Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1921-09-01
CHAPTER II.

For a moment after Hubert had
opened the door he .peered out into
the fog. not recognizing the features
of the man who stood on the door
step: then the voice located him.
Sorry to disturb you, old man,
but it's urgent, L think I've dropped
a small envelope somewhere. I had
1t In my cigarette case. Do you mind
having a look? 1 think it must have
slipped out when I took my last ci.
EaTette-
The young solicitor drew back in
willingly.
Il haven't noticed It," he said: but
then, I haven't looked. You know
where you were sitting: Gomez in.
fou1l want another drink, too, after
this fog. Sorry 1 can't put you up
my mans away and I'm all packed
up. you know"
Together the two men entered the
cheerful room, and Vivian crossed
at once to the place where he had
been sitting, and falling onshis hands
and knees made as though to search
beneath<the table, Unobserved by his
host, he deity placed a small, folded
piece of paper under the chair which
to his feet.
Don't see it anywhere, Mr.. Bax-
enter; perhaps II
The ruse succeeded beyond the
mans widest hopes. AS Hubert
turned from mixing his visitor a whis-
key-and-soda his eye Lit upon,the pa
per which Vivian had placed beneath
the chair. quitting the; .tumbler on
the. table he bent down.
Quick az thought. Vivian was upon
him. a chloroform-pad, part of the
mans stock-in-trade, which he had
whipped from q little tin case in hi
pocket, held tightly over the soid.
tors mouth and nose.
HuDert Baxenter was no weaklins
IN spite Of his slight stature and, hal
the fight been a fair he wouk
nave given a good account Of himself
Taken unawares a he was, his acaa,
was hopeless, and in a few momentl
drug had done its work and tn,
solicitor was lying, an inert figure
Upon the white bearBkin rug befor'
the fire.
Vivian rose unsteadAy TO his fee
ana reached ont for the decante,
scoundrei a. he n he hesita4et
70 touch. the glass which his victim
a PREPARED for him. He had n,
anfmosaty against the man lying Their,
on the rug--fD fact, he regretted tina
force had been necessary.
But time was short; the, none,
ne had r1sxed 70 much for mus 5
iound and escape nasde from th,
h0nee before daybfeak. with fever
: Sh hands Vivian TUNED out the shu
rear and the drawers OF q pedesta
desk which st00d In a recess by th,
fireplace His eye passed many time
over the envelope addressed. to II
1 hospftals q safer hidfng-p;ace IT woui,
/ nave been difficult to find.
An hour paaed and the searchei
who had extended his attentions {
me bedroom. came back throuRI
the folding-docfs. His face plaini
denoted his non-success. Then =,
eyes fell upon the figure upon III
rug, and. the Norfolk Jacket With II
dig pockets prompting him. he IA
upon his knees and slid q hand OU
cautiously toward-
With ery@of horror he leaned {
his g and ttotterAd blindly Is 3
cn~intz-covered Oh lsterfie.d. The lea
stood out in little beads Of moistnr
9 ms forehead and the ray eye
Dead I. He Sbreathed the va
hoarSely to himself, and called veal
" upon his Maker. Il
HoWflopg he sat there he could Nj
havestOld; he must have fallen inf,,
Trance Of sorts, Tor, when he cam
TO; himself II was to secgthA first era
of the dawn edEtng Its wa bctwac
the stats OF the Venetian blinds. an
In its Light aScandle which had out
lasted dts fellows burnt with cream
colored flame. The faceaonsthe wktt
rug stared up cray ana still.
From the clock on the mantelpiec
81 single chime cut into the adienc
OF the room and the man on fh
q couch junped@up with Il stffled natl