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About The Nebraska advertiser. (Nemaha City, Neb.) 18??-1909 | View Entire Issue (July 24, 1908)
QRYIP BLINDFOLDED A Mystery Story of San Francisco BY EARLE ASHLEY WALCOTT (Copyright 1900, the Hobbe-Merrlll Co.) SYNOPSIS. Giles Dudley nrrlvcil In Snn Frnnclaco to Join his friend and distant relative Henry Wilton, whom ho was to assist In an Important and mysterious task, and who accompanied Dudley on tho ferry boat trip Into the city. Tho re markable resemblance of tho two men is noted and commented on by paasen Kors on tho ferry. They sco a man with -snuko eyes, which sends a thrill through Dudley. Wilton postpones an explanation of tho straiiKe errand Dudley is to per form, but occurrences causo him to know It Is one of no ordinary meaning. Wilton leaves Giles in their room, with Instruction to await his return. Hardly has ho Bono than Giles Is startled by a cry of "Help." Dudley is summoned in tho morgue and there finds tho dead liody of his friend, Henry Wilton. And thus Wilton dies without over explaining to Dudley the puzzling work he was to perform in San Kranclsco. In order to discover tho secret mission his friend had entrusted to him, Dudley continues his llsgulso and permits himself to be known as Henry Wilton. Dudley, mistaken for WlUon, Is employed by Knapp to assist In n stock brokerage deal. Giles Dudley llnds himself closeted In a room with Mother Borton who makes a confidant of him. He can learn nothing about the mysterious boy further than that It is Tim Terrlll and Darby Meeker who aro after him. Ho Is told that "Dicky" Nahl Is a traitor, playing both hands In tho game. Giles finds himself locked In a room. Dudley gets his first knowledge of Decker, who Is Knapp's enemy on tho Hoard. Dudley visits tho home of Knapp and Is stricken by tho beauty of Luclln, his daughter. Ho learns the note was a forgery. He Is provided with four guards, Brown, Barkhouse, FItzhugh ami Porter. Ho learns there Is to bo no trouble about money as all expenses will bo paid, tho hire of tho guards being paid by ono ltlchmond." CHAPTER XIV. Continued. "Yes, I suppose so," said I dryly. "But the woman has done me service saved my life, I may say and I'm willing to forget tho bad in her." "That's not for me to say, sor; but there's quare things happens, no doubt." "This note," I continued, "is writ ten over her name. I don't know whether 'it came from her or not; but if she sent it I must see her. It may be a case of life or death for me." "An' If it didn't come from her?" asked the policeman shrewdly. "Then," said I grimly, "It's likely to be a caso of death if I venture alone." "I'll tell you what, Mr. Wilton," said Corson after a pause. "If you'll wait a bit, I'll go with you that is, if there isn't somebody else you'd like better to have by your side to-night. You don't look to havo any of your friends about." "Just tho thing," I said heartily. "There's no one I'd rather have. We'll go down as soon as wo can get a bite to eat." "I'll havo to wait a bit, sor, till my relief comes. He'll be along soon. As for getting a bite, you can't do better than wait till you get to Mother Bor ton's. It's a rough place, but it's got a name for good cooking." I was bewildered. "I guess there's not much to be got in the way of eating in tho house. There was nothing left in it yester day morning but the rats." I spoke with considerable emphasis. "That's quare, now," he said, look ing to see if there- was a Jest behind the words. "But 'twas all there when McPherson and I put a club to a drunk as was raising tho Ould Nick in tho place and smashing tho bottles, not six hour3 ago. When wo took him away in tho ixpress wagon tho ould woman was rowling out those long black curses in a way that would warm tho heart of 'tho foul ilend him self." Thero was some fresh mystery about this. I hold my tonyuo with tho rellcction that I had better lot it straighten Itself out than risk a stum ble by asking about tilings I ought to know. Corson's relief soon appeared. "It's a nasty night," ho said, buttoning up his overcoat closely, as Corson gave hi in a brief report of the situation on tho boat. "it's good for them as likes it dark," said Corson. "It's just such a night as wo had when Donaldson was murdered. Do you mind it?" "Do 1 mind it? Am I likely