The daily Alaskan., 1915-08-13

and battered tin coffeepot stood oh an oil stove. There were heavy blan- kets hung before the three windows, and besides one or two rocking chairs there was a pile of books from the H. brary downstairs and q mans black ened pipe on the deal table.
 Like lightning the doctors keen eye searched the room and then went back to the space in front of the cot. 4 mans body lay there inert
 Hold this torch" commanded the doctor, and, bending down, he lifted the mans emaciated form to the cot. The ragged coat fell back, revealing d glimpse of a broadly striped garment underneath
 It did not need this betraying glimpse of the convict stripes for the physician to recognize in the man William Ged- neyl
 The room revealed that it had long been the habitation of some recluse. Who was 1t? Hardly Gedney, for he was still in prison.
 The doctor made brief examination and found that the man had been stab bed in the right shoulder. An ugly wound, but not necessarily dangerous,
 Josiah, relieved at this practical lay ing of the Gedney ghost, waited upon his master with unusual intelligence. He heated water on the oil stove, found a lamp and lighted 1t and held 1t, together with the torch, while the doctor skillfuny washed and dressed the wound, When 1t was bound and pillow placed under the injured mans back the doctor administered strong stimulant and presently Will liam Gedney opened his wild, dark eyes and searched the physicIan's countenance.
 "Edmonds" he gasped. You? How did you come here"
 "A telephone message" said the doc tor quickly. And you, William, you have escapedT
 Gedney nodded wearIly. "Sit down, and I will tell you all," he said.
 Ills story was brief and to the point He declared that he had been innocent of the crime charged against him. Al though there had been Q fight and shot had been fired, he swore thnt he had not held the weapon. His com panions had scattered, leaving him with the body of Tom COlinS-tO be the scapegoat
 Circumstantlal evidence was against him, and to save his client GCdncy's lawyer had pleaded self defense; hence the life sentence.
 "I've always intended to escape ' muttered Gedney, "and at last came the opportunity. I grasped 1t. My first thought was to come home here. arrived this evening at dusk. The place was home to me, although there remained none of my dear ones to welcome me, the black sheep of the family. Doctor, l may have been wild and foolish, but my hands are innocent of blood.
 q came afoot-I had travelled by night-and at last I reached here, gain ed an entrance through the pantry win dow and went up to my mothers room. IT was going to pray there and ask their forgiveness-you understand,' he ended brokenly.
 "I had reached the upper hall when [ met A man; 1t was Tom Collins brotherl He was carrying a candle, and he looked old and ragged and un- kempt, When he saw me he gave chase, screaming madly that he would Kill me. 1 was unarmed, and l was weak from lack of food. He pursued me up the attic stairs to this room, and there he stabbed me, leaving me for dead on the floor. It was a welcome sound indeed to hear your ring at the doorl I suppose 1 must go back to prison. but I think I have solved the mystery. Jim Collins killed his broth er. That is why he has hidden away here, 6 prey to his own guilty con science. He must have lived a hermit life for several years. 4 fellow pris- oner told me that Jim had disappear ed from his usual haunts. l hope-l pray that he has left a confession of some kind that will clear my name!'
 Leaving Josiah in care of the sick man, Dr. Edmonds went back to his horse and drove rapidly in the direc- ton of the railroad station He sus- pected that the fleeing Collins had in a moment of contriton telephoned from some pay station to the doctors house so that Gedney's wound might be at tended to.
 pr. Bdmonds found strange situa- ton at the little railroad station
 A strange man had found shelter there during the thunderstorm. He was a ragged looking tramp. He had entered the wire cage where the pub lic telephone was placed and had used the telephone. As he finished speak ing there came q cracking hiss, and bolt of lightning ruined the instru. ment and sent the man senselcss to the floor.
 The station agent had vainly tried to reach Dr. EdmOnds, and hls appear ance now was taken as a matter of fact
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