The Elk Mountain pilot., 1922-06-01

.
lie. had recognized Spearman beyond
question. And Spearman had recog-
nized him-he was sure of that; lie
could not for an instant doubt il !;
Spearnan had known 1t 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 cordiality except defiance?
Power and possession-both far ex-
ceeding 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 at first that Corvel's
house could be his-until he had heard
the intruder moving in that house
And now ii 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,
Spearman had cried out in horror he
had screamed at 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; 1t had been because Spearman
had mistaken him for some one else
for a ghost. But. after learning that
Alan was not a 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 1t went. He took up the re-
ceiver and asked for Spearman.
A@voice answered-"Yes."
Alan said, evenly: II think you and
I had better have talk before we
meet with Mr.. Sheriff. this afternoon.
I am here in Mr.. Corvet's office now
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 nushes of hot
and cold passing over him. Ten min
utes passed; then twenty. The tele-
phone under Corvet's desk buzzed.
"Mr. Spearman says he will give
you Eve minutes now" the switchboard
girl said.
Alan breathed 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 1t 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
ihtently. 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 that
story with meT'
"What are you talking about?"
Spearman demanded.
"Of course. l know exactly where
you were a part Of last evening; and
you know that / know. l 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 me"
81 haven't told Mr.. Sheriff. that
found you at Corvet's house last night;
but l don't want you to doubt for
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 to Spearman's
face; Alan, in his excitement, was sure
of 1t; but there was just that fash. no
more. He turned, while Spearman sat
chewing his cigar and staring at him,
and went out and partly closed the
door Then. suddenly. he reopened 1t,
looked in. reclosed 1t sharply, and
went on his way. shaking little. For.
It's he looked back this second time at
the dominant. determined, able man
seated at his desk, what he had seen
In s;peuinlnn's face was fear; fear OF
himself of Alan Conrad of Blue Rap
ids--vet II was not fear OF that sort
Which wcakons or dismays; 1t was or
that so.t which. merely warning OF
Gan;-er close nj hand, determines one
10 use every means within his power
to save himself.
Alan. still trembling excitediy,
crossed to Corvet's Office to await
| :. vl'sih. II was not, he felt sure now.
Alnn Conrad that Spearman was op-