Putnam patriot., 1915-02-05
Soldier of Fortune

'-That, of course remains to be proved" I returned smilingly
 "oh. does it. now. So does this yer wife business. to my thinSin Waal, it won't take long ter settle the matter, believe me. Who ar. you enyhowgp
 My name is Craig-Gordon Craig
 A lawyer?"
 Not guilty
 "A detective?"
 same plea"
 l thought he gave a grunt of relief "All right. then. l reckon l got yer number. Craig. Yer after q little easy money. Somehow. yer caught on to the mixup down we're an framed up scheme to cop the coin Might have worked. too. if I hadn't been on the job an posted Nice lookin' girl yer picked up'-
 Drop that. Ceomhs" interrupted sharply. leaning forward and staring him in the eyes.
 Oh too nice heyr'
 "Yes. too nice for you to befoul 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
 Il mean it.. went on soberly. Don't think | ann afraid of you. No you keep your hands where they are. If it comes to draw you'l find me quick enough to block your game. Now listen,"
 l made no display of q weapon. He roud not be sure that was armed yet my right hand was hidden in the side pocket of my coat. The brute and the coward struggled for mastery In his face.
 Eve told you the truth about who we are and our purpose in coming here" l went on slowly and clearly. ''because l have decided to fight in the open Now l want to know who you are-what authority you have on the Henley plantation. Speak up"'
 The reply came reluctantly, but there must have been a sternness in my face which compelled an answer.
 "I told yer-I'm the overseer."
 "A due specimen from the looks of the place What were you ordered to grow weeds ?'
 eThets none . your business"
 .sIts the business of the lady up stairs, Coombs. and I am representing her al present 1t will be just as well for you to be civil Who appointed you to this positioil-.the admiuistra- tors =
 T reckon not
 'Eyer hear of man named Neale- r B. Neale?"
 No"
 "Or Justus c Yail?"
 He shook his head
 "No 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 sufficient answer. l waited moment, thinking endeavoring to determine my next move This knowledge made one thing clear-we were playing lone hand. As well planned as was the scheme of those two conspirators. they had reckoned without sufficient knowl- edge of the existing conditions here. But was this true? Would villains as shrewd as they be guilty of such neg lect? Besides, they had assured me that the overseer would be noti1ed or our coming Suddenly there flashed back to my memory picture of that murdered man in the rear room. Could he be the connecting link, the overseer sent by Neae? Only the harshest measure would compe4 Coombs to ae- I d in breath. every nerve braced for action Then l jerked the pistol from my pock- et and held it. gimmefing ominously in the light. across my knee.
 You probably have some reason for lying to me" I said eoldly and now am going to give you an equally good reason for telling the truth. What dc you know about the administrators of this estate? There is one named Neale. isn't there:"
 Fl reckon SO" How do you knowf'
 'Waal.' feeling it useless to struggle against the argument presented by the blue steel barrel, "al know is fellow com long yere awhile back with n paper signed Neale. thinkin' ter take my job.
 What happened to him.
 "Ob. he just nat'ally got kicked out inteS the road an l reckon he's run 8 hing yet. He was a miserable Yankee { runt. an didn't hurt the cuss none to speak of What yer askin' all this fer M enyhow.' he questioned anxiously, "an -draw win that gun on me?'
 'It seemed to be the only available 8 method for extracting information Pardon my insistance. Coombs, but wasn't that dead man up there the fel- low Neale sentF
 Not hy jugfnl and l could see fthe precipitation break out on his fore zhead Why. there want none enyhow. fThat guy skipped out north ag'in. # Under whose orders are you in ,t harge hereT
 # He was so long in answering. his 4yes giaring ugly under heavy brows- ssfhat elevated my weapon. half beliey ang he meditated an attack M CHAPTER VIII.