to forglt it? Woll, a pleasant timo to you, mo boy. Como along, sor. We'd bettor bo moving. You won't mind stepping up to tho hall with mo, will ye, while 1 roport?" "Certainly not," I said with a shiver, half at tho grim suggestion of mur der niul half at tho chill of tho fog and the cutting wind that blow je cold vi i "ir through to tho aklu. "You've no overcoat," said Corson. "We'll stop and got one. I'll have mlno from tho station." The silence of the house of mystery was no less threatening now than on the night when Henry Wilton was walking through tho halls on tho way to his death. But tho stout-hearted policeman by my side gavo mo pon fldonoc, and no sign showed the pres ence of an enemy as 1 secured Henry's heavy overcoat and the largo revolver he had given me, and wo took our way down tho stairs. A short visit to the grimy, foul smelling basement of the City Hall, a brisk walk with tho cutting wind at our backs and I felt rather than saw that we wero in the neighborhood of the scene of my adventures of a night that had come so near costing me my life, and then I saw tho lantern sign give forth Its promise of tho varied en tertainment that could bo had at Bor ton's. "Hero we are," said Corson. Wo pushed open tho door and en tered. Tho place had tho samo np pearnnce as the one to which I had been taken by Dicky Nahl. "A fine night, Mother Borton," said Corson cheerily, ns he was the first to enter, and then added under his breath, "for tho dlvil's business." Mother Borton stared at him with a black look and muttered a curse. "Good evening," I hastened to say. "I took the liberty to bring a friend; he doesn't como as an ofllccr to night." The effect on the hag's features was marvelous. Tho black scowl lighten ed, tho tight-drawn Hp3 relaxed, and thero was a sign of pleasure in the bright eyes that had Hashed hatred at the policeman. "Ah, it's you, is it?" she said sharp ly, .but with a tone of kindness in her greeting. "I didn't see ye. Now sit down and find a table, and I'll bo with ye after a bit." "We want a dinner, and a good one. I'm half-starved." "Aro ye, honey?" said the woman with delight. "Then it's tho best din ner in town ye shall havo. Here, Jim! Put these gentlemen over there at tho corner table." "It's not tho aristocracy of stoilo ye got here," said Corson, lighting his pipe after the coffee, "but It's prime eating." I nodded in lazy contenment, and then started up in remembrance of the occasion of our being in this place as the shadow of Mother Borton fell across the table. "If you will go upstairs," she said sourly. "You know the way. I guess your friend can spare you." "Is thero anything that can't be told beforo him?" I asked. ? t "You'll be safer in my care than in his," she said, with warning In her tone. "Yes, yes, I know I am safe here, but how is it with my friend if I leave him hero? We came together and we'll go together." Tho crone nodded with a laugh that ended in a snarl. "If the gang knew he was here thero would bo more fun than you saw tho other night." "Don't worry about me, Mr. Wilton," said Corson with a grin. "1'vo stood her crowd off beforo, and I can do it again if tho need conies. But I'd rath er smoke a poipe In peace." "You can smoke in peace, but it's not yourself you can thank for it," said Mother Borton sharply. "There'll bo no trouble hero to-night. Como along." And tho old woman started for tho door. "Aro you sure you're all right?" asked Corson In a low volco. "There's men gono up those stairs that came down with a sheet over them." "It's all right that is, unless there's danger to you In leaving you here." "No. Go ahead. I'll wait for ye. I'd as lief sit hero as anywheres." I hastened after Mother Borton, who was glowering at mo from the door way, and followed her footsteps in si lence to tho lloor above. Mother Borton walked tho passago cautiously and in silence, and I fol lowed her example until sho pushed open a door and was swallowed up In the blackness. Then I paused on the threshold while she lighted a candle; and as I entered, she swiftly closed and locked tho door behind me. "Sit down," sho said in a harsh volco, motioning mo to a chair by tho stand that hold tho candle. Then this strange creature seated herself In front of mo, and looked steadily and sternly In my faco for a full minute. "What havo