The Elk Mountain pilot., 1917-10-04


shouted. "What do you want to con-
fess for? Aren't you in this game as
deep as 1 am?"
He grasped the barrel with both
hands, but little Louie seemed pos
sessed by a demon. The fear of losing
his hoard gave him preternatural
strength.
. Get out or I'll shoot !" he screamed,
wrestling the gun from Sebastian.
'Tll have that fake confession Of
yours first" Sebastian shouted.
He darted to the table. The pad
was there, and the pencil, but the con-
fession was gone. Sebastian, forgetful
of his danger in the terror that came
over him, went down on hands and
knees and began hunting upon the
floor.
"Get out !" screamed Louie, hammer
ing him with the butt of his weapon.
"Give up that confession! screamed
Sebastian, attempting to close with
him again.
For answer Louie stepped back and
aimed the gun ut the intruder's head.
Sebastian lodged, sought the shack
door, opened it, and ran outside.
Louie was mad. That was the only
possible explanation.
BY the time Sebastian had reached
the hotel he was outwardly calm again.
Passing beneath the window of the
room in which Leontine sat, he saw
that Ravengar was still there. The
two We're seated together in front of u
table, on which lamp was burning.
Upon the table was an envelope.
AS he halted uncertainty beneath
the window, he saw Leontine look at
the table. Her glance fell upon the
envelope. Half in wonder. she turned
it over. Nothing was written on it,
and the flap was unsealed.
She offered it to Ravengar, who
shook his head. 1t was not his.
II wonder whether it is meant for
me-" Sebastian heard Leontine say.
She drew folded sheet of paper
from within. Sebastian, creeping close
beneath the window. could see that
it was a closely written page.
Leontine slightly raised the shade of
the lamp to read it. The light fell full
on the page.
II wish to confess my part in the
conspiracy which ruined Jerry Car
son." Sebastian read.
For the moment his knees shook un-
der him. So the plan had advanced
thus far already! A copy had already
been made and left with Leontine!
He clung to the window sill and
trembled like man in an ague. Ev-
erything seemed lost. Then came the
reaction of fury. He ran into the hotel,
dashed open the door of the room, and
entered.
"Give me that paper - he shouted to
Leontine.
Leontine, startled by his sudden ap-
pearance. hesitnted. Then she put the
hand which held the paper behind her.
''It is not yours, Sebastian" she an
swered.
Sebastian sprang Mt her and caught
Mt her arm, but LeOntine was too quick
for him. She held the paper out to
Ravengar.
Keep this for me-" she said.
Ravengar took the paper, and Sebas-
tian, gnawing his lip. looked from one
to the other alternately.
"Give me that paper" he demanded
of Ravengar.
II received it from Mrs. Navarro. 1
shall return 1t to her when she re-
quests 1t from me-" said Ravengar
calmly.
He moved toward the door, bowed
to Leontine, and went along the pas
sage in the direction of his room. Sc
bastinn flung himself out of the room
and strobe along the passage.
A party of men in shirt sleeves were
gambling in one of the rooms. They
were drinking, and their voices rose
angrily as they quarreled and slammed
down the cards. Sebastian strobe past
them. In the next room he saw Raven
gar, standing. the paper in his hand.
He entered without knocking.
"Give me that paper, damn you'll" he
shouted.
Ravengar only looked at him fixedly.
Sebastian hesitated. He could not de-
eide what to do.
"You see, Mr.. Ravengar, that is an
important business paper" he contin-
ued. in quieter voice. "It is the con-
fession of former partner of mine
who cheated me out of some property.
/ have promised not to prosecute him
provided he returns the money. 1t is
worth ten thousand dollars to me, and
since it has come into your hands am
willing to pay you that much for it"
"You must apply to Mrs. Navarro"
answered Ravengar.
Sebastian hesitated an instant.