Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1902-11-22
CHAPTER XI.


one of slumbcring volcanoes, while the
glare of others blinded the workmcn.
Scores Of workmen were stirring the
depths of the pudding furnaces. Work
men here and there moppcd their races,
bare arms and shoulders.
The great rolls, glistening In the light
OF the furnaces, revolved continuously as
the finishcrs tossed the hot bars between
them, to be snapped up ana wnirled
writing through them like enormous rep
tiles In their death agony. The clang of
iron falling on the cooling plates. the
shouts Of the workmcn. and the roar of
the titan-likc machinery filed the air as
the mill took In pig metal, weighed. broke
and melted 1t, boiled II in the furnaces,
vomitcd the metal out in huge balls,
which were caught In the jaws OF the
"spueezers," squeezed into billcts, which
were reheated. and passed through great
and small rolls, and tossed out and
Strengthened on the cooling plates.
Mr.. Mceker had just driven into the
mill yard and fastened his horse. when
the new manager approached him.
what Is 1t, Gummitt"
II want to speak to you."
Come into the Office"
He led the way into his private room
and awaited the managers comn'ui,ca
ton In silence. Gummitt cleared his
throat.
ITS about Anterior. His furnace
''Sam," said the mill owner dryly, III
1t Is about AthertOn-nothing else-lnnkt
II as short as possible"
But Gummitt was a thck-headed and
bull-headcd man. He had conceived the
idea since they had made him manager
that he was q very valuable man. in
deed, and one the owners could not easily
dispense with, and he presumed upon this
to express an opinion when he ought to
have remained silent.
II must speak. Unless do. he'll think
he can do as he pleases. He Is cross this
morning. and refused to repair--that Is
be won't shut his furnace down to-day
and let me have 1t fixed"
why not wait till tomorrow
because I want to put my best foot
foremost, and get things in shape as soor
as possible. The furnace ought to b'
overhauled, but Anterior wants TO run
the week out, and let the bricklaycrs dc
It Saturday. It's sheer stubbornness, Mr.
Mccker, and bad example to permit"
10, wouldn't notice Anterior. ! have
a reason Of my own, Sam. Anything
elseT'
Eyes, but I'll wait until this gentlcma,
speaks to YOU"
This gentleman proved to be Mr.. Gr.pp
Mr.. Grips manner was always defer
entail to his superiors and bis equals
TO his interiors he was overbearing
tart, brusque, and often brutal. Now h
was as smooth as oil. He stepped for
ward, rubbing his hands. as the manager
turned to Mayberry, who looked curl
ously at Grip.
"Are you prepared to take that lot o.
old rails spoke Of, Mr.. MeekcrT
II am not sure"
"That's q fine lot Of tenants you lWv'
down there In the bottom" said one o.
Mr.. Meeker's partners suddenly. Th'
partner was sitting In corner reading ,
morning paper.
"Why2" demanded Meeker. turning
half round.
"When they have nothing else to do
they murder each other. Here's half ,
column In the paper about It. A yer!
mysterious affair II seems to be-"
Mayberry's eyes were fixed on Gripp'
face. Gnpp was as uncOncerned appnr
emily as though the news related who'll.
to the affairs OF another planet. Z
"They are not my tenants" said Meek
er. THAT was never my property. ]
belonged to one OF my brothers year
ago. Who was murdercd-and wher
was the crime committedT'
Again Mayberry's gaze was rivcted Of
Grips face.
I'm house crowded with rough 10
Of people-old offenders, some OF them
Brick-stands al0ne-three-story. =!
woman either suicided or was murderer
case q little mixed. The coroner's jur,
will determine It,"
II may conclude II settled, then, I sup
pose, Mr.. MeckerY' said Grip In his oil
est tone.
Zone minute, Grip. How Is that? !
woman murdered. Who Is sheY"
'Why. that's the most mysterious par
OF It. She seems to have had two o
three names-fne material for dim
novel In the account published."
"Any grounds for believing murdc
was committed"
Rather vague, should say. You cal
determine for yourself. Simply II chat
OF inferences."
"Well," said Mr.. Meekcr. with Il sisl
of relief, "l'm glad it's only Inference
I never can read-or hcar-of the murde
OF a woman, Grip, without wishing
could lay my hands on her murderer an
help to hang him on the spot"
"A very natural fecling--quite nat
ural," said Grip.
"Yes-l guess you may send the 10
over. Mayberry, make out check 70
the amount, and give II to Mr.. Gripp."
And then the mill owner turned to til
manager.
"What Is 1t, Gummitt?"
"I'll see you later in the day. ! mus
go into the mill now," the manager re
piled.
His face was very palc his voice sound
cd strange to Mayberry and the mill own
or. Mayberry wondered at the extra
ordinary change that had come over III
new manager. II it had been manifesto
by Grip, he could have understood II
but why the mill manager should betra
agitation was strange indeed.
Mayberry turned to his desk again
made out check for the amount du
Grip, and was In the act of handing tn
check to him when Grip said:
IL had better receipt for 1t first"
Mayberry was 50 preoccupied that h
had departed from his usual practice an
the universal custom. But the mannc
In which Grip reminded him Of the unin
territorial oversight angered him. He Wa
on the point of replying, when he recon
sidnral raturnad Grinn's lnnk with IN