you done that I should help you?" sho broko forth In a harsh voice, bor eyes still fixed on my fnco. "I really couldn't say," I replied po litely. "You have done me ono or two services already. That's tho best rea son 1 know why you should do mo an other." Tho hard linos on the faco beforo me rolaxed at tho sound of my volco, and tho old woman nodded approv ingly "Ay, reason enough, I guoss. Thorn as wants bettor can find It thomsolvos. But why did you snonk out of tho house tho other night like a cop In plain clothes? Didn't I go ball you wore safe? Do you want any hotter word than mine?" sho had begun al most soUly, but the voice grew high er and harsher as she wont on. "Why," I snid, bewildered again, "tho houso sneaked away from mo or, at least you left me alone In It." "How was that?" sho asked grimly. And I described graphically my ex perience in tho deserted building. As I proceeded with my talc an amused look replaced the harsh lines of suspicion on Mother Borton's face. "Oh, my lud!" sho cried with a chuckle. "Oh, my lud! how very green you are, my boy. Oh ho! ho ho!" And then sho laughed an Inward, self-consuming laugh that called up anything but the feeling of sympathetic mirth. "I'm glad It amuses you," I said with Injured dignity. "Oh, my liver! Don't you see it yet? Don't you see that you climbed Into tho next houso back and went through on to the other street?" And sho relapsed into her state of silent merriment. I felt foolish enough as tho truth Hashed over me. I had lost my sense of direction in tho strange house, and had been deceived by the resemblnnco of tho ground plan of tho two build ings. "But what about tho plot?" I asked. "I got your note. It's very Interesting. What about It?" "What plot?" "Why, I don't know. The ono you wrote mo nbout." Mother Borton bent forward and searched my faco with her keen glance. "Oh," sho said at last, "tho ono 1 wrote you about. I'd forgotten It." This was disheartening. How could I depend on one whose memory was thus capricious? "Yes," said I gloomily; "I supposed you might know something about It." "Show me the note," she said sharp ly. I fumbled through my pockets until I found It. Mother Borton clutched it, held It up to the candle, and studied it for two or three minutes. "Where did you get it?" I described tho circumstances In which It had como Into my possession, and repeated tho essentials of Cor- son's story. Mother Borton's eharp, evil face was impassive during my re cital. When it Wfis done sho mut tered : "Gimme a fool for luck." Then sho appeared to consider for a minute or more. "Well?" said I Inquiringly. "Woll, honey, you're having a run of tho cards," sho said at last. "Be tween having tho message trusted to a fool boy, and having a cop for your friend, an' maybe gltllng this noto be fore you're expected to, you're setting hero genteel-like having agreeable conversation along with me, Instead of being In company you mightn't llko so well or maybe Heating out toward Fort Point." "So you didn't write?" I said coolly. "I had an Idea of the kind. That's why my friend Corson Is smoking his plpo down stairs." Mother Borton gavo mo a pleased look and nodded. I hoped I had mado her regrot tho cruel Insinuation in her application of tho proverb to mo as tho favorlto of fortune. "I seo," I said. "I was to bo way laid on tho road hero and killed." "Carried off, more likely. I don't say as It wouldn't end in klllln' ye. But, you seo, you'd bo of mighty small uso in tellln' tr.-los if you was dead; but you might bo got to talk If thoy had yo In a quiet place." "Good reasoning. But Iionry Wil ton was killed." Yos," admitted Mother Borton; "tlfoy thought ho carried papers, and maybo they ain't got over tho Idea ylt. It's jest as well you'ro hero Instld of having a llttlo passoar with Tom Tor rill and Darby Meeker and their pnls." "Woll," said I, as cheerfully as I could under tho depressing circum stances, "IT they want to kill mo, 1 don't seo how I can hoop them from getting a ehauco soonor or lator," Mother Borton looked nnxlous at this, and shook hor hoad. "You must cut? oi) your men," she said decidedly. "You must havo guarda," "Bi the wny," I said, "that reminds mo. Tho men haven't been paid, and they're looking to mo for money." "Who'o looking to you for money?" "Dicky Nahl and tho others, I sup