Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1917-06-29

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utes' talkT'. continued the man cOolly.
"Not unless you have something very
important"
"What ] have is more important to
you than to me-"
De Spain took an instant to decide
"All right" he said impatiently; come
along. Only" he paused to let the
word sink in, "-if this is game you're
spripging-"
'I'm Springing no game" returned
the man evenly.
Come along, then. I'll tell you just
how to get here. Do you hear?"
I'm listening"
'Leave Main street at Rancherio
street. Follow Rancherio north four
blocks, turn west into Grant avenue.
Mr.. Jeffries' house is on the corner.
"I'll find it,"
do, you won't see me-"
"Pm not afraid of you, Mr.. de Spain,
and I'll come as you say. There's only
one thing / should like to ask. 1t would
be as much as my life is worth to be
seen talking to you. And there are
like to have it known had talked to
you. Would you mind putting out the
lights before / come up-I mean, in the
front of the house and in the room
where we talk?"
mot in the least. meant am al
wi m FOL che oipS
any other mans. But / warn you,
come prepared to take care of your
self"
"If you will do as ask, no harm
will come to anyone"
| De Spain heard the receiver hung
up at the other end of the wire. He
signaled the operator hastily and got
ho:d of Bob Scott. To him he explained
rapidly what had occurred, and what
he wanted. Get up to Grant and Ran
cheriO, Bob, as quick as the Lord will
let you. Come by the back streets.
There's q high mulberry hedge at the
southwest corner you can get behind.
This chap may have been talking for
somebody else. Anyway look the man
over when he passes under the arc
light. If it is Sassoon or Gale Morgan,
come into Jeffries' house by the rear
door. Wait in the kitchen for my call
from the living room, or shot. I'll
arrange for your getting in"
Leaving the telephone, De Spain re-
joined Nan in the living room. He told
hri of hn WIG
explained, laughingly, that his caller
had asked to have the lights out and to
see him alone. He made so little of
the incident that Nan walked up the
stairs on De SPANS arm treasured.
When he kissed her at her room dsor
and turned down the stairs again, she
leaned in the half-light over the banis-
ter, waving one hand at him and muir
muring the last caution: "Be careful,
Henry, won't you"
"Dearie, I'm always careful"
"'Cause you're all I've got now" she
whispered.
you're all I've got, Nan, girl"
II haven't got any hOme-or any
thing-just you. Don't go to the door
yourself. Leave the front door open
Stand behind the end of the piano till
you are awfully sure who it isl
what a head, Nan"
De Spain cut off the lights, threw
open the front door, and in the dark.
ness sat down on the piano stool. A
heavy step ON the porch, little while
1nto Nv h.
open door.
"Come in" called De Spain roughly
The bulk of a large man filed and OBJ.
scured for an instant the opening
then the visitor stepped carefully over
the threshold. "What do you wantY
asked De Spain without changing his
tone. He awaited with keenness the
> sound of the answer.
us Henry de Spain hereT"
The voice was not familiar to De
SPANS ear. He told himself the man
was unknown to him. 81 am Henry
: de SPAIN" he returned without hesita
ton. what do you want?"
The visitors deliberation was reflect
1 ed in his measured speaking. II an
: from Thief River" he began, and his
l reverberating voice was low and Gis
tinct. II was sent in to Morgans gaI
some time ago to find out who burned
y the CalabasaS barn"
" "And you report to-"
Kennedy"
De Spain paused. A fresh convic
ton had flashed across his mind. "Yol
called me up on the telephone one nigh
last week." he said suddenly.
The answer came without evasion
II did"
. "You gave me message from Nal
u Morgan that she never gave you"
Il did. I thought she needed 70,
s. right off. She didn't know me as
rightly am. knew what was going on
y | rode into town that evening and rod
y out again. 1t was not my business, ant
| couldn't let it interfere with the bust
e ness I'm paid to look after. That's TIN
t reason l lodged you"
IS "There Is chair at the left of tn
do ..A