The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1893-07-14

gentleman. Don't be alarmed. Every
thing is all right had an appoint
ment with him, but forgot to mention
it to you"
The pale woman and her frightened |
children withdrew, and Slider stood
alone confronting Billy and his two
pals.
81 am sorry to say" began Billy, |
that have here a warrant for your
arrest All the entrances are guarded,
and, of course, you understand tho
utility of making any resistance"
"Quiteso; quite so" said Slider, huslz-
lily. 81 appreciate all that"
II have also a search warrant here;
and, while 1 stay with you, my men
must have look over the premises.
Do you wish me to read the warrants
to you?"
'It is not at all necessary" said
Slider, in an agitated voice. 81 have
no doubt they are quite correct. AS
for searching, have no power to pre-
vent that but, before you begin, I
would like to make proposal to you,
inspector. You look like a shrewd man.
How many policemen have you with
you?''
81 have four" answered Billy.
"There are five of you altogether,
thenq"
Exactly"
"Now, inspector, am man of bust
ness, and, as you know, a man of great
wealth. I would like to have few
words with you in private. Would you
Kindly ask these officers to step out Of
the room for moment?"
''That is hardly regular" objected
the inspector.
II know, I know" answered the
banker, hurriedly; "but I think can
make it worth your while to do what I
ask"
"Rogers," said the inspector to the
policeman beside him, ''you and Ben
ham just step out for moment into
the hall and come at once if you hear
me call"
Rogers and Benham saluted and
withdrew without a word When the
door was closed Billy stood with his
back against it and Slider remained
standing near the fire.
eff / had happened" said Slider, mot
70 have been at home when you came,
what would you have done?"
81 presume" answered the inspector,
'T would have tried to find out where
you were without arousing suspicion,
and if that could not be done 1 would
have had to come some other time"
Precisely. Now, what will you take
in gold to go back to the station and
report that you have not been able to
find me?''
"That would be dangerous bust
ness" said Billy, quite honestly.
Il can make it worth your while to
run the risk" said Slider. "Give me a
start of twenty-four hours and that is
all ask. Now, how much?"
Billy hesitated and pondered for a
moment. "What do you say" he said
at last, ''to five thousand for me and
three thousand apiece for each of the
menP"
''That would be seventeen Thousand
In all, said the banker.
"Well," said Billy, suppose we make
1t twenty thousand as lump sum; OF
rather, as you wish twenty-four hours
I think, as time is valuable in a case
like this, thousand an hour would moi
be exorbitant If you say twenty-fom
; thousand in gold, it's CO."
{ "That is large amount" said tn,
banker.
: sob, very well them" replied Billy
! eve have only to do our duty. Yol
; are not absent; you are here. TIL,
: amount is large as you say, but yol
: must remember that the risk is tire
3 mendous."
r ''Yes, 1 admit that" said the banker
=, with sigh; "but you said you woul,
S take twenty thousand or even seven
4 teen thousand moment ago"
r "There are four men to square, be
4 sides myself" answered the inspector
q land if one of them objected of cours
= the game would be up. l shall NO
OdhG blAS LlaA CNCl VI t4llOulQR IL Z
+ them for anything less than twenty
r four, and if think any longer about
d / shall raise the price to thirty"
It II agree to the twenty-four thousan
= pounds" said the banker, hastily. "Ca
e you make sure Of your men-of the
D slence9"
q Reasonably sure" answered Billy
. '"The only question is, can we have th
: money in gold here and now?"
81 am not sure that can give you a
y that amount in gold, but think
: can" He consulted q pocketbook
e had with him and added some figure
! together. eyes," he said, II can do it
Every well, said Billy, ut is ba
y > gain"
: Billie called his pals, and togeth,
~ they accompanied the banker to a
other room that contained a large SAT