Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-10-06
Copyright, 1900. by r. F. Fenno & Co.
CHAPTER III.

the same irreproachal:le fashion as
when I had seen him in the morning
good new clothes. we'll cut, a glossy
hat, a gardenia and the shiniest OF
shoes with big bows.
p "Well, now?' I asked as l offered
him q chair.
"It's this way" he replied. "My
people have calculated that you might
like to secure their services"
Zone moment, pray. Who and what
are your people?'
"Saraband & Sons. You have surely
heard of them-the great firm of pri-
vate detectives. l was with Allan Pin
kerton myself for years. and he reck-
oned was one Of his smartest pupils"
"What on earth should do with
private detective% cried, with great
laugh.
81 may venture to remind you that
you have just succeeded to vast for
tune. The heirship Of the McFaught
property must be worth several NIL
lions to you, and-and-so Sarabands
desired me to call"
"Is it part of a rich mans duty or
business to keep private detectiveY'
/ was still laughing, but found no re-
sponse on the portentOusly solemn face
of my visitor.
That's as may be. Captain Wood.
Some do and some don't. Those who
didn't have come to wish they had; 80
might YOU"
"And what would happen If were
80 foolish as to refuse the obliging Of
fer of your peopleP" asked smiling
ly.
Il beg of you to be serious. Mr.. Wood.
Take us or leave us, but employ some
one. Do not, for heavens sake. at
tempt to run alone"
He spoke with such evident earnest
ness and good faith that I began to
feel little uncomfortable.
do you imply that need protec-
ton, that ! am in any danger-any
personal danger-that unless am TAX
en- care Of shall fall victim to some
what shall l say-some plotT
"All that and more. I cannot at this
stage be more explicit in my warnings.
It would be giving away our business.
But there are ample grounds tor what
/ say. l indicated something Of the
sort of thing when l spoke to you this
morning. There are those who grudge
you your newly acquired fortune. who
deny your right to it-or even the tesla
tors right to it. They are ready to en-
ploy any means-secret. insidious. even
violent means-to wrest it from you.
Let me tell you. sir. that even now. at
this moment, you may be, believe you
are, In Imminent peril-you and your
life"
But this Is matter for the police"
l cried hotly, springing to my feet.
"Your police cannot help you In this.
1t Is too private and particular. and
they are of little good till after the
event. What you want Is prevention.
anticipation. You must meet guile
with guile. plot with counterplot. al
ways supposlng there is time"
"Where Is the hurry"
1--WE have reason to know that every
thing was planned some time since"
"Why. the news Is not a day old
yet"
'It has long been expected that the
McFaught millions would come to
England. but the name Of the real heir
was only disclosed week ago. Every
thing was ready, and the campaign
was to commence directly 1t was
known who should be attacked"
looked at this heavy featured. glow
speaking Yankee. wondering whether
he was In earnest or only thought me
a fool. l knew, Of course. that had
now become fair game for the black
mailers. and was inclined to imagine
that Mr. Snuyzer's solicitude was only
q transparent attempt to eXtort money.
"Ani what would 1t cost me to Sc
cure the good offices Of Messrs. Sara.
band G. Sons" | asked. seeking en-
lghtenment as to his probable de-
mandS.
"Our charges. sir, are no more than
out Of pocket expenses and @ small re-.
tanning fee. say five and twenty dollars
a week. After that a pro rata pre-
MUM. according to the risks"
"Risks? | do not quite understand"
'"The perils. sir. from which you are
saved. whether by I.emonition. guard
ianship or actual rescue. We have a
graduated scale. | shall be happy to
leave the 'skedoor with you. Here
are some Of the items: Divorce pro-
ceedings. either side: sequestration,
false charges. wounding. loss Of limb.
DEATH
Murder. in short? | still spoke in
q f1ippant tone. 'Wbat Is the rate Of
insurance against that"
His face did not relax. and he an
swered gravely:
"From 10000 up to any sum, accord
ing to the nearness of the risk"
"Well. | will think over your oblig-
ing offer. Possibly. If find | cannot
take care Of myself. may come to
you. For the present | shall trust to
Scotland Yard and my own endeavors.
"You are wrong, sir. entirely wrong.
believe that" said my visitor darkly
as he rose to take his leave. You are
in considerable danger. sir. and it will