The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1902-12-05
A TEST OF COURAGE.
BY JOHN H. RAFTERY.


and many a pink and pale blue envelope,
exhaling dainty perfumes, had found him in
his strange environments in South Ameri-
ca. He had been there but six months, and
his secretaries and assistants had found
out that the words New York or United
States" on anybody's card was certain to
win an audience from their new chief
Senior James Trefny of New York,
would wish that he may speak with you,
senor,' said the soft-voiced office boy in dull
Get Spanish accents.
Thank you, Emilio. Show the gentle
man in" said President Cheever, with
look OF pleased anticipation, though he
could not remember having ever met or
heard of the visitor.
The young man who came in was perfect
ly attired in well fitting hannels. In me
pale buff stock about his neck was a fine
gold scarf pin set with diamonds. Upon
his finger splendid solitaire sparkled in
heavy gold band. His hat was in his hand
and Mr.. Cheever noticed the sngularly
calm, unconscious beauty of his manly
head and face He was dark with the tar
of the sea, but his thick, fine hair was care
fully arranged, and his whole manner be-
tokened the patrician man of education,
travel, gentleness and courage. Cheeyer
liked his looks and showed his welcome in
a frank smile and hearty handshake. But
he had reasons to quickly change this most
favorable impression, for Mr. Trefny, of
New York, sitting calmly beside him and
speaking in measured, clear tones in which
there was not a suggestion of tremor,
said
MIR. Cheever, this walking stick is filled
with nitro cotton; if you move I'll explode
it. There, quite still, that will do. Nitro
cotton is the new explosive just adopted by
the German army, and is, as you probably
know, the most terrible medium of destruc-
ton ever perfected. 1t is ignited by fuse
of mercury. See, here in the handle of my
cane is the Illuminating cap. Don't look
round. III anyone comes in, say you will be
busy for half an hour. Thank you No, no!
Don't tap your foot against the velvet rug
1t annoys me.
There was knock at the door. Cheever
looked an inquiry at Trefny.
'.Say what | told you or not, as you
please" said the latter, quietly.
Not in for 80 minutes said Cheever.
Nov, to resume. | have here taking
from his inside pocket check, IAN ordinary
check on the Plaza bank, your rival, you
know. 1t is made payable to me, James
Trefny 1t is signed-let's see-oh, yes, it
is signed Homer o. Dunlevy, and calls for
$4,000 You see turning over the slip OF
paper, Il have indorsed it in form Now,
my business with you is this; you must call
clerk, tell him to fetch 81 81 900 bills, get
hardly tell you that my name, James Tref-
ny, is wholly mythical This cane, load
ed with instant death for all of us, is the
only argument l have See, my finger is
just above the disk. The first sign. word or
motion you make to betray me-down it
comes. Now get the money
Ramon, Ramon called the banker,
without moving. And to the suave clerk
for this check, and"
Il want all the large bills, thousand each
if possible interrupted "Trefny,' smiling
blandly.
The clerk disappeared bowling, came back
with the money, laid it before Cheever and
departed. Trefny reached across the table
picked up the money, counted it, placed it
in his inside pocket. waved his terrible cane
as in salute, and said:
'Thank you. l want but ten minutes to
catch my train. If you pursue me within
that time, III come back and wreck the
senior" And he was gone
OF course Cheever had sent messenger
to the police inside of two minutes They
held the train, but they couldn't find Tref-
ny, nor anybody like him. They searched
the town and about an hour later found the
robber slippered and at ease over his cigar
cite and high ball in his sumptuous room at
the Hotel del Orinoco. He was engaged in
ba n id
stall the approach of ten officers in time to
seize the awful cane which stood harmless
in remote corner while Trefny looked
calmly enough into the muzzles of six rifles
As none of his captors could speak English,
and only Cheever was there to complete
his Identification, a messenger was dis
patched for the magistrate, who presently
arrived to begin an inquiry. When the court
was thus installed and the prisoner put
under oath, this odd criminal explained
matters thus:
in the first place, gentlemen, especially
you. Mr.. Cheever put yourselves at ease
about that cane. It's quite harmless even
in my hands. It's a sword cane. That's
the worst can truthfully be SAID about it
Now, my name is Homer O. Dunlevy, of
New York, and l robbed the Banco del
Prado-don't laugh gentlemen-just to
test my personal courage
Cheever sneered and the magistrate put
his tongue in his cheek.
ooh, assure you, gentlemen See?"
holding up the letter he had begun. Il was
just in the act of writing letter OF ex-
PLANTATION to you, Mr.. Cheever, Il
You had better quit this foolishuc~ and,
if you are telling the truth, return the $780,
600 you stole"
II didn't steal it, should say Stealing
implies skulking, sneaking STEALTH so to
speak Besides, really needed the money
and intend to keep it,
Put on the manacles," ordered the mag
istrate, gathering courage after hestat-
ing glance at the walking stick.
But, | protest." cried Trefny. looking
quite panied as he saw the fierce ganceS of
Cheever. Il protest, Mr.. Cheever. Don't
you understands
Understand! The devil! OF course
don't understand anything but that you
forced me to pay You $4,000 on a worth
less"
Check" interrupted Trefny. or Dun
levy, as he claimed. why, my dear sir,
that check is as good as gold Have you
tried to cash it? OF course you haven't