The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1903-09-11
eRtAr BRITAIN Rights RE5ERvED.
COPYRIGHT. BY W.R.HEARI. 1909.

DkIIHl MY1ll hL1LhVLp.
I must explain the object Of my visit.
But I can talk and smoke. too. so
please allow me to finish this cigar be-
fore I enter into business matters"
He leaned coolly back In the easy
chair, which he had eaga1n occupied
after lighting the gas, n smoked for
some minutes in silence When he had
finished he tossed the stump Of his
cigar into the CRATE and turned to VIII
liers.
Now" he said, with a sharp precis-
ion which had not previously charac-
terized him, I'VE a get to business.
I am a member of that class of the
community who subsist on the credul-
ity and simplicity of others. The pick
pocket Is the lowest member Of this
great class. I belong to h highest,
where intelligence, ingenuity. mastery
Of circumstances n fertility of con-
ception are required. You, on the other
hand, are an honest, Woodworking
plodder in the service Of the Anglo
Australiasian Steamship company.
And 1 AVE need of you"
"Need-of mel" repeated Villiers. in
bewilderment.
Precisely" said the stranger, brush
ing a speck of cigar ash from his i'm
maculate frock coat. Let me explain
further. The department of which you
are at the head Is responsible, among
other things, for the arrangements con-
nected with the shipment Of specie.
bullion and other valuables. A few
days ago you received an advice from
Messrs. Rosenstein and Gluck, Of Hat
ton Garden, intimating their desire to
ship a parcel Of precious stones to sgd
ney by the steamship Druid, which
sails on the 23d."
Villiers looked al his visitor in
amazement. But he did not express
his surprise, as to do so would have
statement.
1.-The value of this parcel" continued
the stranger airily, was estimated by
Rosenstein and Gluck at 10000 Two
Of their most trusted representatives
will convey h parcel to the ship an
hour before b sails, n 1t will be
your. province to accompany them. in
order that, on your side, too, the de-
posit of the stones in the strong room
of the ship may be testified to. The
captain of h Druid will have n Of
the three keys which will open the
in possession of you Sydney repre-
sentative, and o have charge Of the
third.
"Now, what I want you to do Is this.
I shall accompany you when you go
to the office in the morning. It will be
quite easy for me to satisfy any curl
osity which this step may arouse in
your clerks by assuming the role Of an
intending shipper and making the usual
inquiries as to bills Of lading. Then
you can take me to your private office.
where, without being observed, o can
show me the key Of the Druid's strong
room. I shall merely require to hold
1t in my hand for a second or so. A
little wax will do the restl"
There was an angry light in Max
Villiers eyes as he listened to this
criminal proposal. Leaping out of bed
he began hastily to dress himself.
You infamous scoundreii" ne said
with cleaning eyes.
The burglar smiled, crossed his legs
and looked ~meditauvely up at the cell
ing.
LAS soon as that Is accomplished
he resumed in his evenly modulated
voice, II shall count out to you the sun
of 10000 in Bank Of England notes, az
a trifling appreciation Of the service
you will have thereby rendered me
You see, I trust our honor implicitly
and make no stipulation hat you mus
wait for your recompense until the
successful termination Of my plans.
think I know o Max Villiers, and
am confident that, after helping me II
this matter, you will have the wisdom
and good taste to forget the whole af.
fair. Ten thousand pounds is a nice
little nest egg, and it might go a Ions
way to soften the heart Of a certain
gentleman when he considers the ques.
ton Of retrospective son-in-low."
Max Villiers paused in the process O,
putting on his coat.
II don't know who you are" he sait
in bewilderment. But you appear tt
possess some knowledge of things con.
corning myself which I imagined were
shared by none. Be that as it may
!, however, the temptation you put IL
my way is one which, though 1t benefit.
ed me in no inconsiderable way, would
, deprive me of all self respect You d.
not appea to nave reckoned that IL
, your proposal"
The burglar laughed softly.
"Self-respect Is an elastic term" he
said with evident amusement. "And II
by n chance you wound this imagin.
ary moral organ, the sum of a1O, 0Ot
= will amply suffice to heal the wound sc
calsed. Let us be practical. T have
made you a proposal, for which I have
offered you a handsome return. And
!, this proposal yop have absolutely nc
alternative but to acceptI'
Indeed" said Villiers. I'VE shall,
see! In a few minutes I shall signal q
policeman, and give you into custody
for housebreaking."
:, my dear fellow" said the burglar
you do not really suppose I came in
mere W1tnOuC having foreSean SOM
such intention on your part? Your
simplicity is positively refreshing! ]
have here" he took from his pocket
a small six-chambered revolver and
toyed with 1t care1essly-"a little in
strument who's business 1t is to per-
suade obstinate people into doing that
which I ask them. I don't often use it
but when I do" He looked steadily
into Vi!liers' eyes and left the sentence
Unfinished.
"It IS fortunate you have only your
, sister living with you. as that might
complicate matters. You can easily
explain to her that I am In old school
friend Of yours who has run in tc
have breakfast with you preparatory tc
transacting a little business, with which
I a already acquainted you. Then
we will go down to the office Of the
Anglo-Australasian Steamship com
pany. where O can carry out the plan
I have proposed. and for which you
will receive immediate payment"