The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1924-06-03

BY FRED V.
WILLIAMS
Romance and Adventure in Seattle
A Sequel to THE Beacon Hill Mystery

must be within. fur the ttst
time Marian hrsitatri la her
pursuit Of him She felt Just
trace Of the old time fear that
had Eripped her ahrn Renand
and Toha wcrc alive and cast a
shadow over her life.
Then memory ~ The oli man. az
she had seen him climbing labor
ously up the mountain side, dis.
PEELED fear lie was 40 email. 20
old 50 broken. cripple. lie could
not harm her And his face, now
that she reflected. had hscn Kind
he had appeared only curious and
astonished az sight % her
Marian creased the clearing and
stood az the door. She pesred tim.
orously inside
Ia anyone in herof" che asked
II hes your pardon, h anyone IN
here.
There was no answer. Tho
single room Of the old oabln
was cas, la deep shadow save
for q Kllmmrr Of ilEht that came
from a small fire Ia a CRATE.
by is nervous shafts % feeble
light Marian gradually made out the
Interior Of the place. An old table
a rickety chair or two. a bundle q
clothes hanging from hooks on the
vail. simple signs o. hAhltahon by
someone.
Ana thcn-sho started IN friEht
IA squat figure. tho form % a
hunchback on stool In tho corner
watching her with little eyes that
blinked In the bright sunshine flood.
ing the threshold Of the door.
For a full moment Marian stared
AZ this strange ugurc, sho spoke
20 him. lie ala not answer. lie
seemed afraid u her
II called 20 you down the trail -
Marian repeated. you did not an
sWor ! wanted 20 speak 10 you"
Yes" replied the man. Ills
voice was Low. Rsplng.
Marian was glad. The man heard.
he UNDERWOOD. He was not deaf or
dumb, she might talk TO him. And
he was more than afraid OF her than
she had been OF him.
DO not be afraid Of me-" she
went ON rcassuringly. Il viii
not harm you"
II was a. tho she were speaking
10 child The old man remained
silent
Marian began again gently;
II saw you AZ tho train window,
You were looking az me, You seemed
10 know me. Who am IT.
The hunchbaek's eyes widsned In
surprise.
Ms voice now raised to a high
pitch;
Don't you know who you
ares Don't you know who
ann"
Now she felt dread. what past
would he unfold TO bert lie should
she know this revolving creature
Marian feared 20 probe further
but the Impulse TO learn her true
IDENTITY was stronger than her fear
Go on, sho said. TELL mo whC
I am l do not know"
Marian saw his mouth snap shut
and heard his teeth grind with 4
peculiar crunching sound. His lips
were twisting quscrly. He wa
laughing at her.
Anger surgsd up IN the Rirl. He
eyes blazcd. Her hands drnchsd
do not make fun Of me-" sh'
stormed. Tell me what you know
met with an accident. I canno
remember"
The old man spoke again. his eye
blinked.
"Don't you know your own
names" he asked.
Marian Page" she replied. Thorp
was challenge In her voice.
His face became distorted REaIl
with a smile and no shook his head
II mean your real name he con
tiuusd. She was on tho defensive
now.
MY real name" she echcs,
family. In Heavens name. Gid
have more than one name? why
Tell me-"
She waited for tho blow. a blo7
II must he. The old man was no
kind. Ho was amused. Her dis
comfort seemed 10 delight him
Truly this man. as he had know
her in the past. could have been NJ
friend.
Marian PaEo was the name you
father wanted the world 10 know
you by, said tho hunchback.
MY father" echoed Marian.
who Is my father? And why
did ] not bear his nameg''
The hunohback snickerrd.
Your father" hn grinned. why
your father is criminal. You
fathers name Is Renardr'