Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-12-11

yourself to be Mir. Rayiey, managing
director of that south American
Mining company? I can now quite
understand your motive. You want
ed to get me out of the way in or
der TINT I might not hunt you? Is
that not so?"
you hit the nail upon the head
exactly. But you were virtuous, and
would not swallow the bait. 1t would
have simplifcd matters from my
point of view il you had. I should
not have been compelled to waste my
money upon those two roughs, nor
would you have spent an exceedingly
uncomfortable quarter OF an hour in
that doorway in Holywell street
This was news indeed. So he had
been aware Of my presence there? 1
put the question to him.
"Ohl Yesl l knew you were there"
he said with a laugh. And I can tell
you did not like the situation one
bit. AS matter OF fact, l found
that II required all my nerve to pre-
tend that l did not know it. Every
moment ! expected you to come out
and speak TO me. l can assure you
a disappointment to me. I had ex-
pected to see the men / had sent
after you, and instead I found you
yourself"
upon my word, Mr.. Hayle, if 7
cannot appreciate your actions, 7
must say I admire your candor. 7
can also add that in fairly long ex-
perience of-of--"
why not say criminals at once,
Mr.. Fairfax" he asked, with a
smile. 81 assure you I shall not be
offended. We have both our own
views on this question. and you, of
course, are entitled to air yourself
II 1t pleases you. You were about
90 observe that"
THAT in all my experience I had
never met anyone who could so calm
ly own to an attempt to murder a
fellowbeiug. But supposing we now
come to business"
with all my heart" he answered.
IT am as anxious as yourself to get
everything settled You will admit
that 1t is rather hard lines on a man
who can lay his hands upon a quar-
ter of million OF money to have a
gentleman like yourself upon his
trail. and. instead of being able to
enjoy himself, to be compelled to re-
main continually in hiding. l am an
individual who likes tc max. the
most of his life. I also enjoy the So
ciety OF my fellow-men."
May we not substitute 'woman?'"
] asked. II am afraid your quarter
Of million would not last very long
If you had much to do with Mile.
Beaumarais."
$50 you have heard OF her. have
you?" he answered. But you need
have no fear. Dog does not eat dog,
and that charming lady will not de-
spoil me of very much! Now to an
other matter What amount do you
think your clients would feel inclined
TO take in full settlement OF their
claim upon me?"
II cannot say" I answered. How
many of the gems have you realized
upon?"
There were 80 originally" ne said,
book, and 1 have sold so, which
leaves balance of 80, all of which
I've better than any I have yet dis
poseG of. VIII your clients be pre-
pared to accept $4,000, of course,
given without prejudice?'
"Your generosity amazes me-" I
answered My clients, your part
ners, are to take G25,ooO apiece,
while you get off scot-free, after
your treatment of them, with G &c.,
Ooo"
They may consider themselves
lucky TO get anything" he retorted.
Run your eye over the case, and see
how IT stands. You must know ae
we'll as ! do that they haven't leg
to stand upon. II I wanted to be
nasty, l should say Leu them prove
that they have right to the stones.
They can't call in the assistance OF
che law"
why not?"
because to get even with me il
would be necessary for then, to
make certain discriminating admis.
sions, and TO call certain evidence
that would entail caustic remarks
from learned judge, and would not
improbably lead to charge Of muir
der being preferred against them
No, Mr.. Fairfax, / know my owl
business, and, what is better, I know
theirs. If they like to take $4,000
and will retire into obscurity upon il
i will pay it to them, always through
you. But l won't see either of them
and ! won't pay a halfpenny NOR,
than I have offered"
You don't mean to tell me tina
you are in earnest?"
81 am quite in earnest" he IN
swered. II never was more so. vii
you place my offer before them, O
will you not?"
Il will write and also wire then
to-day" I said, But l think I know
exactly what they will say"
Point out the applicability Of IN
moral concerning the bird in tn
hand. II they don't take what the,
can get now. the time may com
when there may be nothing at all.
never was very patient man, and
can assure you most CONFIDENTIAL,
that I am about tired Of this game
But how am to know that thi
liz not another trick on your part