Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1917-11-06

Ia q rapid and excited manner. He
determined to follow him. Toll pro-
ceeded to section Of the town given
over to the slums. He entered sec
ond-rate lodging house. made some i'm
quirIes and assembled to room ON its
upper floor. Knowing the shady char
acter Of the place, Lees suspicious and
interest were fully aroused.
Ten minutes later Lee stood outside
4 door of room beyond which he
knew Toll was an inmate. He peered
over the transom from convenient
stairway, he edged close to the loose,
rickety door to catch the conversa-
ton going on between Toll and .
rough-looking man, seated at table
and menacingly confronting his visitor.
Eyes, it's me-" he spoke, "and sent
for you. I've been locked up for four
years and just got out. want stake
to start In at my old business and
you're going to furnish 1t. Cos why |!
Because the first thing did was to-
find out IL the records Of our old busi-
ness dealings were where / left them
when I went to the penitentiary. They
were, they're explicit enough to send
you over the road. I've got them with
me and / want one thousand dollars
cash for them, now, here and quick"
LET me look at the papers," spoke
Toll quaveringly.
He ran over the packet of incrfminat-
ing documents, replaced it. his hand
trembling, upon the table, and drew out
q wallet. Then he counted out several
bills and handed them to his compan-
ion, took up the papers, thrust them In
his pocket of his outside coat and
arose to his feet.
you've got me, Parton" he re-
marked grimly, shut don't you ever
cross my path again."
mo danger, I'm scarce for place
where I'm too well known" observed
the criminal briefly.
Toll left the room and started down
the stairs, and the man who had
blackmailed him prepared to leave
also. Lee went slowly down the stairs,
feeling his way, for the light in the
corridor was dim.
Lee had skunk to side passage, but
as Toll got halfway down the stairs
he FASTENED after him.
"Why don't you take the whole stair
way !' he growled, crowding past Toll
and pushing him roughly, nearly top
pling him over. AS he did this Lee deft-
ly thrust his hand into the coat side
pocket. His fingers closed over the
packet. He transferred it to his own
pocket. He was out in the street be-
fore Toll had stumbled his way out of
the old rookery. Then 1t was that Toll
discovered the loss Of his papers. Lee
did not know, nor care, but the next
morning the ex-detective entered the.
Office of the old money grabber.
Very clearly he told who he was
and his knowledge of the infamous
persecution of Darcy and of Tolls own
connivance with criminals.
"A certain check and confession
and you can have the documents"
coolly announced Lee. 'Otherwise /
shall do what you once threatened
against Mr.. Moore-go to the district
attorney"
When Lee visited the Boyd home he
was told that Miss Elva was absent.
Miss Beulah, her sister, was in the
house. Would she do? Oh, beyond
Doubt In fact, since taking up the
case Lee had met the charming lady
several times and was happy for the
privilege.
There was admiration, approval,
keen appreciation in the expression of
the face of Beulah as Lee announced
that he had drawn the talons Of the
man who was set on destroying the
happiness of Darcy Moore.
Very soon Mr.. Gerald Toll under
stood the situation and discontinued
his unwelcome visits to the Boyd domi-
Gle. There was double wedding, for
Lee could not forget Beulah, told her
so, and found her in the same delight
full frame of mind.