Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1902-04-10

millions in the closing of the deal. It's
pouring money into this deal that has
put his own business where 1t is. He
must win now or 90 to total ruin"
We'll, what's going to stop himT
demanded Neale eagerly. Where do
We come in?"
Hes rounded them all up except
the Holbein Manufacturing company
of Newark" said Blair. Without that
company in, the thing breaks and AL
den goes to smash. But on the day
when he sent that note to Miss Miller,
on the day when she was stabbed, AL
den got verbal agreement with the
president of the Holbein company
which practically clinched the thing 1t
clinched it except for just one chance
there's an option out on the Holbein
business Some time ago combination
was made 10 buy the works, and le-
gal option was taken. The price is
100000, of which one-third must be
paid in cash fc lr days from this pres
ent date or the option is forfeited. 1t
will be forfeited. John Y. Bowen, the
banker. who was ct the head of the
combination, has died, and the whole
thing has fallen through. The option
is in the hands of Bowen's son, who
has been irving 70 push the thing
along. but has now dropped it. We
must buy that option"
"Why doesn't Alden buy itf"
"He is making gamble. II the op-
ton lapses. he can get the concern for
half million. The Holbein people
know nothing of the trust scheme.
They think Alden merely represents
capital seeking an investment. They
are all old men In the company and
willing to sell cut. But If new capital
and new men get hold of the concern
II can be forced into Alden's trust on a
valuation of clean million, and there's
a profit of 100000 for u.s."
Neale twisted a newspaper into rags
with his gigantic hands.
"This thing needs investigating" he
said. "and there isn't much time"
eInvestigatingf echoed Blair. "lf
old Duncan Maclane says IT'S all right
do you suppose there's any doubt about
it?"
"Why doesn't he buy inY queried
Neale and then answered his own ques-
ton. Il see. He can't. He's got 1t
confidential from Alden. 1t wouldn't
do for him to show un with the proper
ty. But you're talking big money. and
we mustn't go too fast"
Don't you see," said Blair, speaking
slowly. but in voice thick with ex-
| citement, that all we've got to do is
| to buy the option? Show uD with that
on The day before 1t expires, and you'll
never have to put up the 100000 or
purchase money. You'll only have to
prove that you can. Alden will have to
settle at your own figures. If he does
not. his game is up. By heavens, we
| can take more than half the profits Of
this transaction right out of his hands"
"But where'll Alden get the money to
settle with us?" demanded the captain
"We can't take no promises"
"That option closes the DEAL" said
Blair with the deal closed, Alden
can command all the money he wants,
| for the thing will go right into the
hands of trust company to be
financed"
Then why hasn't Alden bought the
option himself? You say it's gam
ble"-
Not altogether that. Young Bowen,
so Maclane said, hates Alden and has
suspicion of what's up. He has turned
down certain parties because he sus-
pected Alden was back of them. But
you can bring him to terms. All he'll
want to know is that you don't repre-
sent Alden"
IF it's old John Y. Bowen's son."
said Neale, with a smile, 81 reckon
can fetch him. I happen to have q
hitch or two there. He's a pretty live
iy boy"
'Then the thing is as good as DONE"
responded Blair.
Neale took o turn around the room.
"I'll go and see Bowen this after
noon," he said, land If this thing works
IN make Alden holler. Pm no friend
of his after that little affair the other
day This will cut that honeymoon
journey of his down a trifle, Pm think
ing, when little Elsie Miller gets we'll
By the way. Blair, you owe me thou
sand"
Blair took an enormous. ragged pock-
etbook from the inside of his waist
coat and paid the money. Then he re-
placed the wallet and showed Neale
the additional writing that he had put
into the blankbook. Above the part
Dership agreement was this:
For the purchase Of the Holbein Manufacturing
company and further operations information
furnished by A. G. d.
IL don't see how you happen TO be
poor" said Neale. regarding the other
genially.
Blair ground his hands together.
IT'S the start" he said. 1.-The cursed
money to make the first move. never
could get these ten talons on It."
There's something in that" rejoined
Neale II hope you've got safe place
for that book. | shouldn't care to have
1t printed In the newspapers after this
game is over. I've got pretty strong
)ull, but it won't stand everything"
Blair went back to the desk. which
was a heavy, old fashioned affair, and
locked up the book in one of the draw
ers.
"And now, nv friend" said Neale,
lone final word. If you play any games
with me, I'll do a trick with you that
will wind you up. | have 1t on the
quiet that this Miller girl Is going to
die. Now, I've been turning up little
evidence, making most of it myself out
of the raw goods, of course, and | can
make evidence that would hang man
for q murder committed before he was
born. How would you like TO have me
figure you out as the man that did this
deedf"
The breath went out of Blair's body
as if some one had struck him In the
region of his solar pleXus.
you're crazy" he gasped.
Neale laughed softly.
81 went through her trunk" he said,
"and got some notes that you wrote to |
her awhile ago 1t ISN'T generally |
known that you were so well acquaint- |
ed
Isn't yenerally known?" echoed |
Blair. why not? | lived in that house |
for awhile. Certainly | knew her and |
took her out to dinner a few times. |
But holy heavens, why should | want |
to kill herr"
Well said Neale, there's the mon
ey.'
Nonsense! You know where the |
money went, and YOU know who COM