The Third Man.

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 51, 17 March 1894, Page 13

The Third Man.

Storyteller, ♦

-(By J. G. Bethune, author of “ The jtye of Hercules,” “The Cypher F,” etc.)

[AI Xi EIGHTS R’ served.]

CHAPTER YI. WI.Y I ID I E DO IT ? Eecognising the ax om that no such crime is ever committed hy a sane person without a comprehensive motive, the docti r racked his brain to conceive what possible cause could exist in a case like this. His first and most natural recourse was insanity, biit he could not deceive himself on that point. His medical knowledge told him that if ever there was a cool, clear-headed man, with a perfectly balanced brain, Judge Hollywood was he. His decisions on the bench, and his opinions in the higher court had attracted wide attention and had been complimented for their clear-cut logic. He enjoyed the almost solitary distinction of never having had a ruling reversed by the court above him. “I was with him for hours before the thing was done, and was the first to speak to him after the crime was committed. If he was crazy, so am I, so is Walrasley, so is everybody in th e wide worl d. ”

“Jt couldn’t have been money, for money has never had. and nevei* can liave enough attraction to him to induce the slightest misdemeanour. He is rich, for he has been able to provide comfortably for the widowed mother of his late wife. His own mother and sister are in good circumstances, and I believe through the same liberal hand that has provided for the other one. He is the most o-enerous contributor in church, and heads all charitable subscriptions. Besides in what conceivable way could the death of his wife help him fiancially ? Faugh ! I’m a zany to give a thought to it.” Despite all he could do, his brain, .turning’ round and in upon itself, suggested the most hateful answer oi all —woman.

“ There is only one cause that can cause a wise'man to make a fool of himself —that is an interesting- woman. How in the name of Heaven she does it passes my understanding-. I have never been bitten by the con-suming-madness, but I’m blest if I can swear that I won’t be. A grim smile Jit the handsome face of the physician at the picture of himself following on the heels of more than one acquaintance that came to his mind. He thought of That true and loyal wife and tne bright son and daughter sleeping peacefully in the adjoining rooms, and mentally resolved that if he ever was seized with that lunacy,_ his first act -would be to press a pistol against his head and scatter his worthless brains to the four winds of heaven. “ 'ihere is one fact about this strange compound we call human nature,” he resumed more seriously, “ and that is that every man or woman who does a wrong or holds a vital secret, longs for a confidant. The impulse to unbosom to someone often becomes irresistible, and it is this odd freak that has brought multitudes to punishment, when, if they had hept their months closed, they would have been safe as far as human retribution goes.” “ The judge ought to know that he can trust me, for my profession has made me the repository of secrets, which, if told lo the world, would brin o- woe and suffering to many a household. I 'will go to him ; I will tell him what I saw to-night ; what Walmsloy said, and I will make him

trust me, and I will help him in his extremity—confound it !” The jingle of his office bell warned him that for the present he must postpone carrying out his resolution. CHAPTER YII. TWO KAILWAY PASSENGERS. The single track railway running through the little town of Clayton was a feeder to the main line at Tan boro, fifteen miles to the south. This was the country seat where Judge Hollywood presided at court, two other counties composing the rest of the district under his charge. The line wound to the northward through a mountainous country, crossing the river forty miles above, extending a short way further, and then tapping another line, whose ultimate outlet was Chicago. ; ' ' Travel was moderate over the branch line, the passengersjgetting on and off at Clayton rarely numberingmore than two or three, except when some special attraction called them in one direction or the other. .

One damp rainy morning, not quite two weeks after the burial of Mr-s Judge Hollywood, a frowsy dilapidated tramp slouched up to the platform, shuffled into the office, and mumbling-1 y asked the price of a ticket to Hartville, a station thirty odd miles to the northward.

“ Seventy-five cents,” replied the dapper clerk* “ which is double the capital I judge that you are the proprietor of, old fellow.” “ Dunno ’bout that,” growled the tramp, jamming one begrimed hand behind the leathern strap at his waist, and forcing it down .into his into his trousers pocket; “ I drawed out more than that from the bank yist’day.” He fished up a lop-sided wallet tied about with a twine string, opened it uncertainly, and, from somewhere within, pulled out a ragged one-dollar bill. .

“ Trade has been good with you, I reckon,” said the agent, spreadingout the bill at full length on the window ledge, and carefully scrutinizing it. The waiting tramp made no reply, but stood in a stooping posture, like one accustomed to cringe, and fixed his blinking eyes on the official, who placed the money in a drawer, flipped out a small piece of pasteboard, deftly stamped, and shoved it and a silver quarter toward the applicant. “ Sorry to inform you that we have no palace cars on our line, and you’ll have to bunk in with common folks.”

