ward toward the river. He was not angry now. His mind was in action. He had convinced

ad dropped, and which he had picked up, had writing similar to the messages he had received. He wou

terfuge? Had Kate Gilbert gone to Honduras to wa

! He was all right when we parted on the ship. Somebody said something t

emed frenzied in his eagerness to get Prale to leave New York. And Prale knew that it was not because of

be on guard continually. Down in Honduras he had won a reputation as a fighter, and a fight was a fight in any c

med to walking up and down the beach and looking at the water whenever he wanted to thin

er, at the craft plying back and forth, their lights flashing. He stepped upon a little dock and started walking its length. A

ing shielding him from the cold wind that came up from th

mistake was being made. He wished that he had forced George Lerton to tell him more, and he decided that he would do so if t

ibly some watchman was making the rounds. If he was discovered, he would say that

dock's edge in a furtive manner. There was not light enough for Prale to see his fea

e sky, looking down at the water. Prale imagined that he heard something like a sob, and gave closer attention. Then he saw

ght forward, and grasped the body

n't!" Prale

ng and striking. Sidney Prale hurled him backward, rushed, caught him up again in a bett

ou into the river myself!" Prale said. "Su

ght you w

of the

law to-to try to

"Well, I am not a cop. Trying t

her asked. "I'm d

would have been if I ha

with the cops! But I just found out that I'm clutterin' up the earth and don't amount to anything. I'm sick of half st

ally with your l

s,

s or re

t a

ur name?"

so long since I've used it, and I've used so many ot

sses the dark river, the deed you were about

od as any,

ar grievance against

particular," said Murk

drifter,

ckon

existen

't a man, woman or child in the world that gives a whoop wh

nd your proper place i

but maybe I ain't found it, as you say. I sure ain'

make a

d to know. "I ain't got anybody-I get lonesome lot

t. "I've got a million dollars, and, as far as I know

I wouldn't care whether I ha

told him. "I was sitting down here because I was lonesome, and because there are som

in the drink tog

it out?" aske

't get me anything. It just tires me out-that's a

fighter, or

r called me

ing to quit like a yellow dog!" Prale told him. "You were

and the devil-nobod

ve to keep up a continual fight to hold body and soul toge

kon I

ld are

five," s

ree years older. I'm almost as lonesome

ir

n, would you be loyal? Would you stand by me, h

try me-t

ad a million dollars. I have but one friend I can depend upon, and I have enem

sir; but I ain't

d be dead now, but for me. So y

t quite

a home and plenty to eat and a bit of money to spend. I'll expect you to be loyal. If I find that you are not-well, Murk, I got back yesterday from Central America. I got my m

afraid I'll double cross you

, if we strike a

win and nothin' to los

get off this dock. Pic

Prale's heels until they were on the street and beneath the

poorly nourished as he was, had muscles that could be depended on. Prale liked the look around

you like me?

good to

is Sidn

Mr.

d our little d

s,

en. Here is a c

o Fifth Avenue. Prale signaled a passing taxicab, and they got in. When the cab stopped,

, and which was not at all a bad fit. He was dressed in new clothing from the skin out. Pr

looked at himself in the

ured him. "Now, we'll go ho

e is

amed th

n if I ever stuck my nose in

my valet and bodyguard, and you're going up in the elevator with me. Kind

s,

anding, Murk. When we are alone, of course, you'll be a sort of pal. I never had a valet before and I cou

ha, Mr.

e go,

Prale registered Murk as his va

me rest. If you are inclined to throw me down, you'll find some money and jewelry in the top drawer of

afraid, sir-yo

said Sid

as dressed and sitting by the window. He drew Prale's bath withou

under your door, sir,"

is it,

per with writi

e enemy, I suppose

a man's sin alwa

it? Do you think I am a s

are if you

I'm making a collection of them," Prale said. He went back into the other room and continue

all I or

ou like, and tell them to m

le was dressed by the time the breakfast

ent around the suite, straightening things and trying to be of service. He looked

a knock a

s, Murk," Sid

lked across to the door and threw it open. Two men stood there. Murk flinched when he saw them. He did

in?" one of

s,

side, and one of them closed the door. Prale drop

y Prale?" one

a

der arrest,

your

your rights, perhaps, so you need

re off

wed thei

them replied. "We want to take a look

you tell me, first, why I am under

harged wit

Prale cried. "And what particular

murder of Mr. Rufus Sheple