The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-09-04
CHAPTER XVIII.
JUST A COMMON STEAL

JUST A COMMON STEAL.
The minute hand of the clock held aloft
by Mercury on the mantel had not passed
over much more than quarter of a circle
before Shacklett came in, with a knock that
apparently was merely to announce his ar
rival rather than to ask admission. He felt
at home in that room in the Leland Six
months before he had waited for the
swer to his knock before walking in, but
for the last three weeks he had entered
that door at all times of the day and night
He knew where the cigars were kept when
the box on the table was empty. He knew
which of the two chairs on the side opposite
the CRATE and away from the window was
the more comfortable. When he came up
the elevator he never gave the number of
the room to the boy. but merely said. Par
lor floor" Once when he left the elevator
Senator Cunningham was in the act of
leaving this room, and Shacklett walked
down the corridor in the opposite direction
with an expression of interested amusement
on his face and a mental note for future
use.
Good morning" he said, impersonally,
as he laid his hat and cane on the bed.
'.Hows the game going now? Got 'em all
in hand, or have you dropped the cards?
1t looks UP at the Country Club like old
Laney's going to give you fight for your
money. Just passed him on the street, and
he talked about you without swearing.
Sure you've got EN- stacked to beat him."
And Shacklett smiled that smile which his
friends seldom saw and his enemies knew
only too well meant either a royal flush or
else a game of bluff nothing. 1t was
pleasant smile unless one noticed the eyes;
they glittered in way which meant that
the prey was In sight.
1--WE need two more; can you get 'em?"
came from Cantwell like an order from the
quarter deck, and yet with faint tinge of
appeal in the tone.
Don't know. How bad 20 you want
| 'em?" And Shacklett stepped up to the
mirror to give his hair that characteristic
stroke with his fingers.
Can you get them for three thousand
apiece?' said Cantwell.
Shacklett turned around took a cigar,
turned that same smile upon both men like
| a sweeping searchlight, lighted the cigar,
and reached for his hat and cane.
at thought you wanted to see me-" he
| remarked in the most oily of tones: It'll
| go over to the Senate and see the vote"
What do you want?" Baird exclaimed.
But Cantwen merely reached for the ash
receiver and said: "Can you get two more,
| is what want to know
81 can't promise; you know I've got some
pretty leary ones now and made them
right It's a long shot, and / can't tell
what can do. II you must have them I'll
try; and ! can get them If anybody can,
| guess you know. How hard shall try?"
Cantwelrs voice had a vibrant ring as he
/ played his very last card in the words:
I'm give you $4,000 for two more votes;
/ two none. you understand"
'I can't promise you anything, gentle
| men," said Shacklett; "I don't know wheth-
| err I can get them or not. Give me the
money in centuries, and I'll either deliver
| the votes at roll call return it to you
| this evening You know it's big contract,
| and it's uncertain. You've stirred up such
| a hullabaloo that it's worth mans life
| TO even dream about your bill. You ought
| 10 have got down here with your money a
month sooner. And you ought TO have let
| Lee of Lawrence. alone: he's making more
noise than all your Chicago papers even.
The members from Egypt wouldn't dare TO
| vote for a bill 10 allow Chicago to move TO
Edwards county now. IL one OF them was
| in the chair and recognized Chicago man
on a point or order he couldn't be elected
school director at home If he was the only
man in the district that could read and
write. Every farmer knows this bill is a
| plain old Chicago steal, and you've got to
| simply ask a man to ruin himself for so
much a ruin. But I'll see II can find one
willing to be ruined between now and 2
| o'clock" And Shacklett broadened his
| smile into a little laugh as he went out.
He walked rapidly 10 the elevator
dropped to the first floor. and only nodded
| to several senators In the lobby on his way
to the street. He was not planning ne
had done that while in Cantwels and
Baird's room, He wanted to get to the
statehouse in the shortest time. and he