Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1905-12-13
THE
CRAFTERS
FRANCIS LYNDB
CHAPTER ~.-CONTINUED,
Copyright. 1so. BY Tho Bohos,Asrrin CO, Y

- Copyright, lso4, BY The BohbsAsrril Col -
CHAPTER XX.-CoNT1NuED.
"Precisely," was the smiling rejoin-
der. you will note that I said at
that time Later Developments
more especially this charge made OPEN
ly by the public press Of juggling with
foreign corporations-have led me to
believe that as the public prosecutor
may have duties which transcend all
other considerations-of loyalty to a
party standard-ot-"
Kent took his turn at interrupting.
Mr.. Meigs, there is nothing to be
gained by indirection. May I ask you
to come to the point?"
Briefly, then: the course pursued
by Senator Duvall in the Belmount at
fair leaves an improved. charge against
others; a charge which I am deter
mined to sift to the bottom-you see.
l am speaking quite frankly. That
charge involves the reputation of
men high in authority; but shall be
strong to do my sworn duty, Mr..
Kent; l ask you to believe that"
Kent nodded and waved him on.
You will readily understand the
delicacy of the task, and how, in the
nature of things, am handicapped
and hedged up on every side. Evil
dence-of a kind to enable me to as
sail popular IDOLS exceedingly diff
tcult to procure"
1T u.s. said Kent, grimly.
Exactly. But in revolving the mat
ter in my own mind, thought of you.
You are known at the capitol, Mr..
Kent, and I may say throughout the
state, as the uncompromising antagon-
list Of the state administration. l
have asked myself this: Is it posi-
BILE that cool-headed, resolute attor-
ney like Mr.. David Kent would move
so far and so determinedly in this
matter of antagonism without substan-
TALLY paving the ground under his
feet with evidence as he went along?"
Kent admitted that it was possible,
but highly improbable.
80 I decided was the smile-tem-
pered rejoinder. In that case it only
remains for me to remind you of your
public duty, Mr.. Kent; to ask you in
the name of justice and of the people
OF the state, to place your information
In the hands of the public prosecutor -
Kent's face betrayed nothing more
than his appreciation of the confidence
reposed in him by the man whose high
sense of official honor was making him
turn traitor to the party leader who
had dragged him through a successful
election.
p II have what evidence l need, Mr..
Meigs," he declared. But if I make
no secret of this, neither do conceal
the fact that the motive pro bono pub
leo has had little to do with its &C.
cumulating. want justice first for
what might be called purely private
end, and L mean to have it, >..
Precisely" smiled the attorney
general. "And now we are beginning
to see our way little clearer. 1t is
not too late for us to move in the quo
warranto proceedings. If you will call
at my Office l shall be glad to reopen
the matter with YOU"
"And the price," said Kent, shortly.
"Oh, my dear sir! must we put it
upon the ground of guild pro quo?
Rather let us say that we shall help
zach other. You are in position to
assist me very materially; l maybe
in position to serve your turn. Come
to my Office tomorrow morning pre-
pared to do your duty as an honest,
loyal citizen, and you will find me quite
willing to meet you halfway"
Kent rose and opened his watch.
Mr.. Meigs, l have given you your
opportunity, and you have seemed to
give me mine," he said, coolly. 'Wil1
you pardon me if say that l can pad
die my own canoe-if ask you to as
sure his Excellency that one more de-
vice of his to escape punishment has
been tried and found wanting?"
For fitting moment the cast-iron
smile faded from the impressive face
Of the attorney general and an unre-
lenting devil tame to peer out of the
colorless eyes. Then Meigs rose cat
like and laid his hand on the door,
knob.
do understand that you refuse to
move In a matter which should be the
first duty of a good citizen, Mr.. Kent?'
he asked, purringly.
Il certainly do refuse to fall into
any such clumsy trap as you have
been trying to bait for me, Mr.. Meigs,"
said David Kent, dropping back into
his former curtness.
The door opened slowly under the
impulse of the slender womanish hand.
You have task of some magnitude
before you, Mr.. Kent. You can scarcely
hope to accomplish it alone
The door closed softly behind the re-
treating figure Of the attorney general,
and Kent released the spring of the
night-latch. Then he went to the
dropped portiere at the farther end OF
the room, drew it aside and looked in
on Z man who was writing at a table
pushed out between the windows.
you heard him, Loring?" he askNd
The ex-manager nodded: : -
They are hard pressed" he said
Then, looking up quickly: @You could
name your price II you wanted to close
out the stock Of goods in hand, David
= It was In the afternoon Of the same
-. = 81 To- IL