The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1923-02-18

woman to connect her with the crime. Sh
has always been devoted to the Seldon2
father and son. But, granting for sake O
argument that she did have designs upon he
employers life, it seems strange that sh'
withheld her hand for so many years. Thi
affair and your sentimental interest in on'
of those involved has made you morbid!
biased. You naturally suspect everybod.
save the woman you love. l advise you tx
slow up"
"On the contrary, shall probe the mys
terry to its uttermost depthsp' retorted the
lawyer.
"That, of course, is your own affair,
said the doctor coldly. But have care
that you do not find yourself entangled il
evils the existence of which you may little
suspect" His words were almost threat
AS he spoke he turned and abruptly left the
room.
DR.. Craig's vehement defense of Mis-
Wrightson left the lawyer in a maze Of
perplexity. He stood for some tim,
bordering over the physicians puzzlin{
words
AS Colonel cambridge had not fulfilled
his promise to join Bristow, the young at
torney determined to proceed to their office
and there lay the whole mystifying occur
rences of the day before his partner.
As he opened the door a man who hac
been standing on the veranda turned and
fled toward the street. Ere he recovered
from his surprise the speeding individual
had gained the sidewalk and turned at right
angles with his former course. Then, with
command to halt, the attorney dashed in
pursuit. He did not follow the walk, but
cut diagonally across the grounds, hoping
by this stratagem to intercept the fugitive al
a nearby corner. The speed of the stranger
and slight miscalculation ON Brstow's par1
prevented the accomplishment of this pur.
pose; but the lawyers artifice had the eff
feet of materially lessening the distance be
tween himself and the pursued. Despite this
momentary advantage, however, the mar
gradually drew away from him, reached ar
adjacent street intersection and disappeared
AS Bristow reached the corner his foot
struck an obstruction and he was thrown
violently. to the pavement. For a moment
he lay half stunned. Then he arose with
bruised knees and torn palms to renew the
chase. But the mishap had given his quarry
decided lead which he was increasing al
every bound.
The fugitive made no effort to deviate
from his original course, but kept onward a:
if relying solely upon superior speed and
endurance to place him beyond reach Of his
determined pursuer.
1t soon began to look as though the flee
ing mans evident self-confidence was MOI
altogether misplaced, for he sped along like
a startled deer, drawing away from Bris
tow with such rapidity that it seemed as il
the attorney were almost at standstill
But, setting his teeth grimly, the young
man put forth every effort and slowly close.
the gap between them.
Bristow at first believed his quarry to b.
the individual he had seen lurking about thu
grounds earlier in the morning, but whei
the man cast quick, frightened glance ovel
his shoulder he obtained full view of hi:
face and realized the error of such suppo
sition.
The man in the gray ulster had been tai
and slender of face, while this individual
had the heavy features of an Italian of the
lower class. He was, furthermore, stockily
built, roughly clad and looked like laborer
His face was disfigured by livid scar tha
traversed one cheek diagonally, imparting tt
his entire countenance a sinister, leerin,
cast.
Several blocks were covered in this way
Then they entered more populous portion
of the city. Hitherto the streets had beer
deserted, but now hurrying pedestrian
hero and thara xaal,sad nd tr,xlx