The daily Alaskan., 1904-06-16
nLr,rA UE
BLACKMAIL
IOrlginaL1

unprepOsSessing appearance, whose clothes had been renovated and clean cd to the point of responsibility re- quired by his employers, declared that he had not seen 1t, whcreupOn Mrs. Varian threatened to send to the office and have him searched.
 eff you do you will bring suspicion on me and" he hesltated, then cast a piercing glance at the lady, perhaps yourself"
 Mrs. Variau paled. She remembered the letters.
 Madam" said the salesman in a low tone. when and where can l see you?"
 She cast a whitening glance at him, then gave her address, adding: "To- night at II. Come to the basement How much shall have ready?'
 Two thousand dollars"
 The lady's heart sank within her, for she knew she could not raise such a sum. But she went away without fur ther effort to regain her property or to reduce the amount of the blackmail.
 About . o'clock that afternoon a fashily dressed man stopped at the counter and while examining some silks looked up at the salesman with a surprised expression and asked, Are you George PerksE'
 Il am"
 I'm Johnny Denico. come from the same town as you" Perks permitted Mir. Denico to claim acquaintance without protest listen ins to what evidence he had as to his really being what he represented, Is- tcufuE without even yes or no. When pcutco concluded, I'm alone in town; come and have a dinner with me Perks saw something tangible. He hadn't had a good dinner for years, and as DeniCo was willing to pay for one he was perfectly willing to trust to his professions till it was over. FL ther the man had made a mistake or was trying to do" him, After dinner be would break away.
 At 6 o'clock DenicO came back, the clerks swarmcd out and the two new lv made friends were in the thronS Dcuico led the way to a restaurant or dcrcI a good dinner and while they were waiting for it concluded that it would be plcasanter to have private room. which was secured. NlCn Perks was well filed Den.co hcc"u 10 beat about the bush in proposition he said he had to make, but at last came out plain.
 ITO tell the truth. George, this pros pcrity of mine is doreHdcnt upon a little game I'm playing. I've got a scheme for getting in people by a very ingenious advertisement. the real meaning of which is thinly conr"aE cd. Now I want a man
 That's your game. iS it:' interrupt cd Perks. "I knew from the first by vour looks that you were no acquamt- auce of mine and that you were either coin. Go UuukO me or wanted me to foin you in some confidence game. MT pcnico-if that's your name you've given me a first rate dinner, and on that account I'll not put the police on your track, but I want Co tell you that I'm an honest man, working for a first class concern. and cant be tempted.'
 Perks drained his glass anI, rising, took his hat from a hook. Then turn ing he said: Good evening, Mr. Deni- co. The next time you try to do a man you'd better light on one that can't see through a millstone.'
 "Sit down. said Denico, with sud den change of manner and tone.
 Perks took fright at once and sprns for the door. Before he could open it hc felt Deufco's hand on his collar and the cold muzzIe of a revolver pressed a-a.nst his neck. pcnico led him back to his seat and crammed him into 1t. Then he locked the door, put the key in his pocket and resumed his seat
 i've failed t0 fool you as 1 hoped. l don't like my present method. It's dangerous. especially in this ease. But I won't use that thing, putting the re volver Iu his pocket. Its noisy. I'll try this" And he drew ten inches of polished steel from his breast pocket, the point of which made Perks shudder.
 This morning a lady left her bag at your counter. l don't believe you have dared leave 1t there. made sure of you from the time you left the store, and I believe you have it on your per son"
 Il haven't" said Perks, trembling. q rolled it up in a bundle of silk goods. The wrapper girl found it and sent it to the office
 With everything in itT'
 Yes"
 You lie! Turn your pockets inside out"
 Perks hesitated Q moment, then, re- alizing that he was cornered, took two letters from his inside pocket and threw them on the table Dcnico seized them eagerly. looked at the addresses, then smiled cOmplacently. Stepping to the door, he unlocked it and held 1t open for Perks to pass out, helping him with a kick that nearly broke his spine.
 The next morning he who had passed under the name of Deuico stood with Mrs. yarian in her sitting room before an open log fire.
 There are our letters" he said. 'Why all women who are indiscreet instead of a very few don't get caught I don't know. The way women carry their belongings would wreck a man every