The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1932-05-13
CHAPTER VIII
Lucy Makes a Discovery

When Lee had started the car, and
they were on their way towards New
chester, he asked:
Now tell me. Who's this Silly
Billy? Is it an idiotic pet name for
anyone?" His tone was so curl
ously brusque, that it suggested that
he'd be glad to hit some one, or some
thing. She glanced up at him, good
deal puzzled.
"a pet name? Jim, I wonder II
you've ever seen him? You may know
him quite well He's a crazy
creature. The village idiot of these
parts, 1 imagine SilIy-Billy was
the name he gave himself
Lee sat silent a moment, thinking
back through nearly four years TO the
time when he lived at Brady's cot
tage.
why, that must be Billy Brady, old
Mother Brady's half-witted nephew;
son Of one of her brothers-in-law.
A great hulking fellow? With an aw-
full squint? How did you meet him7
How did you happen to be here, any
way?'
Il came to see the cottage. Where
you used to live"
Were you alone?"
Again she looked up at him, puz-
zled.
Eyes. Until I met Billy"
"All right. Well, what did you come
here for?"
She hesitated; then:
"Jim has it ever occurred to you,
that the really effective thing to do, is
to prove your innocence Of that hate
full business three years ago?"
He looked at her quickly.
"Why are you so convinced Of my
innocence?" he asked, rather as If her
faith plagued him. Remember that
twelve good men and true, have proved
otherwise
THAT was Just some CHASTITY, night
mare mistake" she said, land 1 am
not Influenced by it."
When he spoke again it was to re-
turn to the subject of Billy.
"What did he do to brighten your
She told him of the scene in the
wood: how Billy had got her money
from her and buried it under the bram-
bles. And how, finally, he had
really seemed dangerous when he
warned her not to come back and find
out what rich man he was
When they reached the hotel he had
a suitcase taken in and the car
Nd fall -
room. She stood for while. looking
at him; then drew shaky little breath
and laughed unsteadily.
You're an utter surprise. But
I've been so terrified by Billy and so
crazy-glad at being rescued from him,
that I've hardly had time to wonder
what made you come here What
did, Jim?"
Have you forgotten that I am Lin
forths?'
But Linforths are not here"
"No; but Gresham's are"
"Ah, Jimi Is there nothing you will
stop at to satisfy this demon of re-
venge that possesses you?" she cried.
hurt to the heart. as she was always
hurt when confronted by fresh evil
dences of his vengefulness.
Nothing" He shot the word out
through shut teeth; but she failed to
hear in it the ring Of challenge as IL
he sought to assure himself; to
strengthen his own resolution.
She looked at him thoughtfully.
"You oughtn't to come to Newches-
ter, Jim. You might be recognized.
There are so many Of Gresham's men
about. Surely, IL it is necessary to
watch our business movements, you
could find some trustworthy spy
to do the watching for YOU"
There was curl to her lip as she
said that. that brought the hot color
to his face.
For a moment it seemed that words
clamored at his lips, and that he held
them in check only with a mighty
effort. Even with that effort his check
upon them was evidently not complete,
for he said abruptly:
Perhaps that was not my only rea-
son for coming here. Perhaps came
to see you" Then:
i've seen Jocelyn Upton" he said,
and waited