The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-07-21

and, while l stay with you, my men
must have Q 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. II 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 shrewd man.
How many policemen have you with
youp"
"I have four" answered Billy.
There are five of you altogether,
them"
Exactly"
"Now, inspector, am man Of busi-
ness. and, as you know, . man of great
wealth. would like to have a few
words with you in private. Would you
kindly ask these officers TO step out of
the room for momentp"
THAT is hardly regular" objected
the inspector.
II know, know" answered the
banker, hurriedly; but I think can
make 1t worth your while to do what l
ask
Rogers" said the Inspector 10 the
policeman beside him, you and Ben
ham just step out for moment into
the hall and come at once IL you hear
me call"
Rogers and Benham saluted and
withdrew without word When the
door was closed Billy stood with his
back against it and Slider remained
standing near the FIRE
IF had happened said Slider, mot
TO have been at home when you came,
what would you have done?"
81 presume" answered the inspector,
II would have tried TO find out where
you were without arousing suspicion,
and II that could not be done would
have had to come some other time"
Precisely. Now, what will you take
in gold to 60 back to the station and
report that you have not been able TO
find meT'
THAT would be dangerous busi-
ness," said Billy, quite honestly.
II can mako il worth your while TO
.
start of twenty-four hours and that Is
all ask. Now. how muchs"
Billy hesitated and pondered for Q
moment What do you say he said
at last, TO Eve thousand for me and
three thousand apiece for each Of the
men?"
That would be seventeen thousand
in ALL" said the banker.
"well,n said Billy, suppose We make
II twenty thousand as lump sum; or
rather. as you wish twenty-four hours,
think. as time is vslusble In case
like this, thousand an hour would not
be exorbitant II you say twenty-four
thousand in gold, it's q go"
THAT is a large amount" said the
banker
''Oh, very well then," replied Billy.
1--WE have only to do our duty. You
are not absent; you are here The
amount is large, as you say, but you
must remember that the risk is tre-
mendous."
'Yes, admit that" said the banker,
with sigh; but you said you would
take twenty thousand or even seven
teen thousand a moment ago."
There are four men to square, be-
sides myself" answered the inspector,
and if one of them objected of course
the game would be up. / shall not
take the risk even of mentioning il 10
them for anything less than twenty
four, and il l think any longer about it
l shall raise the ice to thirty
II agree to the twenty-four thousand
pounds" said the banker, hastily. Can
you make sure of your men-of their
silence?"
Reasonably sure,r answered Billy.
THE only question is, can we heve the
money in gold here and nowP"
II am not sure that can give you all
that amount in gold, but I think I
can" He consulted pocketbook ne
had with him and added some figures
together. YES" he said, IT can do IT,"
VERY WELL" said Billy, 'It is = bar
gain"
Billie called his pals, and together
they accompanied the banker to an
other room that contained. . large safe,
which Slider opened. He took out sew.
eral bagA and, taking down . pair Of
scales from the top Of the safe, said:
''You may weigh this. and you will find
1t correct There are ave bags here
and they each contain Ave thousand
pounda"
"Open all Of the bags" said Billy,
cautiously. The banker did so, and
Billy ran handful Of gold from each
OF them through his fingers and found
everything correct
"How much does thousand weiRh7"
he asked the banker. and. on receiving
his answer. placed one Of the bags In
the scAlea
ut is pity 70 break bulk" said
Billy. Il think we will call It ess, 900. I"
Every WE'LL" answered the banker.
Suppose you call your mon ia wish
70 be sure that you will keep your part
of the compact"
The four men were speedily inside
the room, and their eyes opened rs they
saw the glitter Of the gold. Tho in
spector briefly detailed to them the