Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-06-24

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,
would like to make q proposal to you,
inspector. You look like shrewd man.
How many policemen have you with
youP''
ST have four" answered Billy.
''There are five of you altogether,
then?"
Exactly"
'Now, inspector, am man of bust
ness, and, as you know, 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 a momentP''
'That is hardly regular" objected
the inspector.
81 know, know" answered the
banker, hurriedly; 'sbut 1 think can
make it worth your while to do what I
ask
"Rogers," said the inspector to the
policeman beside him, syou and Ben
ham just step out for a 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.
"If had happened" said Slider, mot
to have been at home when you came,
what would you have done?"
81 presume" answered the inspector,
ST would have tried to find out where
you were without arousing suspicion,
and if that could not be done / 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 a dangerous bust
ness" said Billy, quite honestly.
81 can make it worth your while to
run the risk" said Slider. 'tGive 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
men?''
"That would be seventeen thousand
in ALL" said the banker.
''Well," said Billy, suppose we make
it twenty thousand as a lump sum; or
rather, as you wish twenty-four hours,
think, as time is valuable in a case
like this, a Thousand an hour would not
be exorhitant. If you say twenty-four
thousand in gold, it's CO."
Sc eosJ -
banker.
ooh, very we'll them" replied Billy.
"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 ire
mendous."
"Yes, admit that said the banker,
with a 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,
land if one of them objected Of course
the game would be up. I shall not
take the risk even of mentioning it to
them for anything less than twenty
four, and if think any longer about it
shall raise the price to thirty"
''I agree to the twenty-four thousand
pounds" said the banker, hastily. ''Can
you make sure of your men-of their
silence?"
REASONABLY sure" answered Billy.
1.-THE only question is, can we have the
money in gold here and now?"
81 am not sure that can give you all
that amount in gold, but I think l
can" He consulted n poclzetbook he
had with him and added some figures
together. eyes, he said, 81 can do it,
every WE'LL" said Billy. sit 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 bags. and, taking down a pair OF
"You may weigh this, and you will find
it correct. There are five bags here
and they each contain five thousand
pounds"
"Open all of the bags" said Billy,
cautiously. The banker did so, and
Billy ran a handful of gold from each
of them through his fingers and found
everything correct.
HOW much does thousand welRh?'
he asked the banker, and, on receiving
his answer. placed one of the bags in
the scales.
''It is a pity to break bulk" said
Billy. II think we will call it e25, 200. -
every WELL" answered the banker
Suppose you call your men in. wish
to be sure that you will keep your part
of the compact"
The four men were speedily inside
the room, and their eyes opened as they
saw the glitter of the gold. The in
spector briefly detailed to them the
points of the bargain, while the banker
looked from man to man and listened
anxiously.
"You agree to this?" said Billy, anc
each of the men nodded.
You will have no further trouble
from us, Mr.. Slider" said Billy Haven,
politely, sat least for twenty-foul
hours
The banker drew deep breath of re