Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1906-09-21

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Let you finish ~ he cried. "You seem
to think jabber does everything The end
of it all is, that either you give me the
money, or l take it-and if you interfere,
look out ~
That is just what 1 was going to pro-
pose, If you hadn't interrupted me-" I said
quietly, but with inward exultation, for l
saw he was just in the state of mind to
| walk eagerly into the trap | was prepar-
ing for him.
What do you mean?' he asked
explained TO him that it was impossi-
Bile for me to give up the money. My
reputation was at stake; it was my duty
to die IN defense of that money! duty
which, l fastened to add, l entertained
no intention of performing.
But" [ went on, although l am
bound not to surrender the money, | am
not bound to anticipate a forcible seizure
of it. In times of disturbance parties of
rufhans often turn to plumber Not even
the most rigorous precautions can guard
against it. Now it would be very posi-
BILE that even tonight a band of such
| marauders might make an attack on the
bank, and carry off all the money in the
| safe"
OH said the Colonel, that's the
game, is it?"
That" 1 replied, "is the game and
very neat game, too, if you play it prop
erly."
And what will they say in Europe,
when they hear the Provisional govern
ment is looting private property"
My dear Colonel, you force me to
| oh
not appear in the matter"
Il should like to be there" he remark
ed. IF l weren't, the men mightn't
catch the exact drift of the thing"
You will be there, of course, but in
cognito. Look here, Colonel, it's as plain
as two peas. Give out that you're going
to reconnoiter the coast and keep an eye
on The Songstress. Draw off your COM
| panes from the Piazza on that pretense.
Then take fifteen or twenty men you can
| trust-not more, for it's no use asking
more than you can help, and resistance is
out OF the question. About two, when ev-
erything is quiet, surround the bank.
Jones will open when you knock. Don't
hurt him. but take him outside and keep
him quiet. Go in and take the money.
Here's the key to the safe. Then, if you
like. set fire to the place.
Bravo, my boyv' said the Colonel.
There's stuff in you after all And what
are you going to get out of it? l sup
pose that's coming next?"
AS the reader knows, / wasn't going
| to get anything out of it, except myself
and the Signorina. But it wouldn't do
to tell the Colonel that; he would not be-
lieve in disnterested conduct. So | bar
gained with him for thirty thousand dol
lars, which he promised so readily that l
| strongly doubted whether he ever meant
to pay it.
do you think there's any danger of
Nottingham making an attack while
we're engaged on the job?'
The Colonel was, in common parlance,
getting rather warmer than l liked. 1t
was necessary to mislead him.
II don't think so,'' 1 replied. HE
can't possibly have organized much of a
party here yet. There's some discon-
to rely on
There's plenty of discomfort" said the
Colonel.
There won't be in a couple of hours"
why not?'
"Why, because you're going down to
the barracks to announce a fresh install
ment of pay to the troops tomorrow
morning. handsome installment."
Yes" said he thoughtfuily, ''that ought
to keep them quiet for one night. Fact
is. they don't care twopence either for me
or Nottingham and if they think they'll
get more out of me they'll stick to me-"
'Of course" assented. Indeed, it was
| true enough as long as the President was
not on the spot but [ thought privately,
| that the Colonel did not allow enough for
his rivals personal influence and pres
tige. if he once got face to face with the
| troops.
Yes" the Colonel went on, "I'll do
that, and what's more, I'll put the people
in good humor by sending down orders
for a free social in the Piazza tonight"
''Deligntfully old-fashioned and baro-
NAL" | remarked. Il think it's a good
idea. Have a bonfire and make it COM
nlete. 1 don't suppose Whittingham
dreams of any attempt, but it will make
the riot even more plausible"
'At any rate. they'll all be too jolly
to make trouble" said he.
well, that's about all, isn't it?" said
l.
nv directors and ask instructions for the
investment of the money
You'll live to be hanged Martin"
said the Colonel, with evident admiration.
Not by you, Ell, Colonel? Whatever
might have happened if I'd been obsti-
nate! Hope 1 shall survive to dance at
your wedding anyhow. Less than week
now -
YES" said he, next Saturdays the
day.
He really looked quite the happy bride
groom as he said this, and l left him to
contemplate his bliss.
81 would bet ten to one that day never
comes" l thought, as I walked away.
Even if I don't will I'll back the Presi-
dent to be back before that"
The Colonel's greed had triumphed over
his wits, and he had fallen into my snare
with greater readiness than | could have
hoped. The question remained, What
would the President do when he got the
SiSnorina's letter? 1t may conduce to