FOR FREEDOM'S SAKE

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 34, 9 February 1900, Page 4

FOR FREEDOM'S SAKE

By ASthcb Patebsok. g CHAPTER VI. —CmUiuued. J 1 " Sea now, let us be under no misunderstanding about this. I recollect more than I did last night, and have had time to put things together. Pig-11 gott came, because you sent him—is that not so? And it was you, not Piggott, who sent Laughlin's pistol through the window and dropped him bo quickly. These are facte, Mr Shappett, and facts we know are stubborn things. There is something else. I went on my tramp to get out of your way. I turned into Piggott's for the tomejreason. Now, I see my folly. While I remain in this country I will stay by you, and when I return to Boston, which will he as soon as I have pulled myself round, my friend shall know how much his introduction has been worth. I tell you, and I will not have you deny it, you have saved my .life." Mr. Shappett looked up sharply when he heanl these words and the expression in his eyes hardened in a curious way, though his lips continued to smile. „ " Wa'al, friend Robert. Hev it your own way. As for returning to Boston or anywhere else—you will not leave this house for a week at least. Here comes breakfast. To-night, if you ' have picked up any, I will mention one or two idees that have come into may head this last day or two. But they can wait. What you have to do is to get on your feet squarely. Then well see." Robert ate his breakfast with more relish than he could have expected. He dozed most of the day, and that night he slept well and was so far recovered the next day that he hobbled downstairs and rested in Shappett's pitlour. After supper that evening, Isaac unearthed some exceedingly choice cigars, and Robert guessed that a long conversation was in prospect. Shappett said nothing at first, but drew Robert on to describing the events of forty-eight hours ago. Robert, however, knew souithing of his host's ways by this time, and when his own narrative was finished broke in : " I want to know how you found out what was going on?" "We-el, you see most things that . happen in Sintone git around to me. The queer bit in this business is that , I was so much behind time. But I had trouble in hunting Piggott. The old fox had run himself to earth in a very cute manner - fearing lest he might be wanted —but I know all his holes, found him, roped him in, and the rest was easy. It was a squeak, thohgh, for you. But Elmore's where I happened to be located"— • Shappett paused here to manipulate his cigar " Elmore's, I say " —puft—" is a smart little step from town." Robert looked up; opened his mouth as if to apeak; shut it again, and frowned at the fire. A silence followed, broken at last by Robert. "Mr. Shappett, you sent me to Elmore's." " Pardon me, friend Holdenough—l should have reckoned by this time that yon knew my name was Isaac." " Isaac, then." "Thank you. You were saying?" " It was through you I went to Allen Elmore." ' That is so." " I want to know whether he, or any one, spoke of me to you." " Your name was mentioned." "In what way?" Isaac smiled. "Ahard question, Robert. There were four people theie. Mien, his wife, Miss Ruth, and Captain Howlett. My memory is very bad at remembering conversations, but, as far as I can recollect, all the folk spoke of yon, and each in a different way." Again Robert seemed about to auk a question; again he dropped his eyes and didn't. At leDgth he said with half a sigh: "Thank you. It don't matter anyway." 1 Another pause much longer than the last. Robert, leaning forward, resting his head on his hand, continued to frown more at the unoffending fire. Isaac, gently rocking himself to fro, in the laziest of lounging chairs, looked at Robert from under his drooping eyelids. It was he who spoke this time. "There were some words, after all, that night, which kind of stuck by me; but I don't know that they would be interesting h raring to you." ' " Whose were t.liev ?" 4** Captain Howlett's." " Robert smile I, or, to speak more correc.lv, showed his teeth. "Please tell me." " It'peared as if you ind the (,'aptair had been having some argument. Js that so ? Ah! I made no inquiries frjrn him, and you have not told inn, so I know nothing about that, Imt I guessed there must hev- been some erackers juinpin' round lively, fur what , he said to me was meant, I guess m earnest—bitter ea nest. *T**ll Sir.l Holdenough,' he says—i.e called vou an ugly name, but I never names—' tell him that I advise he should leave Kansas for Boston the first day he can get a coach east, or 1 e will find this country too hot to hold him.' He said a good deal more- but it all come to about that. He seemed terrible upset, and I thought, as I looked at his face, I'd rather not be Robert Holdenough unless he took your advice and left." Robert laughed. "What terrible news! Shall I ge to-night? Don't you think you may get into trouble for harbouring me." "I will stand tlian racket," was the quiet answer. " But what did you say to the Captain to make him rar' 60?" "Told him that I was au Abolitionist, and that the day would come when there were no slaves in the Union." "Ah! What else?' ' Nothing that I can remembar—no, nothing at all." (To be crmliu •'»(!.)

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