The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1905-02-24
A CASE or
BLACKMAI
[OriEinal.l

Young Mrs. Tarian while shopping
left her bag, containing her purse and
two lctters-the one recently received,
the other to be postcd-on the counter
After awhile she came hurrying back.
The salesman, young man of very
unprcpOescssing appearance. whose
clothes had been renovated and clean
ed 10 the point of Responsibility re-
qnircd by his employers, declared that
he had not saen it. whcrcupon Mrs.
Iarian threatened to send TO the office
and have him searched.
If you do you will bring suspicion
on Inc and" be hcsltated, then cast
piercing glance at the lady. perhaps
yourself
Mrs. varian palcd. She remembered
the letters.
Madam said the salesman in a
low tone, when and where can l see
yon?
She cast, q whitening glance at him.
then gave her address, adding: To
night ut II. Come to the basement
How much shall ! have readyi"
HO lllOuSun MI uOIlarS.
The lady's heart sank within her. for
shc knew she could not raise such n
sum. But she went away without fur
ther effort to regain her property or
to reduce the amount of the blackmail.
About 8 o'clock that afternoon a
fashily dressed man stopped at the
counter and while examining some
silks looked up ut the salesman with a
surprised expression and asked, Are
you George PerEsY
Il am"
I'm Johnny Denico. / come from
the same town rs YOU"
Perks permitted Mr.. Dcnlco to claim
acquaintance without protest. listen
ing to what evidence he had as to his
really being what he represented. lis
tening without even a yes or no. When
Denico concluded, I'm alone in town;
come and have dinner with me-"
Perks saw something tangible. lie
hadn't had good dinner for years,
and rs Dcnico was willing to ray for
one he was perfectly willing to trnst
to his professions till 1t was over. FL
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 swarIned out, and the two new
ly made friends were in the throng
Dcnico led the way to n restaurant. Or
dercd good dinner and while they
were waiting for it concluded that it
would be pleasanter to have a private
room, which was secured. When
Perks was we'll filed. Denico began to
beat about the bush in a proposition
he said he had to make, but at last
came ont plain:
TO tell the truth, George, this pros.
pcrity Of mine is dependent upon 81
little game I'm playing. I've got y
scheme for getting in people by a very
ingenious advertisement. the real
meaning Of which is thinly conceal
ed Now I want Il man
That's your game. is it," interrupt
cd Perks. Il knew from the first by
yol.r looks that you wore no ac1uaint
ance OF mine and that you were either
going to bnnko me or wanted me to
y u
Denicc-if that's your name-you've
given ne 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 a first
class concern, and can't be tempted"
Perks drained his glass and. rising
took his hat fror, hook. Then turn
ing lie said: Good evening. Mr.. Deni
co. The next time you try to do Il
man you'd better light on enc that
can't ser through n milestone"
Sit down." said Denico, with n sud-
den change Of manner ana tone.
Perks took fright at once and spr;,ng
for the door Before he could open il
he felt Denico's hand on his collnr and
the cold muzzle of revolver pressed
against his neck. Denlco led him back
10 his seat and crammcd him into it.
Then he locked the door, put the key
In his pocket and resumed his seat.
I've failed to fool you as hoped
don't like my present method. It's
dangerous, especially in this case. hut
l won't use that thing putting the re-
'oAftA ~ AID k'oSA'N. ~ IL
try this" And he drew ten inches OF
polished steel from his breast pocket.
the point OF which made Perks shudicl..
This morning a lady left her bag ut
-FOUR counter. l don't believe you have
dared leave it there. made sure of
you from the time you left the store.
and believe you have it on your per-
son.
Il haven't" said Perks trembling.
Il rolled it Up in bundle of silk
goods. The wrapper girl found it and
sent 1t to the Office
with everything in it:'
Eyes"
You lie. Turn your pockets inside
out"
Perks hesitated moment. then, re.
alizlng that lie was cornered. took two
letters from his inside pocket and
threw them on the table. Denco seized
them eagerly, looked ut the addresses,
then smiled complacently. Stepping to
the door. he unlocked it and held it
open for Perks to pass ont, helping
Elm with n kick that poopIv y,ro,-o