pose." "Dicky Nahl?" "Why, yes. Ho asked mo for It." "And you gavo it to him?" sho asked sharply, "Noo that Is, I gavo him ten dol lars and told him he'd have to wait Tor tho rest, I haven't got the monoy from tho ono that's doing tho hiring yet, so I couldn't pay him." Mother Borton gavo an ovll grin, and absorbed another Inward laugh. "I reckon tho money'll come all right," snid Mother Borton, recovering from her mirth. "Thoro's ono moro anxious than you to havo 'em paid, and if you ain't found out you'll havo. It right away. Now for guards, tako Trent no, ho's hurt. Take Brown and Portor and Barkhouse and FItz hugh. They're wideawake, and don't talk much. Tako 'em two and two, and never go without 'em, night or day. You stop horo to-night, and I'll git 'em for you to-morrow." I declined tho proffered hospitality with thanks, and as a compromise agreed to call for my bodyguard in tho early morning. Rejoining Corson, I oxplnlnod Mother Borton's theory of tho plot that had brought mo thither. "She's llko to bo right," said the po liceman. "Sho knows tho gang. Now, if you'll tako my advice, you'll lot tho rats havo your room for this night, and como along up to uuino folno ho tel." Tho advlco appeared good, and fif teen minutes lator Corson wns drink ing my health at tho Lick Houso bar, and calling on tho powers of light and darkness to watch over my safety as I slept. Whother duo to his prayors or not, my sleep was undisturbed, oven by dreams of Doddridge Knapp and his charming but scornful daughtor; and with the full tide of UTo ami buslnoss (lowing through tho street In tho morning hours I found mysolf onco more In Mother Borton's dingy eating room, ordering a breakfast. Mother Borton Ignored my entrance, and, perched on a high stool behind tho bar and cash-drawer, reminded mo of tho vulture guarding its prey. But at last sho fluttered over to my tablo and took a seat opposite. "Your men are here," sho said short ly. And then, as I expressed my thanks, sho warmed up and gnvo me a description by which I should know each and led me to tho room whore, as sho said, thoy wero "corralled." "By tho way," I said, halting out side tho door, "thoy'U want somo money, I suppose. Do you know how much?" "They're paid," sho said, and pushed open tho door beforo I could express surprise or ask further quostlons. I surmised that sho had paid them her self to save mo from nnnoyanco or possible danger, and my gratltudo to Ibis strange creature rose still higher, (TO 1510 CONTINUED.) WORLD CENSUS OF JEWS. Only Two Countries Havo Greater Number Than America. In tho American Jewish Year Book, just Issued by tho Jewish Publication society of Philadelphia, the Jowlsh population of the .United States Is giv en as 1 ,777,185. Only two countries have a greater Jewish population, Russia, with n,2ir.,80.r, and Austria Hungary, with 2,076,:!87. Tho Immi gration through tho ports of New York, Philadelphia and Balllmoro for tho year ended Juno 30, 1907, was Kl l,li:i. Tho Jewish population of tho United States Is larger by G1U than tho combined Jowlsh population of tho British empire, Germany, France, Italy, Morocco, Turkey, Spain, China, Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, Peru and Creto. Tho British omplro has only :5Gl,C;i9 Jews, of whom 17,-103 are In Australia, 18,228 In India, 48,820 In South Africa and 10,000 In Canada and British Columbia. Thero aro 4G3.C86 Jews in Turkey, 30,578 in Egypt nnd 10, HOO in Persia. In theso threo countries thero aro about 100,000 fowor than there aro In Now York city. Tho Jewish population of tho world Is given as 11,585,202.. Amerh can Jowlsh Year Book. A Hurdy-Gurdy Romance. Tho day was sunny and warm. Tho shado of an oak tree overhanging a board fence offered gratoful sheltor to tho old woman who wheeled a hurdy gurdy slowly down tho street. Leav ing tho organ at the curbstono, tho woman seated herself on tho ground close to tho fence, untied a red ban danna, from which alio produced a luncheon not over dainty or nppotlz Ing In appcaraneo, spread out a news paper, and sot forth tho moal, ovldont ly expecting somo ono else. Tho old hurdy-gurdy mini soon Join ed hor, bringing with him tho pall' of boor for which ho had stopped on tho avoniu'. Ho was brown and wrink led and grimy llko herself; hut ho foro beginning tho meal ho hunt down