The Mellette County pioneer. [volume] (Wood, Mellette County, S.D.) 19??-1971, 1920-10-22

light nau It. only shown that 1 was
awake but that he had the wrong
man, and he had climbed down and
run into the woods. one mystery was
how he had escaped the dogs.
That was explained the next day
they had not been loose the night
before; had not beln released from
their kennels. They were found rest.
less from an unexpected night OF con.
fnement. They had not been out be.
cause he Stableman who had charge
Of them had spent the afternoon and
night in the village Of Hartley, drunk.
1t was an extraordinary and not an
ordinary proceeding for this stable
man, who had been Il dependable char
acter. 1t did not require much sus-
picion to conjecture that he had been
tempered with In deliberate purpose to
free the grounds OF the dogs for the
use the Spanish sailor made when
he climbed up 10 my room.
The stab!cInan. proved delinquent,
was so apparently contrite and inno-
cent that il would have been an injus-
tice to punish or discharge him. He
had gone 10 the village in the early
afternoon on an assigned mission for
the house. lie had used the oppor-
tunity TO drink a few glasses Of beer,
for which proceeding no one would
blame him in Hartley house. 1t seems
that he drank two or three glasses
more than lo intended TO ana even
bcer being in a fashion Intoxicating,
got into Il condition which made him
amiable To Tie approach Of Il stranger
who succeeded in Interesting him in
The immediate prospects Of life, which
Chen to him we're chiefly alcoholic.
He and Tie stranger had much talk
and many drinks. The stablcman lost
all sense Of responsibility, which was
not strange, and proceeded from beer
TO strong liquor, forgetting all his
duties to the house. in consequence
he did not get home that night, ana
thc dogs were not loose.
Naturally one drew n direct line
from this performance to The appear
ance Of Tie Spaniard at my window,
and there WAS natural wonder as to
what kind of confederate the Span
lard could have 50 effectually TO pre-
pare the way for him.
The Spau.ard had a confederate
who wa iu4cnious and rcSourcoful /;
that was evident. lie had made Il
deliberate play to get the dogs out
Of the way the nilht the sailor made
his attcnrt 20 get into Jcd's room,
ANA had succeeded in almost getting
into mine.
TWO DAYS a.lcr the strange appear
ances OF tho Spaniayd, | WAS asked for
and was told that a gentleman desired
TO see NE. | went to the oHice IL the
house and SaW "A man who instantly
suggested tlc ono who had entertained
The stahlcuan 50 successfully.
He wa4 SO easily described that it
was a crime for even Il drunken sta.
bloman "a Lave missed hi, distinguish.
ing characteristics. but at that. The
stabloman had made Identification pos.
Sihle. The moment | saw the fellow
| thought we were nearer the >o'n-
ton Of the mystery OF Hartley hoIsc.
lie was Il significantly insignificant
looking man that was his identityin.
mark. lie seemed timid and insecure
Of himself. apologize for his intrusion
upon me ana Withal determined 10 do
whatever it vas that was in his pro.
gram. | wondered how 50 S!riuEing
an individual had played Il iovial part
in n village tavern With yohcls at
drink. His card indicated him "a he
4 lawyer and gave his name rs phil-
ctuS NJ. Brown. lie came directly 10
his subiect-for which | thanked lima
as soon as he had made n brict pre-
lininary of commonpIaccs Of introduc-
tion and greeting.
II have asked for You, Doctor, be-
cause | know Of no one else here s. no
VIII serve. ! do not wish TO approach
Mr.. Sidney directly and cannot trust
the factotum You know rs Jed !
would not impose upon Mrs. Sidney
or her daughter except in extremity.
You are here. a rational human being
aud interested. am informed. in the
fortunes OF this family. Therefore |
have como 10 yOu."
For what puIposcE" | asked.
He smiled as if TO apologize Cor
having any PURPOSE, and pulled ~ the
cuffs Of his coat.
IN bc frank" he SAID. 81 Eart1y
know The purpose Clearly myself. My
client is a sailor. My practice lies
considerably along the water front in
the city. 1t l,as not made ne rich.
| have lost Il good deal Of egotiSm ana
have become prngmatic. | have to
get along and to deal with facts.
There are people dependent upon me.
and | have not been much to dcrcnc
upon
The condition Of your finances or
YOUR morals cannot be of interest 10
me-" said. "What have YOU thar is
of intereSt?"
He smiled as If he VAS used fire..
quently 10 rebuff.
"What | have. | assure you, humili-
ates me to present, because ! realize
that if | succeed for my client. ! shall
be IN Ire way of Matchmaking Mr.. sid
noy. My consolation IS that | am only
an agent and | am sure that | shall
be a more considerable and honest one