The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1900-02-16
CHAPTER XXI.
CASH FOR THE STUDENTS SECRET.

Cash FOR II STUDENTS SECRET.
Coming out Of the room and into the
passage I met Percy, who was looking
for me.
GOOD heavens. Boris, what's the
matter ?" he said. "Have you seen a
ghostY
Come along here, Percy" said,
dragging him with me-, where's Bo.
rofskyT
I'm your study, smoking. Whyr
MAN alive" I murmured, "I've
caught a big fish, In half an hour l
may know all about father. OF course
may be disappointed, but l hope tot
"You are raving, Boris. What's up,
old mani" said Percy,
had said nothing before dinner about
my successful pursuit Of the student and
Of my brilliant fight Of genius In having
brought him along home with me, "for
inquiries. Indeed | had pretended
that | had failed to shadow him home,
being unwilling to tell my news until !
should have interviewed my rascal aft.
or his meal.
"No." | whispered. II am not raw.
ing, It 10 true, I've caught some one
who swears-of course he's a liar, they
all are, but this time, for certain rea.
sons | think he Is telling the truth
we'll, he swears that he knows all about
the mystery Of fathers disappearance,
and will sell me the secret for 5000
rubles,
"That's $780, interrupted Percy
Good heavens. man, why do you de-.
lay What's a half a thou to your
mother1 The secret is dirt cheap. con.
sidering what the secret Is, and how
much its possession by you may mean
to both your parentsl"
1.-THE brute wants a check down be.
fore he tells me anything" said.
cam l justified in giving 1t himY"
"Oh, hang itl Is he 40 very bie'
He's a Russian, liant he9 Percy laugh.
ed.
'What do you meant" l asked, In
some surprise HE isn't big at all, but
exceedingly litsle. Az for being a Rus.
sian, Of course he's that, Why do YOU
ask {"
"Why, man, don't you It ever
il you give him the check III, .1u Their
find that he has bluffed you all you
have to do IL to pinch his neck till he
disgorges again, and then kick him un.
til bedtime or Your next engagement
You don't risk anything, unless he has
a revolver. You'll have to look out for
that. of course. !"
"Oh, II he has a revolver 1t will be.
10 soaked that 1t won't 30 OFF,
laughed, and told Percy--only stipu.
lating that he would not alarm mother
by telling her Of my escape--all about
the students ducking and my own
"Great scissorsl" he exclaimed,
"You're a nice one to intrust with a
delicate piece OF shadowing, You shad,
owed him with a vengeance, 1t seems
to me you chased the rascal at full
sprint pretty well all through this end
Of the town and into IN Ice holer'
Which words Of Percy's pretty ac'
curately described what | did do, Then
! begged Percy TO watch the door Of my
prisoners room and the passage while !
went down to consult with Borofsky
and to fetch my checkbook and writing
materials
think ! never saw any nan quite
20 overpowered az Borofsk," when ] de-
tailed the whole OF the student episode,
beginning with the chase and ending
with the little rascal's statement OF
terms,
give Thousand ruhlesf Nonsense,
my good siri Wen have this secret tor
nothingr' exclaimed Rorofaky I'VE
have the fellow In the hollow Of OUT
hands, Don't you SEQ he In In terror OF
his lite from Andref For heavens sake,
my good man. since Providence has put
this trump card In your hand, play II
70 the best advsntagst II you'll excuse