“,I reckon I can stand it if you’re not going along,” grinned the tramp, whose soiled face looked as if he had not been shaved or washed for an indefinite time.

“ That’s the unkindest cut of all, old man ; I had hoped that yon would be glad of my company.” “ I might, if you’d dress a little more respectable, so I wouldn’t be ashamed to be seen with you.”

“ I’ll remember that next time, if you will telegraph at my expense, when you are going on your next excursion.”

“ I’m afeard, younger, you wouldn’t be able to take that ere , telegram outen the office, for it woukl v cost nigh onto twenty-five cents, I reckon.” ” I might stick to the company for that amount.” '

“ You’ve practised it long enough, I reckon, to do it mighty slick and clean, but I’ll help you out by payin’ it myself, bein’ as I lia/e'a quarter over; wonder if the queer thing is lead.”

As if seized with a sadden suspicion, he bit the edge of thej coin, and then flung’ it on the floor. The hardness and ring- were satisfactory, and he deliberately pushed it | into his wallet, drew* in his breath, so as to make room behind the strap encircling' his'body, and shoved the wallet down his trousers to the bottoin of his pocket, which appeared to'beinthe neighbourhood of his knee. ; “ I’m thinking’ he added in the same husky voice, as he [leered at the waggish agent, “ of investin’ in stock ; have ye any advice to give a specylator ?” j

“ Don’t go into Wall Street unless you can form a combine with some of the big fish ; if you’ll do that you may be able tosqueezethe market, and if you don’t those sly fellows will squeeze you, and your thousands will go up in smoke. Are you a bull or bear

“ Wal, just now I feel bully,' ’cause I’ve had a square meal, but if I had’t struck it purty rich I’d’ve been bare by this time. The remark I Avar goin’ to remark were to the effect

The manner of the ticket agent changed like a flash. The door had opened, and a gentleman approached.

“ Stand out of the way!” commanded the young man to the astonished tramp ; “ the place for you is outside. G-ood morning. Judge.”

The tramp turned slowly around and Iflinked unsteadily at the individual, who stepped briskly forward; He muttered something - unintelligible and" then slouched through the door to the platform. Judge Hollywood, because of his official position, travelled free, and had stepped Avithin to ask whether the up train was on time. “ I believe it is, Judge,” politely replied the agent. “It left Tanboro at nine, and I have heard nothing of it since; I Avoukl Imam been notified if there Avas any delay.” “Thank you,” returned the judge, taking out his watch and comparing it with the timepiece against the Avail; “ it is about time for it—ah, that sounds like it.”

“ That’s it, sure enough,” remarked the agent, stepping outside his cablike apartment and locking’ the door preparatory to going out on the platform to hand a big envelope to the conductor.

“ I think it’s best to lockup things when tramps are about,” observed the dapper ticket seller, with a smile, as he followed the judge out of doors. “ It’s a good practice at all times, wdiether or not anyone is about,” returned the judge, who took out a cigar and held it unlighted in his mouth ; that’s a miserable, specimen, of the genus, isn’t it F” he added in a lower voice, as he looked at the fellow standing at the other end of the platform ; has he a ticket p”

“ Yes ; he paid for it and has a quarter oh ange ’ “And probably more stowed away among- his rags ; those chaps seem to be like, the Indians out west, whom no legislation can suppress ox change into respectable citizens. I never refuse them food when they apply at my door.” “ Through fear that if you do, they will come back in the night and set fire to your house ?” “JSTot always that; there are some unfortxinate beings among- them who deserve sympathy ; misfortune or sorrow has made them wanderers on the face of the earth, and, if able to work, their grief will not allow them to rest. I would rather feed a score of frauds than run the risk of turning away one worthy applicant for help.” Just then the white puffs of steam bulged to sight over the treetops down the road, and the next moment the locomotive burst into view, leaning inward as it came round the curve with its train, and thundered up the short track at a speed which it seemed must carry it far beyond Clayton before it could stop. But the engineer well knew his business, and the iron horse, under the trained curb, slowed rapidly down, halting just beyond the platform, with the cars strung along in the most convenient position fox- passengers gettiixg on or off. The judg-e politely bade the ticket seller good morning, and hurried forward to the smoker, where he took the first vacant seat and lit his cigar.. The tramp was shambling after him, when the brakeman caught his arm.

” Have you a ticket ?” Before the confused fellow seemed to comprehend matters, the .agent called out, from down the platform ; “ He’s all right, Billy ; give him a reserved seat with fixings, but keep your hand on your pocket.”

“ Whaz ze matter ?” mumbled the tramp, standing where he had halted on the platform of the car, with his hand on the knob.

“ Nothing, sonny ; go in, you’re the owner of this train.”

