Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1923-03-08

TT E went no closer than the highway, be-
II cause it was not necessary. He ordered
- - the car to turn and go back, and for
the first and only time he was filled with bit
ter resentment against David. David had
fooled him. He was man, not a child, and
David had fooled him.
He sat beside the driver, his face glover
ing and his eyes hot, and let his imagination
burn in him like flame
Hours afterwards, he had, of course, found
excuses for David, accepted them, rather as
a part of the mystery which wrapped him
about but they had no effect the de-
cisOn he made during that miserable ride
back to Norada, when he determined to see
the Bassett and get the truth out of him
if he had to choke it out
Bassett fairly stupefied when he saw
Dicks signature on the hotel register. 1t de-
stroyed, in one line, every theory he held.
That Judson Clark should return to Norada
after his flight was incredible. Ten years
was only ten years after all. 1t was not a life
time There were men in the town who had
known him we'll
Nevertheless, for time he held to his
earlier conviction, even fought for it. He
went SO far as to wonder if Clark had come
back for a tardy surrender. Men had done
that before this, had carried a burden for
years, had REACHED the breaking point, had
broken. But he dismissed that There had
been no evidence of breaking in the young
thrown back, finally, on the story of the
WATSON woman, and wondering if he would
have to accept it, after all
The reaction from his certainty in the
cabin to uncertainty again made him fretful
and sleepless. 1t was almost morning before
he relaxed, on his hard hotel bed, enough to
Isleep.
He wakened late, and telephoned down for
breakfast. His confusion had not decreased
with the night, and while lie got painfully
out of bed and prepared to shave and dress
his thoughts were busy. There was no doubt
in his mind that, in spite of the growth of
the town, the newcomer would be under
arrest almost as soon as he made his appear
ance. A resemblance that could deceive Bev-
erly Carlysle's brother could deceive others
and would. That he had escaped'so long as
founded him.
BY the time he had bathed he had devel-
oped a sort of philosophic acceptance of The
new situation. There would be no exclusive
story now, no scoop. The events of the next
few hours were for every man to read. He
shrugged his shoulders as, partially dressed,
he carried his shaving materials into the bet
ter light of his bedroom
With his face partially latherei he head
a knock at the door, and sang out a not I'M
cheerful Come in" 1t happened, then, that
lit was through his mirror that he learned
that his visitor was not the waiter, but DiV-
ingstone himself. He had an instant of
stunned amazement before he turned.
81 beg your pardon" Dick said. Il was
afraid you'd get out before | saw you. My
names Livingstone, and I want to talk to
back later"
He perceived two things simultaneously
that owing probably to the lather on his face
he had not been recognized, and that the face
of the man inside the door was haggard and
strained.
That's all right Come in and sit down
i'm get this stuff off my face, and be with you
in fifty"
But he was very deliberate in the bath
room. His establishment grew rather than
decreased. Clearly Livingstone had not
known him. How then had he known that he
was in Norada? And when he recognized
him, he would in a moment what then?
He put on his collar and tied his tie slowly.
Gregory might be the key. Gregory might
have found out that he had started for No
true, this man was Clark after all. But if
he were Clark, he wouldn't be there. 1t was
like kitten after its tail. 1t whirled in a
circle and got nowhere
The waiter had laid his breakfast and
gone when he emerged from the bathroom,
and Dick was standing by the window look
ing out. He turned.
I'm here, Mr.. Bassett, on rather peculiar
-" He stopped and looked at Bassett Il
see. You We're in my office about a month
ago. weren't you?"
For headache, yes" Bassett was wary
and watchful, but there was even then no
particular unfriendliness in his visitors eyes.
at never occurred to ME that you might
be Bassett," Dick said graYely. 'Never mind
about that Eat your breakfast. Do you
mind if I talk while you do it,"
''Will you have some coffee? can get a
glass from the bathroom. 1t takes week to
get waiter here"
Thanks Yes"
The feelings of unreality grew in the, re-
porters' mind. 1t increased still further when
they sat opposite each other, the small table