket and smiled a sneering
smile.
You gave me a turn" he said. "Of
course you live here. Are any OF the
other guests about? And who won
The tennis match today?"
You are facetious," Mr.. Magee
smiled too. so much the better. A
lively companion is the very sort l
should have ordered tonight. Come
upstairs
"An right" he said. But I'll have
10 ask you to go first. You know the
way" His right hand sought the
pocket into which the revolver had
fallen.
You honor my poor and drafty
house." said Mr.. Magee. This way.
He mounted the stairs. After him
followed the youth of flashy habili-
ments. looking fearfully about him as
he went. He seemed surprised that
they came to Magee's room without
incident. Inside. Mr.. Magee drew UP
an easy chair before the fire and Of
fered his guest a cigar.
You must be cold" he said. "Si'
here. a bad night, stranger as they
remark in stories."
you've said it," replied the young
man, accepting the cigar. Thanks
He walked to the door leading into
the hall and opened it about foot
I'm afraid he explained jocosely
well get to talking and miss the
breakfast bell" He dropped into the
chair and lighted his cigar at {
candle end. Say, you never can tell
can you? Climbing up old Baldpas
thought to myself that hotel certain
Col
q coy corner And here you are, a.
snug and comfortable and at home a
if YOU were in a Harlem fiat. You
never can tell. And what now? Thu
story of my life?"
You might relate" Mr.. Magee told
him, that portion Of it that has LEI
YOU tresspassing on a gentleman seek
ing seclusion at Baldpate inn
''Tresspassing, eh?" said the younl
man. Far be it from me to quarre
with a man who smokes as goot
cigars as you do. but there's some
thing / haven't quite doped out. ina
is-who's tresspassing. me or you?"
MY right here" said Mr. Magee
'is indisputable."
It's big word" replied the other
but you can tack it to me right her
and tell no lie We can't dispute, s.
let's drop the matter. With that set
tied I'm encouraged to pour out tn
story of why you see me here tonight
far from the madding crowd. Hav
you stray tear? You'll need II. II
haberdashery and trusting hear
and a fair woman-fair, but, oh, hoy
false"
Proceed" laughed Mr.. Maget
I'm an admirer of the vivid imagi
nation. Don't curb yours. l beg O
you"
It's all straight" said the other il
q hurt tone. Every word true. NJ