“ I don’t mind ownin’ the old train, but, if you want to sell out, you’ve got to go mighty cheap, or I won’t buy you,” growled the fellow, lunging through the door, and stumbling into a seat directly behind Judge Hollywood, who, puffing slowly at his cigar, looked out of the window on his right, absorbed in thought, and forgetful of the tramp and the temporary interest he had felt in him. The pest of society secured a seat by himself, and he was quite sure of keeping it, for though the travel that morning up-the road might develop considerably, almost anyone would prefer to stand rather than share a place with him. —r~ — Being of the same opinion, he swung himself out and distributed his person,so as to occupy the whole of the cushion, and, laying his head against the window, closed his eyes for a nap. He had not yet entered the land of Nod, when the conductor punched him sharply on the shoulder and demanded his ticket.

“ Be livelj', o]d man,” lie added, as the passenger began fumbling through his garments ; “ don’t try any dodge on me, or off the train you go.” I’ve got it some’ars ‘ bout ray clothin’.” muttered the fellow, discovering it just in time to save the patience of the official, who duly punched and returned it to him. Then he nodded pleasantly to his distinguished passenger and attended to the others. The judge looked over his shoulder at the repulsive man, and resumed his gaze out of the

window. Two stations were reached and passed, and when the engine began slowing up for the third, McVeyville, twelve miles from Clayton, the judge roused himself, and show r ed by his action that it was there that he meant to leave the train.

Although the tramp had bought a ticket for a point considerably beyond, ho seemed to have made a mistake, and to have squandered the moiety of his fortune, for when Judge Hol[ywood stepped off the car, he did the same

CHAPTER VIII. llv THE WOODS. McVeyyille was a hamlet numbering but half a dozen bouses, at wbicb the trains stopped only on signal. The conductor knew where Judge Hollywood wished to go, for he had taken him hither a number of times and held up for him to get off. The halt was barely long enough for the two passengers to disembark, no attention being paid to the tramp. The latter, in truth was so late in g'etting off that the car was in motion, and he swung halfway round from its momentum. “ Whaz ze matter with ye?” he growled, looking savagely at the train as if he meditated striking* it. Then with brightening* interest, he stared at the little station and the surroundings- “ This isn’t right ?” he exclaimed, with more energy than he had yet shown ; “ this ain’t Hartville ; somethin’s wrong ; thar’s a screw loose; I say, hoi’ on ! Come back !” and he beckoned frantically to the grinning rear brakeman, who tauntingly motioned him to approach.

“ Thaz an outrage on ’Merican zit-zen,” he muttered, shaking his fist at the rapidly receding- official; “ I”ll send in a complaint to the President of the United States tomorror and have you hanged for bigamy.”

Meanwhile Judge Hollywood had gone down the steps at the end of the platform, and entered the single village store. The tramp did not seem to notice him, but he knew where he had gone, and rightly divined hispurpose. A few minutes later he emerged, accompanied by the country merchant, who remarked :

“ I’ll have the team ready right off, Judge; it looked so stormy that I hardly thought you’d come up today.” The man walked hack to his stable, the Judge following, and, a few minutes later, the official drove through the gate, turned the head of his grey horse up the road, which led across the track, and started him off at a moderate trot.

The tramp stood a brief while on the platform, looking round as .if meditating a, foray on the villagers. True, he had enjoyed an ample meal that morning, but his species, like the lupus, is always hungry ; but evidently he did not consider the outlook unfavourable, and concluded that the open country was most promising. So he shuffled along the the platform,'passed down the steps, and moved at his slouching gait in the direction taken by Judge Hollywood a short time before.

The road from McYeyville turned to the left immediately after crossing the railway, running’ parallel with the lattei throughout its extent. A b varying distances branches turned to the right and left, connecting in endless succession with other roads.

low the question which interested the tramp was as to where the judge was going on this wet morning ? He might have learned by asking the storekeeper of whom he hired the rig, hut, for reasons satisfactory to himself, he did not do so, and it looked as if he would have to proceed by guesswork, with all the chances against him ; for he could not hope to equal the pace of the grey horse, that splashed through the mud and water at a rate which carried him beyond sight before the tramp was an eighth of a mile from McVeyville. The follower, howevei’, possessed one or two important advantages; there was little travel in this section, and the recent rain had washed the roads to that extent that the track of the horse and carriage was easily seen. Unless "joined by Other fresh tracks it could be traced’ for an indefinite distance.

“ He didn’t turn off here,” remarked Hie pursuer, on reaching the first hranch, “but has kept right on. I hope he hasn’t many miles to go, and it isn’t likely he has, or he would have ridden further in the cars.”

