The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1889-03-08
CHAPTER XVII
THE INTERVIEW.

"He bounced ye, did he, ch?' asked
Jack, with grin on his face.
"Yes." said Walter, al was dis
charged and ! certainly did not merit
it."
"Well, ole Miles must hcv got a
kinder suspiGion. ye know" said Jack.
"But it'll all come out fair in the end;
ye go TO Bushyille an look about ye
sharp there. Dress up in yer best an
call on Mr.. Smallwecd; may be yc kin
git place in the bank rs clerk; # yc
can't ye kin git near enough TO SEQ
how the doors ar hung, an the best
way to get in. The other boys 'ud
jist give the thing away cf they 'ud try
that part You ar the only one in the
band who could do it.
This was the course that Walter had
laid out for himself; yet with far DIFF
ferent design from that intended by
Jack Hawkins He bade Jack good
bye and trudged on to the village. The
heart of Walter Brownlicld was much
heavier than il was month ago, when
he came along this very road seeking
employment rs n farm hand. True,
then he was pcnnilcss and actually
suffering with hunger; but now an un-
known, indclinablc dread had seized
his heart. He passed several neigh
bors, who knew him, and such eXpres
sions as
"On the tramp again. ch?'
"Givin' the road "A lick, chp'
"What, runnIn' awayP'
Goodbye, Waltcr,' and n hum
dred others greeted his ears. His face
flushed, until it almost seemed on fire,
yet he restrained his temper To some
of the more sympathctic of his friends
he answered politely, informing them
that. for the present, he would sojourn
at the village.
The quaint little country town was
reached ut last, and, weary and heart
sore, Walter proceeded at once To the
small tavern, where he secured board
for week at two dollars and fiji"
cents. lie saw Jack Hawkins and
Bill Martin, who had evidently stepped
in To see if the new recruit was getting
in his work well They did not CON
verse with him, but he felt that their
eyes were constantly upon him. lie
shuddered as he noticed thp two vii
lains watching his every movement
Walter went TO the bank of Mr..
Smallwecd and stood about the door
for some time. The rullians supposed
that he was making an examination OF
the vault, with n view to aiding them
in the burglary.
Jack" said Bill.
"Well. whatP'
'.lIe's going to work like II trump"
"Makcs good star"
'You bet"
"lIistw
"What?' asked Bill.
"The constable is not far behind us. y
"Blast him, " said Bill, IL would like
TO give him one whack with my sling
shot"
"Hc keeps round like he has suspi-
cion o u.s..
mo, he amt; let's go up here and
watch Walt"
Walter had entered the bank build
ing, and they could not see him lie
intended To make them believe that hc
was doing their bidding, and yet to
avoid meeting them personally.
81 have evidently satisfied them that
am working in their interest said
Walter, rs he returned to the small,
miserable tavern, determined To- see
Mr.. Smallwced and convince him OF
his danger.
The next day was Sunday, and Ia
the afternoon Walter dressed himself
neatly, sporting little cane, which he
chanced to find, newly shaved and
with very much the air Of dandy
called on the banker ut his residence.
The afternoon was pleasant, aud Mr..
Smallwced, his wife and daughter were
sitting on the portico in front of the
house. AS Walter entered the front
gate in careless, uuconccrncd man
ner, the banker with bland smile on
his face, arose and walked down To
meet him.
"Good-day, SIR" said Mr.. Small
weed.
Good afternoon replied Walter,
with courteous bow.
Il presume, young man, YOU wished
to see meP' said the banker.
Il do. Mr. Smallwccd, and on
matter of the most vital Importance So
you,n said Walter. IL would not have
come TO see YOU on the sabbath day,
had it been any matter which | could
have deferred"
"What is it?' asked Mr. Smalwcc3.
the broad smile disappearing from lbs
face as he observed the terrible ear
nestncss in the countcnanCc of his vis-
itor.
IL must speak TO YOU alone. where
no living mortal can hear what | say,
or even see our features while we con-
verse;
''Come, then, to my private room;
there we will be safe from intrusion. "
The banker led the way and Wal
ter followed. When they were in the
room Mr.. Smallwccd locked the door
and again asked:
"What is it?'
"You are in danger, Mr.. Small.
weed"
.'Of whomp of what?'
"Of burglars and murl,rcrS,' said
Walter. "Now do not start or be
alarmed at what I am about 10 tell
you, but there is deliberate plan ON
foot to rob and murder YOU on next
Wednesday night The Same men
who attacked and came SO near muir
dering the unfortunate Californian
know that his gold is locked up in your
vaults"
GLOW do YOU know they know it?"
because i am one of them, re-
marked Walter, coolly.
What" shrieked the banker, start
ing up in alarm.
''Do not be frightened. Mr.. Small
weed, but listen 90 me patiently. | am