Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-03
By
]. S. Fletcher

johnson went In the opposite direction,
along a narrow tree-shaded path which
led him, tortuously, fer some distance
beneath the great mound at the summit
of which Barowsburgh Castle looked
down on the surrounding. country.
There was no sign OF human habi-
tation along that path, and stranger,
following it, would never have expected
to flnd any. But, at a. sudden turn,
where the path and the river seemed
to be about to be swallowed up In deep
woods, johnson found a little clearing,
in the midst of which stood an old,
picturesque house. Over the man en-
trance hung q quaintly-hgured aign,
showing q man, a rod and 4 baslcUe Of
fish; beneath this, in faded letters, ap-
peared the style and title OF this I'M
expected place of entertainment-The
Anglers Rest. BY James Oates.
Lonely as the place was, johnson
took a careful look round before he
entered its front door When he had
satisfied himself that there was nobody
about, and that he was not even being
watched from any of the windows, he
slipped into the dark. stone-paved hall,
and, with the confidence of one who
knew his bearings, made for q small
room at its end In which there was.
little to see beyond an ancient center
table and an old chair or two, On the
table stood Q bell; a gentle shaking Of
1t brought to Johnson'S presence q man
who looked more like q groom than. a
landlord and sported from the corner of
his lips q bit of straw, the steadily
chewing of which appeared 10 be one
of the main occupations of his leisure.
At sight of johnson he fastened to
close the door and to nod meaningly.
Gomez" inquired johnson.
Hes herei" replied the groonay-
looking man, laconically. Been here
10 minutes"
"WellP" suggested johnson.
The man sat down in the chair near
est the door. =.
"I think he's willing to speak.-for a
consideration" he said, with q warning
accent on the last word. Not Unless
naturally"
Naturally" agreed johnson. mot
to be expected, of course"
Handsome, too" said the other.
''What-now, what might you be think
ing OF naming, like?"
johnson dropped into another chair
ana began to smoke. He had blown
two or three clouds into the air before
he made answer.
Let's understand matters clearly"
he said. 1.-THE consideration-amou
thereof, you know-will depend on the
value of the evidence. Let him give
value Tor his money and we shall be-
The man twisted his mouth into
sly grin.
what he can tell--that it was of no
them"
None of that!" retorted johnson
sharply: You're dealing with gentle
men! And-with gentlemen of means
II he can put In our way what you tell
me you believe he can" I'd
We'll, there'd be q little matter on
account-to begin with?" suggested the
Intermediary.
Bit o. cash down, like?"
ment.
Fetch him herel" he said. "And
when you've brought him, see that the
three OF us are left alone.
the man rose and went away, and
as soon as he had gone johnson drew
out a pocketbook and from one OF it's
inneriolds produced wad OF new and
cracking Bank of England notes which
he laid ostentationsly on the table be-
fore him. Then he folded his, arms,
stretched his legs. and smoked toward
the blackened ceiling, picture of nom
chalant indifference. But it was not
at him but at the bank notes that the
Two men stared who presently entered
and locked the door behind them.
The second man was a good deal of
replica OF the first, but while the FIRST
man was dressed like a groom, the
second was attired In the neat livery Of
private chauffeur. Had Engleden
been there he would have recognized
him Immediately as Oates, the chauf-
feur to SanderSon and the man who
had found Col. Engleden's body. John
son, OF course, knew him as such. and
the landlord Of the Anglers Rest as his
brother. There they were, James Oates,
John Oates-James, intermediary; John
but ne scarcely knew vet what John
ming, after motioning both 70 sit oppo-
site him at the table, he put the tip Of
forefinger on the notes.
Hundred and fifty Of the best therel"
ne said. las start, mindl II we ffnd
the mformations worth more, there.ll
be more. Got that?"
The brothers sat down, their eyes or,
the money. James nodded understand
ingly;
said. Il should tell, II I were YOU. Jack.
On that understanding, to be sure
More-if it's worth more"
Inc chauneur looked at the money
and at johnson, and at his brother. and
finally at the ceiling. Suddenly his
gaze fastened itself on johnson and re-
manned there
Its all in a private and confidential
way, OF course?" he demanded.
Absolutely" said johnson.
Il don't want it to get Ground 10
Sanderson,' remarked John Oates. TITS
a good place, mine, and
It'll be as secret as If you whispered
1t into that fireplace" declared johnson,
only more so-nreplaces have ears,
like walls
John shifted his position again
Johnson. watching him closely, could
see that he was hesitating, and he
haStened to add another word.
derstand-Strictlyl -
James put IN quiet observation,
why, now, even If It did get out.
what he can ten is naught but the
TRUTH" he said. And YOU can't nav
nothing to man for telling the truth,
anyhow" - !: :
"Oh, aye, it's the truth" said John
Il wouldn't tell no other. True as--as
can bel" y
"well-what is it9" asked johnson
Then, as If wearied of the sight Of
them, he suddenly pushed the bank
'em in your pocket" he exclaimed.
And as Say-if what you can tells
real good, why, there's more where
those came from. Now, let's be
hearing!" -.
John picked up the notes RinRerly.
and Just as suddenly as johnson, had
pushed them over to him, pushed them,
in his turn, toward his brother.
Here, you take care of 'em, JIM" he
said. I'VE can see to that AFTER He
turned to johnson. "You know Il was
me that found the old gentleman's body
in that hole in the river?" he asked.
johnson nodded. and, putting his An
gers together on the table before him,
composed himself in the attitude of an
attentive listener.
II knowl Get on with IT,"