The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1922-03-13

Dig uduu ~ Ills tuEOdl~Ae "Oulu 81
most have been ready to believe that
this was not the man whom he had
fought. But he could not doubt that;
he had recognized Spearman beyond
question. - And Spearman had recog-
nized him-he was sure of that; he
could not for an instant doubt it;
Spearman had known it was Alan
whom he had fought in Corvet's house
even before Sheriff. had brought them
together. Was there not further proof
Of that in Spearman's subsequent man.
ner toward him? For what was all
! this cordially except defiance?
Power and possession-both far ex-
ceedins Alan's most extravagant
dream-were promised him by those
papers which Sheriff. had shown him.
When he had read down the list of
those properties, he had had no more
feeling that such things could be his
than he had had ut first that COrvet's
house could be his-until he had heard
the intruder moving in that house.
| And now it was the sense that another
was going to make him fight for those
properties that was bringing to him
the realization of his new power. He
had" something OH that man-On
Spearman. He did not know what that
thing was; no stretch of his thought,
! nothing that he knew about himself
or others. could tell him; but, at sight
of him, in the dark Of Corvet's house,
Spearlnan had cried out in horror, he
had screamed ut him the name Of
sunken ship, and in terror had hurled
his electric torch. 1t was true, Spear
mans terror had not been at Alan Con-
rad; it had been because Spearman
had mistaken him for some one else
for a ghost. But. after learning that
Alan was not ghost, Spearman's at
titude had not very greatly changed;
he had fought, he had been willing to
kill rather than to be caught there.
! Alan thought an instant; he would
make sure he still "had" that some
thing on Spearman and would learn
how far it went. He took up the re-
ceiver and asked for Spearman.
! "A FOlCc IIlSWclcu- LES.
Alan said. evenly: II think you and
had better have n talk before we
meet with Mr.. Sheriff. this afternoon.
l am here in Mr.. Corvet's office now
and will be here for half an hour.
then I'm going out"
! Spearman made no reply, but hung
up the receiver. Alan sat waiting, his
watch upon the desk before him
tense, expectant, with fushes of hot
and cold passing over him. Ten min
utes passed; then twenty. The tele-
phone under Corvet's desk buzzed.
MIR. Spearman says he will give
you five minutes now" the switchboard
girl said.
Alan brcathed deep with relief:
Spearman had wanted to refuse to see
him-but he had not refused; he had
/ sent for him within the time Alan had
appointed and after waiting until just
before it expired.
=: Alan put his watch back into his
, pocket and, crossing to the other office.
found Spearman alone. There was no
pretense of courtesy now in Spear
mans manner; he sat mOtiOnleSS at
his desk, his bold eyes fixed on Alan
intently. Alan closed the door behind
him and ADVANCED toward the desk.
II thought We'd better have some
explanation" he said, "about our
meeting last night"
"Our meeting?"' Spearman repeated;
his eyes had narrowed watchfully.
"You told Mr.. Sheriff. that you were
in Duluth and that you arrived home
! In Chicago only this morning. OF
course you don't mean to stick to TINT
story with me?'
"What are you talking about?"
| Spearman demanded.
| "Of course, l know exactly where
| you were a part of last evening; and
! you know that l know. I only want to
know what explanation you have to
| Offer"
Spearman leaned forward. "Talk
sense and talk 1t quick, If you have
anything to say to mel"
II haven't told Mr.. Sheriff. that 1
found YOU at Corvets house last night !;
but l don't want you to doubt for a
minute that l know you--and about
your d-g Of Benjamin Corvet and
your cry about saving the. Miwaka!"':: = - :
A flash Of blood came &c, Spearmans
face; Alan, In his excitement, was sure
of it; but there was just that flash, no
more. He turned, while Spearn,an sat
chewing his cigar and staring at him,
and went out and partly closed the
door. Then, suddenly. he reopened it.
looked in. reclosed it sharply, and
went on his way, shaking little. For,
as he looked back this second time at
the dominant. determined. able man
seated ut his desk. what he had seen
in Spearman's face was fear; fear OF
himself, of Alan Conrad Of Blue Rap
ids-yet it was not fear Of that sort
! which weakenS or dismays; 1t was OF
that sort which. merely warning OF
danger close at hand. determines one
to use every means within his power
to save himself.
Alan, still trembling excitedly.
crossed to ,Covets office to await
Sheriff.. It was not. he felt sure now,
Alan Conrad that Spearman was 0p-