Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-28

| across the tiled lobby outside patrol
! wagon ratified in the street with great
clang OF its gong. Wheaton had moved the
! brown parcel little nearer tt the edge Of
| the table; Margrave noticed this and for
| the first time took a serious interest in the
| packet. He was not built for quick evo1u-
| lions, but he made wha' was for a man OF
| his bulk sudden movement around the
| table toward Wheaton, who was between
| him and the door
What you got in that paper, Jim?'' lie
| asked, putting from his exerticn.
Still Wheaton did not speak. but he pick
ed up the parcel and took step toward tho
| door, Margrave advancing upon him.
Wheaton reached the door, holding tho
package under his arm
Don't touch me: don't touch me-" he
said hoarsely. Margrave still came toward
| him. Wheaton's unengaged hand went ner-
Vousiy TO his throat and he fumbled at his
| tie. The sweat came out on his forehead.
| 1t was a curious scene, the tall, dark man
| In his evening clothes pitiful in his agita-
ton, with his back against the door hug
ging the bundle under one arm; and Mar
grave. in his rough business suit walking
slowly toward Wheaton, who retreated be-
| fore him
Il want that package, Jim"
| go away! go away The sweat shone
| on Wheaton's forehead in great drops. Il
can't. l can't-you know / cantI'
| You ID coward" said Margrave. laugh
! ing suddenly. Il want that bundle" He
! made gesture, and Wheaton lodged and
| shrank away. Marzrave laughed again: a
| malicious mirth possessed him. But he
grew suddenly fierce and his far fingers
! closed about Wheaton's neck Wheaton
| huddled against the door, holding the brown
packet with both Lands
| Drop it! Drop itr' blurted Marprsye
he was breathing hard.
| "A sharp knock at the door against which
| they struggled caused Margrave to spring
away. He walked down the room several
| PAGES with an assumption of careIessness
! and Wheaton. with the bundle still under
his arm. turned the knob of the door
Hello. Wheaton," called Fenton blinking
| In the glare of the lights.
Good evening" said Wheaton
How're you, Fenton?" said Mareray.
carelessiy, but mopping his forehead with
his handkerchief ~
Here are your papers," said Wheaton
almost thrusting his parcel tnto.tbe 10
years hands -e 'a"
All right" said Fenton, looking curious-
y rom one to the otner And then no
glanced at the package as If absent-mfnd-
| ediy, and saw that the seal was unbroken.
Goodnight gentlemen" he said. Sorry
to have disturbed you"
Hope you're not going to work tonight"
said Margrave. solicitously.
On, not very long, said the lawyer
dard on honest men when lawyers work
| at night" continued Margrave as the law
yer walked across the lobby
Yes, you railroad people can say that
Fenton flung back at him
How much Traction was in that pack
age?" asked Margrave. closing the door.
I don't know, said Wheaton, smoothing
his tie. The Waterman could be heard
closing the outside door on Fenton.
mo, don't think you do" returned Mar
grave. You'd fixed it pretty well with
Fenton If he'd only been a minute later
I'd have got that bundle. / didn't realize
at first what you had there Jim. until you
kept lingering 1t so desperately"
| Now" lie sad amiably, IL the real
business of tire evening had just been
reached, there are those shares OF your
own, Jim. / hope we won't be interrupted
while you're getting them for me-"
Wheaton nesitated.
You get them for me-" said Margrave
with change of manner, 'quick!'
Wheaton still hesitated.
Margrave picked up his hat.
I'm going from here to the Gazette Office.
You know they do what / tell EN- over
there. They'd like little story about the
aristocratic Wheaton family OF Ohio Por-
ter's girl would like that for breakfast to-
morrow morning"
CTo Be continued tomsgroV.1