Evening star., 1897-05-15

waiting 1 heard his clerks talk about a
drop in the wheat trust. and that there was
lot of 1t put upon the market. They SEEM
ed to think that something had happened,
and it was going down still further. Now,
l knew 1t was Jim'S pet scheme, and that
Phil had a lot of shares in it, too. SO just
slipped out and went to a brokers' and told
him to buy all he could of It, And, by
Jove! / was a little taken aback when
found what l was in for, for everybody
seemed to have unloaded. and / found
hadn't money enough to pay margins but
L Knew that Demorest Was mere. and reck-
oned on his seeing me through" He stop
ped and colored, but added hopefully: Il
reckon I'm safe. anyway. for just as the
thing was over those same clerks of Van
Loo's came bounding into the Office to buy
my hands and pay the margins"
And you?" said both men eagerly and in
a breath.
Barker stared at them and Redeemed and
paled by turrs. Il held on" he stammer-
ed. You see. boys
Both men had caught him by the arms
How much have you got?" they said,
shaking him, as if to precpitate the an
swer.
It's heap" said Barker. IT'S a ghast-
~ lot now 1 think of it. I'm afraid I'm in
for $4,000, If cent"
10 mis- infinite astonishment and delight
he was alternately hugged and tossed hack
ward and forward between the two men
quite in the fashion of the old days.
Breathiess but laughing. he at length
gasped out, What does it all mean?"
Tell him everything, Jim-everytbiny
| said Demorest quickly
Stacy briefly related the story of the forg-
cry. and then laid the letter and its copy
before him. But Barker only read the fore.
cry. i'
How could you. Stacy-one of the three
partners of Heavy Tree-be deceived? Don't
Phil" ' - 1911
But have you any idea who it is?" said
Stacy. 'aiu
Not me-" said Barker with widely OPEN
ed eyes. You see, it must be somebody
whom We are familiar with. | can't i'm.
agine such a scoundrel"
How did you know that Demorest had
stock? asked Stacy.
He told me in one of his letters and ad
Vlsed me 10 go into 1t. But just then Kitty
wanted money. think. and didn't 20 in I"
- remember it," struck in Demorest.
But surely II was no secret. My name
| would be on the transfer books for any one
to sea VIC
Not So said Stacy quickly. You were
| one OF the original shareholders; there was
no transfer. and the books az well nc tho
| shares of the company were in INV hands ;,
ana your clerks?' added Demorest
stacy was silent. After pause he asked ::
DID anybody ever see that letter, Barker?'
NO one but myself and Kitty
And would she be likely to talk Of ito,
| continued Stacy.
"Of course not. Why should she? Whom
coulu siie tdlk 10 I ct ne stopped sudden
ly. and then with his characteristic reaction
added with a laugh, why, no, ceftainly
rot"
of course, everybody knew that you had
bought the shares at Sacramento?"
Yes Why. you kr ow | told YOU the Van
LOO clerks came to me and wanted to take
! ii off my hands,
Yes. l remember; the Van Loo clerks;
| a grim smile. We'll. boys" he said. with
| sudden alacrity. I'm going to turn in. for
| by sun-up tomorrow / must be on nv Way
| 10 ca.cn the hrst train at the Divide for
| Frsco Wen hunt this thing down TO-
gether. for 1 reckon we're all concerned in
| It,, he added, looking at the others, land
| once more we're partners as in the old
| times. Let US even say that I've given Bar
| kers signal or password, he added with
| a laugh. and we'll stick together Barker
boy, he went on. srasping his younger
partners hand, your instinct has saved us
| this time: id if 1 don't sometimes think II
| better than any other mans sabe only" he
| dropped his voice slightly, II wish you had
| 1t In other things than finance. Phil. I've a
word to say to you alone before 1 go. 1
| may want you to follow me-
| But what can 1 do?" said Barker eager
| ly. You're not going to leave me out?'
| you've done quite enough for us, old
man, said Stacy. laying his hands on Bar
| kers shoulder. And 1t may be for us to
Do something for you. Trot off to bed now.
IKE good boy. III keep you posted when
| the time comes"
/ tuc ana 1eaVe-takinR
Barker with paternal familiarity from the
room, he closed the door and faced Demo-
| rest.
: He's the best fellow in the world" said
| Stacy quietly, .and has saved the stun
| tion, but We mustn't trust too much to tim
for the present. Not even seem to-"
| Nonsense, man. said Demorest impa-
| tiently. You're letting your prejudice 10
| TOO far do you mean to say that you sus-
| pect his wife,"
\ D his wife!'' said Stacy almost savage
| ly. Leave her out Of this. It's Van Loo
| that / suspect. 1t was Van Loo who I
| knew was behind it. who expected to profit
| by II. and now we have lost him."
| But how?" said Demorest astonish.d I'd.
| How? repeated Stacy impatiently You
! know what Barker said? Van Loo. either
through stupidity. fright. or the wish to get
| the lowest prices, was too late to buy ND
the market. If he had, we might have
| openly declared the forgery, and IL 1t was
! known that he or hfs friends had proff.ed
] by 1t. even IL we could not have proven his
actual completely, we could at least have
| made 1t too hot for him In California,
| But. said Stacy. looking intently at his
friend. do you know how the case stands
| now?'
| WELL" said Demorest a little uneas,,v
under his friends keen eyes, we've lost
/ stock" - '''e
| You think so? Well. let me tell you how
the cSse stands and the price we nav for
1 IT.. said Stacy deliberately as he folded his
| arms and gazed at Demorest You and i.
| vel known as old friends and former mart
Eers, Tor no apparent reason-for NE can
| NOT prove the forgery now--haye thrown
1 upon the market all our stock. with Tie
usuas effect Of depreciating H. Another old