Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-09-23
By WILL N. HARDEN,
Copyright. 1905. by HARPER a BROTHERS

lutte faith as to Its security. Could he
give up their money to save his own
life, and
Another quarter" said the leader OF
the men. "I'll count SIX, and eff he
don't move when / say six, pull down
together. Listen! That's the II o'clock
train. Fire Jest as it's passin', boys.
We won't take no resk on the sound
reachin' outside"
George heard the coming train. The
rumble of 1t was felt in the walls OF
the building. The mountaineer was
measuring its approach by counting
slowly: "One-two--three-four'-
"Put down your guns" said George
Buckley. mo man can expect another
to sacrifice his life for a little money.
I've done the best I can. Put down
your guns"
That's the talk, young feller. You
are no fool. For minute you tuck
this thing so durn cool thought you
was goin' to commit suicide. But keep
i'm covered, boys. We don't take no
chances on him. nur no other chap"
"You needn't be afraid" said George,
with q cold, hard smile. "You fellows
are simply too much for me. They say
every man has his price; I reckon
you'll give me part Of the money. 1
want to leave the country. They will
all say was concerned in it-because
Of my father. Is that understood-Im
to get part?"
"Yes, that's understood" said the
leader eagerly. Boys, we'll have to
divide with 'im-he's the right sort"
The train ratified by. George left his
stool and went to the safe. With a
hand that cleaned like that Of dead
mans in the lamplight, he twirled the
combination bolt back and forth; then
he suddenly turned to them, passing
his hand wearily over his brow.
look here" he said, "I'll have to
confess that you've ratified me. I
changed the lock today, and the letters
Of the combination have slipped my
mind"
You can't come that on us. Boys, he's
tryin' to gain time He thinks we
cayn't git in the safe. Sock it to the
Hold onw George held up his hand,
still smiling mechanically. Dent fly
off the handle. l can figure out the
combination in a few minutes If you'E
only take those blasted guns off me
and stand back. I'm not made Of
stone. How can q man get his mind
on a thing like that while you are
pointing revolvers ut him. Leave me
alone minute. I'm with you, but give
me minute to collect myself-to think
1t out"
The leader laughed. Boys" he said,
hes scared sight wuss n he looks.
That's compliment to us. Stand out
side the office. III stay with i'm. but
eff you hear the slightest noise run in"
The two men did as ordered, and
! George sank into chair at Hillyer's
desk. He drew blank sheet Of paper
to him and dipped pen.
"Now git to work." said the leader,
approaching and looking over his shoul-
der.
George glared up at him. "Not un-
less you keep away from me. Get
back" he demanded sharply, "or I'll
throw it up"
well, you needn't be so tetchy," and
the burglar retreated to the door, where
he stood leaning against the wall.
George had gained his point. Under
the pretense Of trying to recall the
combination he had gained time for
something he had in view. He was
going to write note to Hillyer and
cautiously slip it into the old mans day
/ book on the desk This il what he
hastily penned and addressed to Hill
yer:
Three unknown men have me covered
with revolverS to force me to open safe.
They think l am now studying out COM
bination. Escape impossible / know you
would rather have me give in, but I
can't. The world believes the son of a
thief will steal. and it would say I was
a party to the crime. I'm tired Of the
struggle anyway. / never would have
committed suicide. but am not averse to
this chance to prove l despise dishonesty.
Do this one thing for me: Tell L. G. I
died hoping it would show that I am an
honest man. 1 don't believe these men
can possibly get into the safe. and by
refusing them the combination l can save
| your money and the money deposited by
many poor people who need it. Tell her
| the only horror 1 have in facing this
| thing tonight Is in leaving her to become
| that mans wife. God knows he cannot
! take care of her or make her happy. I
| discovered in Atlanta that he Is a bank
rupt. Tell her that
Say, are you goin' to take all night?'
| cried the man at the door.
George deftly slid the unfinished let
ter into the book on the desk and drew
another sheet of paper to him. This
sheet he held before his eyes as If
studying it as he turned to the speaker.
81 say, are you gon' to set thar all
night?" repeated the burglar testify.
George tore the sheet into small bits
and threw them on the floor. give
been thinking it over" he said. you've
got the upper hand Of me, but'-he
stood up and leaned on the back Of bis
chair. grasping it firmly. "I'm going
to refuse"
"RefuSe?
"Yes. Pm going to refuse" Georges
fingers closed on the posts Of the chair
like prongs of steel, and, swinging 1t
upward. he sprang toward the man on
guard But he was not quick enough.
With grunt of alarm the burglar fired
directly at his breast. George had seen
his peril and tried to dodge. but the
| shot strin1.l; him in tho fnrphpad and he