Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1899-10-07
TEMPTING.
But the nnrgular was Toe sqresil's4A

v J
DO it except for the fact that you have
the key to the secret safe in a
chamoiss skin belt around your waist.
Why. how in the world, gasPed
Mr.. Billions, did you ever-say, who
are you. anyway -
You viii pardon me, said his
midnight visitor, If l prefer 10 re-
main iHcog. 1t saves ne q great deal
Of annoyance You viii also pal don
and throw Oh the light. There. that
is better. You see, il Viii be neces-
sary for ycu to tumble aaCn@ The
bcc5cla9hes TO get that hey, and L
like to lie sure there is no tre.3cnery.'
'NslI. I'll be-looil here, what do
you want in here?"
S rather a waste of tine" said
the stranger, but it is early yet,
and / don't mind telling you- In the
hidden safe over the fireplace behind
the picture of Eve in the first spring
fashions are the Billions diamonds
that were brought from the bank to-
day and worn to the reception tonight
value, $3.50, eco; also some few thou
sands ready cash paid you III little
deal after banking hours
Don't mention it, said Mr.. Bill
lions as he secured the key and hand
ed it out, keeping his eye meantime
on the revolver. No inconvenience
whatever. But [ do wish you would
put up your pistol. Firearms always
make me nervous
with pleasure, said the polite
burglar. Just get up and seat your
self in this rocker. You are not sus-
cePtible to colds, are your
mo. And besides, it's very pleasant
in here" said Mr.. Billions, as he took
the preferred chair and his visitor
put up his gun. but l wouldn't mind
a glass OF wine if you Will kindly get
it from the table for me. Thank you.
Shall | FOUR one for you?'
mo, thank you. | never drink dur
ing business hours
Mr.. Billions noured the wine slowly
and drank it thoughtfully.
This viii be quite nice little
eh-stroke of business for you" he
said finally. do -er-operate
extensively -
No" said the burglar. 81 never
make any small ventures. ] have not
done anything now for two years ex-
&c, t mere practice work. The last
one was a 100000 transaction. Per-
haps you remember it,
..0Id Ponder's case?" said Mr. Bill
ions. with sudden CLEAN of appre-
c1atfon- Was that yours? But of
course not. The man was caught
and sent up for ten years"
Ges, he gets $1,000 a year and ex-
penses; no work, flowers, magazines,
cigars and wines and excellent ser
vice.
'-ohl" said Mr.. Billions as he once
more reiapsed into Q brown study,
out of which he was aroused by the
burglar.
i hate to intrnde business into a
social and friendly chat of this kind,
but l beg to observe that time is pass
ing. so if You win excuse me l Will at
tend to my duties
Look here" said Mr.. Billions sud-
denly. you are a man of abtnty.''
The burglar bowed his head in ac-
acknowledgement Of the comp iment.
you are in this business for
money"
Again the burglar bowed.
My dear sir, you are going to waste
simply going to waste Why, man
of Your genius ought to be where he
could have full swing. | would give
almost anything to have you in with
me. Now here. for instance, is the
toothpicll trust just forming, or the
drinking water trust, either one of
them Offering unparalleled advan-
tages for man of your capacity.
Eth? What do you think of it?,'
well" said the burglar. Il have of
ten thought of deserving my art for
the more lucrative fields of trade, but
1T has never come definite before
me as this
"Er-haye you any capital to in.
vest?'
Il tell you what I'll do. have
S250,000. III put it into the drinking
water trust if you and | together can
hold the controlling interest-that
is, if you are sure you can make it
opera tive
Capital said Mr.. Billions eagerly.
And ] shall be most delighted to
have man OF your nerve and finesse
at nay right hand. Where have you
got this money invested now?t
I'm diamonds said the burglar
calmly as he glanced at the picture
over the fireplace
~Oh. | sect" said Mr. Billions, with
slight frown and a lapse into
thoughtfulness. from which he emer-
sed with jerk and shake of the
head but you can't really convert
those diamonds into that much cash,
you know Say 100000.
",ail it two twenty-five and it's
bargain =
Two hundred or nothing
Two hundred and twenty-five. or
shall call it two fifty or nothing
Mr. Billions looked into the eyes that
showed over the top OF the mask ard
saw determination in their steely blue
depths.
Done he said
As they signed the papers Mr.
Billions Billions grew. more and
more pleased with his prize and he