Newport daily independent., 1903-03-31


 reverts to me. If she marries, she is perfectly at liberty to dispose of it as she thinks fit."
 And. naturally, you intend to get the money" returned Grimes. But how? I'll tell you candidly Pm no good at murders"
 Well, I want you," continued Frankison, "to put this fellow Thomp- son out of the way the night before the ceremony. You will then take his place at the church next morn ing, disguising yourself, in the man. ner you understand so well, to pass for him, and get married to the young lady. Immediately after the affair is over you will make some excuse for retiring a few moments and clear off. Your absence will prob ably have the effect 1 require without resorting to further measures, but to make assurances doubly certain you will take care to acQuaint her, by letter, with the exact state of af- fairs, laying particular stress on the fact that you have more than a pass ing acquaintance with the inside of a prison. The latter portion of your letter will make you particularly ob- iectionable in her eyes, and will doubtless make her agree to your terms for silence. The false position she will be placed in and the scandal likely to accrue from the publication of the true facts of the case will to her mind, assume such fearful proportions that they will, l am certain, preclude the possibility of any action being taken to declare the marriage null, or of prosecuting you. Nevertheless, her grief and mortifica- tion will be none the less poignant, and eventually prey upon her mind to such an extent even if she sur wives the shock of your disclosures, that I shall soon be the richer by about 2,000 year. For your part in the matter, I propose to pay you the sum of { 500."
 Grimes held out his hand dramati- cally. "Shake," he said. If I ad- mire anything, it is man good at his business. I've seen good many williams, but, man, you could give them all points. Nevertheless" he continued, adopting familiar tone, now that Franlzison had divulged his secret, "this is matter that re- quires thoroughly reviewing, old chap. You want me to engage my self in the most cold-blooded scheme ever concocted, take all the risks, do away with a fellow (who, for any thing I know, will probably cause a lot of trouble), get married-the at tendant risks of which are, under the best of circumstances, worth more than the amount you so generously offer-morally, if not legally, murder a girl, and leave the country-it can't de done-for z 800"
 Frankison eyed him savagely, and paced the room in thought. He resented the familiarity in the mans voice. "SiX hundred" he exclaimed, at last. Grimes shook his head negatively.
 Frankison sat down white with an ger. Suppose I tell you a little story" he commenced; and without waiting for an answer proceeded. "A few years ago a young swell entered one of the principal banks in London and cashed check for fairly large amount. This was, of course, dis covered to be forgery. A few months afterward he attempted the same trick, but with disastrous re- suits. He was immediately recog- nized, although to certain extent disguised, and detained. He accom- plished his escape, however, by half killing his captor. No doubt you know the man." He ceased, and smiled grimly at the confusion plain ly showing itself on Grimes features.
 'T do not think you have been continued. Shall we say 600; it is charged with that matter yet" he a good price to pay for what cannot be called other than little decep- tion."
 Grimes swore horribly. The story east a reflection on his professional capabilities that affected his mind more than the danger he was men aced with. Before leaving the house, however, he had been forced into giv- ing reluctant consent, and received final instructions. The course of ac- ton was left entirely to him, so long as he kept to the main details of the plot.
 His first procedure was to obtain an introduction to the same club that Thompson frequented, and once there his insinuating, pleasing exterior soon won him an acquaintance with the person he desired, This soon ripened into a friendship so close that an observer would have been under the impression they had known each other for years.
 After a fortnight's time Grimes conceived the idea of testing his .,,,,,.,,. +,, ,o ,rNy tbrouob tha Sphpnp