Year: 1874

through the shop and into q little bach
room, ordinarily furnished and communi.
eating with the shop by means Of glass
door which he closed, and as his visitor
seated himself, said simply
"You've chosen a rather curious time
Y for your business, Mr.. Amory."


The surprise which he had ut FIRST exhib-
tied, faded into look of the intensesi
cunning, as he watched his visitor remove
his cloak and hat, reveal face handsome,
I dark aud cruel. A face beloved of women,
dreaded Of men,-a face in which was
! blended avarice passion and the deepest
cunning. He did not seem to be at all
unfamiliar with the place, but taking a
seat, removed his outer covering and
watched his host go to a little cupboard
and take from thence a small black bottle
and two glasses, pouring out a drink for
both Of them from it.


You have come ON business, you say,
began the old man as his visitor set down
his empty glass upon the table. ''YOu
have not troubled me ON that score for
some time back.


The Others eyes flashed in an ominous
manner. :


have one word to say To you, Just
here, he said, hastily, You need use no
subterfuge with me. | have always paid
you for your services, and we'll, too.
need them again, and can afford to be lib
eral with you. Are you willing to do q
little work for me for which | will paw you
well


Old Martin Gibbs was silently specula-
tive for few moments. Finally he said


Yes"


Dir. Amory moved into very pleasant
position of repose, rehlled hIs glass and
emptied 1t and then said


Ten years ago you and | me-. You did
some work for me you remember e


Yes"


''Ten years ago" resumed the man.
II came to you IN the case of a trouble
some young friend whom wished removed
from my path. You undertook the job
you did 1t we'll From that day | have
not seen him.


You never will performed my work
we'll The boy is now a man, laborIng
somewhere in the far west. l only know
that he will not trouble you again"


There is one thing" the other, Mr..
Amory, said Ten years ago when you
received from me the sum of five hundred
dollars for removing from my path the
person to whom we have referred, | left in
your hands package to be returned to me
when called for 1t. That package con-
tanned valuable papers-that Is, valuable
to me, for they established the identity Of
the boy whom we have referred to.


Martin Gibbs hesitated for q moment,
looked at the imperturbable, determined
features of his companion, and then said as
he arose from his seat and knelt before a
small safe in one corner Of the room, in
a mutfied undertone


"You should allow me something for
keeping the package safe all these years


Always money ejaculated Amory,
impatlently and angrily. However, | will
give you something.


He took the package from the old mans
hands eagerly, as the latter, having finally
unlocked the door If the safe took there
from the package in question. He exam
ined its contents carefully and then, APP
parently satisfied that the package had not
been tampered with, did it up again and
placed it IN his pocket.


There" he said, as he drew his over
coat over him, donned his hat and flung a
small roll Of bills upon the table. "Let
that pay you for your trouble. "


The old man clutched the money eagerly
in his long, bony fingers, and led the way
to the front door. His visitor did not,
however, speak, except to bid him gruff
good night, and then, turning on his heel,
walked rapidly away.


He did not stop until he had reached q
low lane running to the river. 1t lay
murky and dark as he stood and gazed
upon it. Then he took the package from
his pocket, tied loose stone lying at his
feet to it, with a strong cord which he took
from his pocket, and flung the parcel far
out into the river Then he fastened
away, not noticing that the stone had
slipped from the careless moose. 1t did
not sink, but hoated on with the tide far
out to sea.