The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-09-30

49, - eSSseeAS5A AAO
we'll skilled in his business to show the
slightest trace Of irritation, SO he re-
piled, with an easy smile and the most
perfect politeness Of tone:
"Ah, good evening, Mr.. Salterl l
was just talking about you. No, thanks
the department is not buying any dog
flesh just now, not even skins. AS to
your kind invitation-well, as say,
was talking about you just now when
you came in, and Perhaps
If ever man uttered fighting words
coolly and as if he meant them, In
spector Lipinski did just then. Seth
Saltef had never been known to take
anything like that from any man with
out prompt and usually fatal reprisals.
The crowd waited breathlessly and 81
lently scattered a little more. But, no;
the Yankees hand did not even move
toward his pistol pocket. There was
just little crinkling of the outer cor
ners of his eyes, noticed only by the in
spector and one or two others, but it
vanished Immediately, and there was
no trace of anger in his voice-in fact,
it seemed even more good humored than
usual-as he replied:
"Don't take the trouble to say it
again, boss. I've known your opinion
of me for a long time and now I've
heard it. If you'd backed down, you
might have heard somethin drop, but
as you didn't I'm free to say that I've
too much respect for your honorable de-
partment to think of removin its re-
spected chief to another and may be
less congenial sphere on account of an
honestly expressed opinion-not me,
sir! So, now, N. g. and name the poi
son. Will you join us, gentlemen?"
The crowd joined as one man, and
under the circumstances the inspector
could do nothing less than come in with
them, but for all that he felt trifle
puzzled, though he took care not to
show it.
After that the conversation became
general and perfectly amicable, albeit
dwelling mainly on the somewhat tic
klish subject which possessed the chief
interest for every one present, but as
drinks multiplied and lies got more COM
plicated the inspector began to grow
taciturn Liquor has that effect on some
natures, and his was possibly one Of
them.
At last the Yankee rallied him, quite
good humoredly, on his lack Of festivity,
but rather unfortunately, as it seemed
to the company, dragged in something
about shortage on mine returns That
was too much for the inspector, and his
long bottled up wrath suddenly flared
out.
Shortage, confound it! You're q
nice one to talk about shortage, Mr.
Salter. You know as we'll as do that
there's about e15,O0O short of the
months average on De Beers and KIM
berley returns, and you know big
sight better than do where the stones
have gone to. But We'll have you yet.
You re wide and YOU deep, but you re
not quite the cleverst man on earth,
and when we do get you"-
"Well, why'n thunder don't you,
boss?' the Yankee laughed, with still
undisturbed humor. Say, now, I'll
give you a pointer, as them sneaks OF
yours don't seem TO have got on to it
yet I'm goin across to Freetown some
time between now and Sunday on lit
tie private business of my own. S'pose,
now, I was takin that bit of shortage
with me, what'll you lay against me
gettin it through"
'"Ten years on the breakwater, +"
snapped the inspector as he emptied his
glass and set it down with a bang Oh
the counter.
"No, you DON'T" laughed salter.
"That's for me to lay. Now, look here,
I'll lay you ten years on the breakwatel
to 81, 000-that's only e10Oa year, and
think my times darned sight more
valuable than that, SO I'm givin you
big odds-that I'll take that little lot
through for all you can do to stop me. "
AS he spoke he suddenly pulled his
left hand out of his trousers pocket and
held it out to the inspector with the
palm full of rough diamonds
Lipinski fairly gaped at the heap OF
glittering stones, but he lost neither his
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