Harry Blount, the Detective

ver. Just as she came down, Hall entered the library with a pap

idered the offer which you made me yesterday, and, if you still wish it, I

t certain her father had not spoken to her, and a

did not look at him. "I am glad indeed! For I love

voice. He came over slowly-he felt half afraid of her now-and

able to tell you Kate has relent

and-well, everybody loves a lover, and notwithstanding an unpleas

agony," adding in a jesting tone which cause

as well be done now! Co

nd she had fainted. Hastily summoning Mrs. Stafford the men adjourne

ken to her?"

intended to, but it s

all was generous in his happiness, apparently, for the object of the journey was to relieve Mr. Sta

er dining together, the men parted, Stafford starting for home,

as he spent the time drinking and playing billiards. Just about dusk he qu

he afternoon, a drizzling, misty rain, with the regulation fog accompaniment, and no one would recognize in the man in the big

not see ten feet behind him, Hall ascended to the second floor. His knock was answered b

t was the police you could keep them out

d and bolted the door again, and then foll

romised to have a copy of this Carden's will the next t

d in the negative and Hal

trust anyone else 'n I can

property is this? Why hasn't some one tried to find this Carden's relatives?" And having fired t

nowed who 'e wuz or where he come from. When he died I happened to be the first to find him. I felt sure he had p

know?" inter

s a crowd from the camp. It wos lucky I didn't touch the dust-they'd a hung me sure! The papers wos down my

ve these papers yourself?

t 'em myself!

, but checked himself instantly. It was too late, however, for Hall, who was w

ld man could reply, continued: "Was there anything e

to throw the old man off his

onds, but there was a lot of land 'roun

all he wanted and m

er two years now, and it's time I saw something to

housand

andmothers! Why,

t a penny less," retur

his chair so that they sat directly in front of each other. His hands were thrust into the pockets of his loose sack coat, and Hall as he gazed at him, saw the butt of a pistol peeping from the right hand pocket. He

move nervously in his cha

must have the five thousand; but what will you do w

sh smile as he said this, and the o

said, nervously, "don't you

et's have some of that

et, from which he took the black bottle referred to and a couple of heavy bottom tumblers

would be foolish enough to shoot you, as I see you are prep

stant and extended for more, although the contents was brandy, stolen brandy. To a keen observer it would appear that Hall was nerving himself for something desper

he papers behind

he turned his head for an instant, and in that instant a pinch of white powder, sca

with a harsh laugh; then changing his t

emed to the watcher, who was holding his glass to his

rink!" he

s, but set it down. "I won't," he re

the floor, and in an instant he had a pistol pointed at the old man

d drive Job out of patience with your suspicions. Can't you see plainly that I can't get al

and filling it to t

rink mine," and apparently exchanged

can perform the trick, but the old man knew nothing of juggling. He did know h

itter! Oh! oh! Yo

Your time is up, although t

chair to the floor, striking his

chair, with his eyes averted from the heap on the floor, but the old man's glassy stare

proceeded to remove all traces of his presence. The glass he had used himself he put back in the cl

n inside pocket a package of papers. A glanc

ardonically. "I knew the old thief was lying," he muttered. Something had fallen from

ole down-stairs and out into the night-possessed of certain very valuable papers, a money-belt which he felt certain contained diamonds worth ￡20,000, and the brand of Cain upon his brow