"
"And yet it was found in your room."
"Impossible!"
"It is true. That evidence alone might hang you."
"My soul! what does, what _can_ this mean?" groaned the young engineer,
sinking back to the rough blanket, weak as a rag under the revelation of
this strange man.
"It means that a plot exists for your destruction, and the elevation of
another," answered Hiram Shanks, slowly and with deliberation. "Doubtless
your journey last night was a part of the plot. I confess that some
things puzzle me, yet I am assured that your death is necessary to the
successful issue of a plot."
"I cannot understand it."
"Nor I, fully."
Then a short silence fell between the two men, during which the eyes of
Bordine examined the face of the queer little peddler keenly. At length
he said:
"Mr. Shanks, will you answer me a question?"
"A dozen, if you like."
"Only one?"
"Well?"
"Who are you?"
"Hiram Shanks."
"Yes, but you are no ordinary man."
"Why do you think that?"
"To look at you, one would think--"
Then the engineer came to a sudden pause, and seemed embarrassed.
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