Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1903-01-13
CHAPTER x,XIy.

There was something in Mrs. Coles
manner that impressed Mr. Gripp strong
iy.
What is she UP to .now?" he asked
himself when ne rcc&'lled her parting
words.
Gripp was, M to this time, as uncon
cerned as any man apparently. He went
his rounds. met all his appointments
was as methodical as dry, as correct in
his language and department as any man
who contemplated and carried out a great
crime successfully. 1t is your halfway
scoundrels who exhibit timidity, and leave
traces everywhere to the hand of the au
thoritieS.
There was q meaning in her words
Does she suspect anything?"
Then Mr.. Grip treasured himself
Pooh! Why. the laundering detectives
had not even struck the first clew.
There was Atherton's patent There
was a million-aye-m millions in it, Gripp,
who was of mathematical turn. immedi-
ately went off into a series of calcula-
tons. The result was pleasing. Yes.
there were millions-if the process was
handled by man who understood the
iron trade. And who knew it better than
Grip?
lie would begin by freezing Atherton
out of the business. Anterior was in
tractable. pig-headed Had ridiculous
notions about workinginen, labor of all
kinds capital of all kinds. An imprac-
ticable. laundering ass! Like all invent
ors and discoveries, only in the way.
He would build UP ii fine foundation
with Mr.. Mead for corner stone. Mr..
=. 4
enterprise. 1t would not do to offend
Mr.. Mead. Nor to squeeze him out. Mr..
Mead was essential to the growth, the
perfection, the development of Grips
master plan.
Mr.. Grip was looking over his cash
book. 1t made good showing. He had
done very well in the five years he lad
been dealing with the principal manufae-
turers of Pittsburg.
Suddenly a face looked in at his win
dow Certainly it was face-or was it
only fancy? Mr.. Gripp moved quietly to
his door. opened it quickly, and looked
out. There was nobody near. Mr.. Gripp
experienced a strange sensation. Then
he smiled to himself. ard his mind revert
ed TO Affections process.
"A biz thing--a very big thing. Grip
said to hinlself repeatedly. But what
was that? A sound. certainly, as of feet
near his door
GripS opened the door. looked out quick
Is. and was chagrined--his hearing must
be defective. There was a sound, ne
could be sworn.
Mr.. Gripp resorted 70 ruse. de az
fected to ID bending OF er his book; in re-
atty he was looking Iuriousiy out into
the open space near his'oftice at the pile OF
brick near at hand; at the pile of scrap
iron and pig metal.
Suddenly Grip started. There was
somebody near. A mans head slowly
rose above The scrap pie. The head turn
ed deliberately. and face looked straight
at Grips office. Thea the head sudden
~ sank agsir.
Where have seen that face?' Grip
asked himself. as he bent over his book.
All his calculations, based on the pat
ent process fer making iron. were knock
ed out of Grips head.
Where nave met that man.:
A strange tremor cafne over Grip. He
looked at his trembling hands and smiled.
Smiled seornfully.
"Poohi 1t IS a coincidence"
But he forgot Atherton's invention. Ii
was as though il had never entered his
mind.
Grips thoughts reverted TO an even
ing wen he met a pale. eold-leoking
woman on Federal street in Allegheny
lie recalled her appealing ieoS- lie re-
called the words Sc uttered as he strobe
past her. He recalled the deliberate man
ner in whith he went around block, re
,nrn.,1 ~ g. street. entered number -
quickly. and FASTENED up the stars.
He recalled the white. stained face that
turned 10 him as ha entered quickly,
closed and boltei the door behind hlnn-
He remembered distinctly his greeting,
Now. curse You. I'm here. How she
shrank a. frst, then, rendered desperate
nv her need how she, met his iool. bold
IL, and an@'vered, ~Itjis time. unless fou
want my esi.0i on yoar head
Then they glared Il each other. He
cursed her for returning 10 the city. She
demanded 10 know Thy she had not a
right 10 live. al LEASH And he said not
AT his expense.
And all the while demon whispered
him to eri it, 10 thl sttle her then end
there. and done with her forever.
(To be coLtinuedl