The misty rain, which had been falling fitfully all the morning, now became a cold drizzle, which rendered the situation of the tramp uncomfortable to a degree. His shabby clothing and worn-out shoes afforded scant protection to the moisture, which soon penetrated to the skin, from his head to his feet. Despite the care with which he picked his way he was forced in many places to splash through water ankle deep, and in others he sank still deeper in mud, but he never faltered or thought of turning back. “ Confound it,” he muttered, as he caught sight of a farm waggon lumbering toward him, with the mules on a trot; “ I hope there won’t be many more of them, or they’ll play the mischief with the tracks of the judge’s carriage.”

The ramshackle of a waggon made as much racket as several old-fash-ioned threshing machines. The young negro, who was standing up and driving, -whacked the-long-eared team when they showed a disposition to drop into a walk, which they often did, with such suddenness that he narrowly missed pitching forward on their haunches.

The dusky fellow had a huge dog crouching beside him, and the animal, on catching sight of the tramp, was eager to jump out and cultivate a closer acquaintance with him. The lad would not have objected had not the fellow called warningly ; “ If that dog touches me I’ll shoot him !”

He accompanied the words with a display of his revolver, whereupon the negro shifted the reins to his left hand, and seizing the collar of the canine with his right, held him fast, by dint of tugging, until the danger was passed.

At the next crossing it was seen that the grey horse had turned to the right. The mule team hadjjcome from some point further up the, main road, so that once more the trail was fresh and unmistakable. “ This is going to take-. me info a wild region,” reflected the tramp, “ where I have never been before.”

The country showed a gradually ascending plain for a mile, when a rocky ridge rose beyond to a height of five or six hundred feet, sufficient, in that section, to earn the name of mountain. This, with most of the intervening territory, was covered with timber and sparsely The road upon which; the lonely wanderer entered was rarely travelled, and wound in and out of the woods in the most unreasonable fashion, until the base of the mountain was reached, when the ascent became so corkscrew in conformation that fully a mile was passed before the crest could be reached.

“ What the mischief brings Judge Hollywood here ?” asked the tramp, who, seeing that he had a plain trail before him, began to speculate over the problem on which he was engaged. “ I have been watching him as well as I could, but he is suspicious, and it took me a good while before [’learned that his periodical trips were to McYeyville. As he never bought a ticket, and is nob given to telling people about his personal affairs, it was no easy task to learn what I wished. I bad to take a trip up the road myself the other day to find out. Being in my propria persona, it would not have done forme to get off at the same station, so I went on to Hannibal on urgent business, and I am glad I missed the j udge on ray return. “ I’m doubtful whether I threw tire doctor off the track the other night; he wouldn’t hesitate at anything short of crime to aid the judge, and it won’t do for me to count on bis belp until it is established that it is not the third but & fourth man we’re after. The drizzlingrain with the appearance of keeping it up for twenty-four hours, but the tramp plodded forward, escaping a part of it now and then by walking among the trees, though, as the leaves were rapidly falling, this was not always of avail.

“ Ugh ! ” he growled, “ I’ve been in some bad places in my life, but I don’t recall any that was more uncomfortable than this. Every step I take the water in my shoes seemo to squish up to my ears, but I’m so wet that I can’t get any wetter, and its just as well to keep on as to stop or turn back. Hallo ! there’s a house.”

A small frame shanty stood at the left of the highway among the trees. Ho persons were visible, but the smoke, issuing from a stovepipe thrust through one end, proved that people were inside.

“ I wonder what they would do if I stopped there,” mused Walmsley, with a grim smile. “ Folks around these parts are not partial to tramps, and they would set a dog on me if they are poor enough to own one, and if they aren’t, they would kick me out, and I don’t blame them. I can’t afford to go to slaughtering canines, for that will get me into trouble, but I’ll shoot before I’ll let them bite me.” He concluded there was nothing to gain by stopping, and he saw no evidence that he had attracted attention, as he looked back, just before disappearing around a bend of the road among the trees. A glance.at the ground showed the tracks of the grey horse and carriage, and he pushed on, wet, bedraggled, and miserable, but buoyed up by the belief that he was approaching the solution of the greatest mystery that ever confronted him.

The walking was not only as bad as bad can be, but the labour grew more trying the further he advanced. The ground became more inclined until, when the ascent of the mountain was begun, Detective Walmsley, with his half century of years bearing him down, was obliged to stop now and then to gain a breathing spell. “ If I had only dared to hire a horse and carriage and put on comfortable

clothes I might have saved myself all this, but that would have been at the expense of success. I wonder where the mischief I shall spend the night. It begins to look as if I won’t be able to take the train home, and I shall have to crawl in somewhere. Maybe I can find a hollow log or some poor farmer kind enough to let me sleep among his cattle. Well, by gracious, that beats everything ! ” The detective had been walking a long* way, rapt in reverie, when he looked down for the tracks of the grev horse and carriage. He did not see them. They were missing. He had lost the trail. (to be continued.)