Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1917-05-08

to ask. 1t would be as much as my
life is worth to be seen talking to
you. And there are other good rea-
sons why / shouldn't like to have it
known l had talked to You. Would
you mind putting out the lights be-
fore | come up-I mean, in the front
of the house and in the room where
we talk"
Not in the least. l mean-I am
always willing to take chance
against any other mans. But / warn
you, come prepared to take care of
yourself"
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 eX-
planned rapidly what had occurred,
and what he wanted. Get up to
Grant and Rancherio, Bob, as quick
as the Lord will let you. Come by
the back streets. There's high null
berry 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. III arrange
for your getting in"
Leaving the telephone. De Spain
rejoined in 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 reassured. When he
kissed her at her room door and
turned down the stairs again, she
leaned in the half light over the
bannister waving one hand at him
and murmured 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"
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 it is.
what a head, Man,
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
knock on the open door.
Come in" called De Spain rough
ly. The bulk of a large man filled
and obscured for an instant the
opening, then the visitor stepped
carefully over the threshold. What
do you want?" asked De Spain with
out changing his tone. lie waited
with keenness the sound of the an
swer.
rs Henry De Spain here?"
The voice was not familiar to De
Spain's ear. He told himself the man
was unknown to him. III am Henry
De Spain" he returned without hesi-
tation. What do you want?"
The visitors deliberation was re-
flected in his measured speaking. 81
am from Thief River" he began, and
his reverberating voice was low and
distinct. 81 was sent in to Morgan's
Gap some time ago to find out who
burned the Calabasas barn."
And you report to-"
Kennedy"
De Spain paused. A fresh convic-
ton had flashed across his mind.
You called me up on the telephone
one night last week." he said sud-
denly.
The answer came without evasion,
II did"
You gave me message from
Nan Morgan that she never gave
you?"
II did. I thought she needed you
right off. She didn't know me as /
rightly am. | knew what was going
on. l rode into town that evening
and rode out again. 1t was not my
business. and l couldn't let it inter-
fere with the business I'm paid to
look after. That's the reason
lodged YOU"
There is chair at the left of the