The Knoxville independent. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1894-current, 1917-05-12

where ssu are ttrieht for few mia
utes' .Slk7" continued the man cooliy.
II "Not unless you have something very
important"
Il "What ! have Is more important e
you than to me-"
n DE Spain took an instant to decide
"All right" he said impatiently; .comt
along. Only" he paused to let thu
word sink in, Elf this is game you're
. springing
1 "Pm Springing no game,s returned
the man evenly.
"Come along, then. I'll tell you just
| how to get here. Do you hear?"
i I'm listening"
Il leave Main street at Rancherio
street. Follow Rancherio north four
blocks, turn west into Grant avenue,
Mr.. Jeffries' house is on the corner.
i "Tll find it." s.
i 3Don't come any other way. II yea
!. do, you won't see me-"
I'm not afraid Of you, MIR. de Spain,
and Til come as you say. There's only
one thing should like to ask. It would
be as much as my life is worth to be
seen talking to you. And there are
other good reasons why l shouldn't
like to have It known had talked to
you. Would you mind putting out the
lights before come u lei mean, In the
front Of the house t.nd in the room
where we talkf'
"Not in the least. mean--I am Al
ways willing to take a chance against
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
hold 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.
Their s high mulberry hedge at the
southwest corner you ran get behind.
This chap may have been talking for
somebody else. Anyway, look the man
over when he passes under the arc
light. II 1t Is Sassoon or Gale Morgan,
come into Jeffrles' house by the rear
door. Wait in the kitchen for my call |
from the living room, or a shot. I'll |
arrange for your getting In"
Leaving the telephone, De Spain re-
Joined Nan In the living room. He told |
her briefly Of the expected visit and |
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 Spain's arm treasured.
When he kissed her ut her room door
and turned down the stairs again, she
leaned in the half-light over the banis-
ter, waving one hand ut him and MUIR
muring the last caution: "Be careful,
Henry, won't your
"Dearie, I'm always careful"
cause you're all I've got now" she
whispered.
,l ! = ~ s5s: Ma, gf..
Il 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 1t u.s."
What head, Mani"
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 |
later. was followed by knock ON the
open door.
Come mr. called De Spain roughly.
The bulk of a large man filled and OBJ. |
scured for an instant the opening.
then the visitor stepped carefully over |
the threshold. "What do you wantf"
asked De Spain without changing his |
tone. He awaited with keenness the |
sound Of the answer.
rs Henry de Spain hereY'
5 Ine voice was not familiar to De |
SPANS ear. He told himself the man |
was unknown to him. II am Henry |
&c Spain" he returned without hesita. |
tlon. What do you want2"
The visitors delberation was reflect.
ca In MS measured speaking. II am |
from Thief River" he began. and his |
reverberating voice was low and dis.
unct 4 was sent in to Morgan's gap
some time ago to find out who burned
the Caiabasas barn"
aAnd you report top
Kennedy"
De Spain paused A fresh copv;c.
ton had flashed across his mind. "You
called me up on the telephone one night
last week. he said suddenly.
The answer came without evasion
II did" ~
lou gave me a message from MN
Morgan that she never gave you"
4 did. thought she needed vo,
right off. She didn't know me 40
rightly am. l knew what was going mn
rode into town that evening and rode
0ut again. 1t was not my business and
couldn't let 1t interfere with the hpsi-
ness I'm paid to look after. That's tbe
reason | lodged you"
There Is chair at the left of Tho
door; sit down. What's your namasn
IN 1