The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1902-11-16

ficials had reached there on the train
1t was late in the afternoon. Duck
worth had counted on this. He had at
least secured a good start.
Now, what the devil" unused Duck
worth, as he sped along-he had a good
horse-"did that fellow want with a
sfx-shooter in a peaceful community
like this-and what was he riding like
the devil for, wonder?"
AS soon as he felt his composure full
ly restored he started in on an explor-
ing expedition. He began at the right
hand breast pocket. That's as far as
he ever got. And that was far enough.
Fifteen minutes later he replaced the
papers where he had found them.
Then he took his hat off and scratched
his head.
That's the place." he exclaimed
finally. ''I'll go where l am not ex-
pected rather than where | am. Say!"
he called to a passerby, the nearest
road to Donaldson"
First to the left" was the reply He
took it. When he reached the town he
made a few more inquiries and then
pulled up before a large place on the
corner of the street.
Mr.. Brannigan?" he asked. He was
admitted and ushered into a library.
His quick glance noted a push button
on the desk and a telephone on the
wall He felt in his trousers for a
knife, found it and cut one of the
wires running from each. He had just
time to resume his position
when large, portly man
entered the room. Duckworth had
miscalculated somewhat. He appar-
emily was expected.
MFR. Brannigan?" he again inquir-
ed. The president of the First Ma
tional?" The other nodded.
You're from Scarlet of New York;"
he said. Duckworth nodded in turn.
You have the proxies?" asked the
President. Duckworth smiled.
We're getting along a bit too fast"
he said. 81 have the proxies" he
continued, "but you're not the man
to whom l was commissioned to de-
The other man started back. WHO
to. then?" he asked. Duckworth
smiled again. ITO Bathgate of East
Donaldson" he returned quietly.
"Why-why," gasped the other man.
Scarlet procured them for me-"
Duckworth nodded. 81 know it," he
interposed. But the other man of
fered the bigger price. Read that"
He handed over to the other a letter
from the broker to Bathgate of East
Donaldson. The president read it,
turning more purple at every line.
THE scoundrel!" he burst out when
he finished. "Scarlett's been my
broker for twenty years-and to go
back on me like that-the dirty little
thief
HE got a good price" suggested
Duckworth in extenuation of the cir
| cumstances, i'seventy-five thousand is
worth considering"
''I was to pay him fifty!" roared the
other man, "he's sold me for twenty
five thousand dollars-me, his best
| friend. L"
Duckworth raised his hand. You
| forget" he said, in soothing tone of
voice, that 1 have the proxies with
| me. All is not yet lost"
The other man claimed down at once.
Let me see them," he demanded,
holding out his hand. But Duckworth
shook his head.
"Tn do the holding, and you can
| look on" he returned warily. They're
| the real thing, you see, he observed
| when the other man had finished.
"You will need them at IL O'Clock
to-day" he continued blandly. tits q
| pity that they should go to Bath
| gate" he added, buttoning them up in
| his coat.
| Brannigan said nothing. He was do
| ing a lot of thinking. Finally he press
ed the button on his desk. Then he
| stepped to the telephone. Give me
| 81" he said.
| Duckworth seized the telephone book
| 1t was as he supposed. The presiden
/ was asking for the number of the po
lice department OF the town.
There was no response to the bell
and none from central. Brannigan
| with his eye on the door, his ear to the
| phone, impatiently waited. Duckwortt
| smiled again.
WELL" he said finally. I'm off-tc
| Bathgate."
you stay where you are" retorted
| the other, firmly, chose proxies be-
| long to me and I'm going to have
| them" He started for the door.
"Mr. Brannigan." continued Duck
worth in a mild tone. as he slowly
pulled out the messengers shooter,
at the sight of which the other man
fell back into his chair, 'let us adjust
this ma tier. I am an honest man.
Scarlet has betrayed you. 1 under
stand that perfectly. Scarlet employs
me to deliver these, not to you, but to
Bathgate. On the way down l made
myself familiar with the correspond
ence. 1 say am honest. am too hon
est to disregard Scarlett's injunction
on the one hand and I am too honest
to aid him in betraying you on the
OblCEs nut Tic OlJy odLC SOui DC AOA hiS
is the first one. / must go Bathgate."
The president thought again for a
few minutes. Couldn't you-?" he be-
gan. with meaning smile.
DuclSworth shook his head. You
know what would happen" he replied.
tits as much as my job is worth"
What would you say to a thou
sand?" queried the president.
Duckworth leaned over to him con-
hdentially. 'I'll tell you what I'll do.
Mr. Brannigan," he returned. make
1t seventy-five, and it's co.
"Seventy-five hundred?" ssked the
president
The other shook his head vigorously
once more. "Seventy-five thousand" he
said, gently, in the pleasant tone Of
voice that had played such havoc with
the two old ladies.
"Seventy-ftve thousand-never,"
yelled the other man. mot cent over
Ave"
The convict rose and looked at the