and kissed the old woman, as If ob tiurvlng u sacraniunt. And llfo seemed suddenly puror and Hwooter to tho pas- rby, N. Y. Preaa. Knickor Edison says fotlr hours' sloop Is enough for ovorybody. Docker It would bo If you could tnko It after It is tlmo to got up. New York Sun. Domestic Pleasantries, "I hear Mrs. Straitlaco is opposed to all sorts of society functions nnd entertaining." "Sho is. Sho Ib so narrow-minded that sho wouldn't oven entertain an idea." Baltinioro American. Laughing Gas. "I seo," observed tho delegnto with the rotrcntlng hair, "that Toxas has sent Taft a present of n pair of wool trousora." "Yes," commented tho dologato with tho Ingrfiwlng chin, "nil wool and n yard wide." Chicago Tribune. IN THE LITERARY WORLD. Ono of tho really Important events of tho Htorary world this season was tho appearance of Winston Churchill's now novol "Mr. Crowo's Caroor." In this work Mr. Churchill has moro than sustained his provlous well earned reputation. It is dodlcated "To tho men who In ovory stnto of the union aro ongagod In tho struggle for purer politics." From this It la scon that the story doals with an in tensely Interesting topic, and it Is n vigorous, dramatic, enlortnlnlng ro cltal of a subject in which overy per son Is concerned. Tho localo of tho story makes it a natural aequol to "Conlston," although tho timo Is tho present. That Thomas MoKoan, tho young Pliilndolphla author, has mado much progress In tho world of lottors in his second novel, "Tho Master Influonco," published this spring by tho Llppln cotts, Is cvldoncod by tho many aori oub and appreciative rovlowis ac corded the book. Its steady and In creasing sales show that tho writer has already won a largo following. Mr McKcan Is spending the summer abroad, engaged upon another novel. Ho says ho has not gono to Europo entirely for material, howovor, as his own country Is a rich onough flold to furnish any number of intorostlng plots. A thrilling escapo from Now Or leans, of a party of threo, followed by a aeries of singular experiences' among a trlbo of Indians, mako up tho core of Randall Parrlsh's now ro mance, "Prisoners of Chanco," Just published by A. C. McCIurg & Co. Around this nro woven tho mystery of the queen of tho nborlgmoB, a woman with sunlit hair who bends tho savages to her slightest whim, tho plottlngs and counterplottings In tho Fronch-Spanlsh city iff tho mouth of tho Mississippi, tho (lungers and fight-1 Ing of tho long Journey up tho river with an eager enemy closo boliind, the self-sacrlfico and martyrdom of a missionary, and tho common senso; and presence of mind of an American pioneer of tho most robust typo. Thol result is a story filled with thrills; and excitements, In Mr. Parr:jh's most Inventive vein. Impoliteness. A 'normous dog came in ono day, And he and I commenced to play; And wo had fun, and nice fun, too, Long as he 'haved as a dog should do, But when ho got so awful rough I hollered that I'd had onough, But 'stead of stopping as ho should, As nnybody'd think ho would, IIo knocked mo down and tried to 80S' If 'no could sit on all of me. (From Our Baby Book, by Fanny Y. Cory.) Lincoln Directory ALVEOLAR METHOD Jf you liavo two or moro tooth In oitlior Jaw,! wo can replace (ho m'salii? tooth with thoi lmuutllul Alvoolar method. II will nay you to como any dlstanco for thin beu..tlful work. Wo tighten loom) toi'th nnd euro Horn kuiiih. Wo do all hrani'licH of Dentistry. Work dono immediately for out-of-town patrons. Located horo for yearn. IIOS'I ON IJUNTISTS, 1U11) O, Struct. Lincoln, Nobranka. , S CLEANERS AND DYERS' And Pressors ol Ladios'. Gentlemen's and Children's Clolliiny. Wrilo lor Prico List. J. C.WOOD & CO. 1322 N ST., LINCOLN, NEB. GasoSi&ue Engines Our now 1 cyolo motor In dofllunod es pecially for farm and Hliop. CUSIIMAN MOTOIt CO., LINCOLN, NE3R. Machine Work S hit?, I'uIIovh, Hliaftlnu' Kto. Auto I Hamilton. :ilr work of klmra. licit- Auto I'honoUTM. DAHSEN & RESS 325L,SNco9ffi 8t SOUTH DAKOTA LAND Now Ik your opportunity to buy Mouth, Dakota land ut bent prico. Largo lint to wlcot from, Wrlto iw for particular. WHITE & LEVI, 7IG P St., Lincoln, Nebraska.- faffs Ranch nt Taft, TEXAS Thin famous ranch, tho best In tho couM toimtry, at rcnioiuiblo prices. oay torniH. Wrlto us today for partl ulara. V.-ITE & LEVI, 716 i S Lincoln, Nebraska t