Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1904-06-04
A CASE OF
BLACKMAIL



two letters-the one recently received,
the other to be posted-on the counter
After awhile she came hurrying back.
The salesman, q young man or very
unprepossessing appearance, whose
clothes had been renovated and clean
ed to the point Of responsibility re-
Quired by his employers, declared that
he had not seen it, whereupon Mrs.
Varian threatened to send to the office
and have him searched.
"If you do you will bring suspicion
on me and" he hesitated, then cast a
piercing glance at the lady, perhaps
yourself"
Mrs. Varian paled. She remembered
the letters.
Madam" said the salesman in a
low tone, when and where can l see
your"
She cast a whitening glance Mt him,
then gave her address, adding: ITO
night at H. Come to the basement.
How much shall have ready"
1.-TWO thousand dollars"
The lady's heart sank within her, for
she knew she could not raise such
sum. But she went away without fur
Their effort to regain her property or
to reduce the amount of the blackmail.
About s o'clock that afternoon
fashily dressed man stopped at the
counter and while examining some
silks looked up at the salesman with
surprised expression and asked, Are
you George PerksT
Il am
"I'm Johnny Denico. I come from
the same town as you"
Perks permitted Mr.. Denico to claim
acquaintance without protest, listen
ing to what evidence he had as to his
really being what he represented, lis
tening without even yes or no. When
DenicO 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. Ell
Their the man had made mistake or
was trying to do him. After dinner
he would break away.
At 6 o'clock Denico came back, the
clerks swarmed out, and the two new
ly made friends were in the throng.
Denico led the way to restaurant, or
dered good dinner and while they
were waiting for it concluded that it
would be pleasanter to have private
room, which was secured. When
Perks was we'll filled, DenicO began to
beat about the bush in a proposition
he said he had to make, but at last
came out plain:
ITO tell the truth, George, this pros
perity of mine is dependent upon a
little game I'm playing. I've got
scheme for getting in people by very
ingenious advertisement, the real
meaning Of which is thinly conceal
ed. Now 1 want man
That's your game, is it," interrupt
ed Perks. II knew from the first by
your looks that you were no acquaint-
ance of mine and that you were either
going to bunko me or wanted me to
join you in some confidence game. Mr..
Denico-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 want to tell you that
I'm an honest man, working for first
class concern, and can't be tempted"
Perks drained his glass and, rising,
took his hat from hook. Then turn
ing he said: Good evening, Mr.. Dent
CO. The next time you try to do
man you'd better light on one that
can't see through a milestone"
"Sit down." said Denico, with sud
den change of manner and tone.
Perks took fright at once and sprang
for the door. Before he could open 1t
he felt Denicos hand on his collar and
the cold muzzle of a revolver pressed
against his neck. Denico 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.
ave failed to fool you as l hoped. l
don't like my present method. It's
dangerous, especially in this case. But
won't use that thing" putting the re-
volver in 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 lady left her bag at
your counter don't believe you have
dared leave it there. l made sure Of
you from the time you left the store,
and l believe you have it on your per-
son."
81 haven't" said Perks, trembling.
II rolled 1t up in a bundle of silk
goods. The wrapper girl found it and
sent 1t to the Office"
with everything in it?'
"Yes."
"You lie! Turn your pockets inside
out"
Perks hesitated a moment, then, re-
nlizing that he was cornered, took two
letters from his inside pocket and
threw them on the table. Denico seized
them eagerly, looked at the addresses,
then smiled complacently. Stepping to
the door, he unlocked 1t 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 Denico stood with
Mrs. Varian in her sitting room before
an open log fire.
There are our letters" he said. "Why
all women who are indiscreet instead of
very few don't get caught | don't
tl,ni