Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1906-11-22

through my head.
Pray be calm," said l. "You didn'
let me finish :"
LET you finish !" he cried. "You seen
to think jabber does everything. The enc
of it all is, that either you give me the
money, or take it-and if you interfere
look out ~
THAT is just what l was going to pro
pose. if You hadn't interrupted me-" sale
quietly, but with inward exultation. for
saw he was just In the state Of mind tt
walk eagerly into the trap was prepar
ing for him.
What do you ~" he asked.
explained to him that it was imposs
Bile for me to give up the money. My
reputation was at stake it was my duty
to die in defense of that money-a duty
which. | hastened to add, | entertained
no intention of performing.
But l went on, although I an
bound not to surrender the money, I am
not bound to. anticipate a forcible seizure
OF it,. In times of disturbance parties OF
rufians 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 l replied, "is the game and a
very neat game, too, If you play 1t prop
erly."
And y-hot will fhor L.,
|, when they hear the Provisional govern
ment is looting private property?". :,
My dear Colonel, you force me to
much explanation. You will, of course
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. kook here, Colonel, it's. as plain
as two peas. Give out that you're going
ito reconnoiter the coast and keep an eye
on The Ssngstress. Draw off your com
panies from the Piazza on that pretease.
Then take ffteen 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 boy." said the Colonel.
There's stuff in you after all And what
are you going to get out of it? 1 sup
pose that's coming next?"
AS the reader knows, l 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 disinterested conduct. SO l bar
gained with him for thirty thousand dol
lars, which he promised so readily that
strongly doubted whether he ever meant
to pay it.
DO you think there's any danger of
Whittingham 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.
Il don't think So" l replied. He
can't possibly have organized much of a
party here yet. There's some discon-
tent, no doubt, but not enough for him
to rely on"
There's plenty of dscontent,' 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 fresh Install
ment of pay to the troops tomorrow
morning. handsome installment."
Yes" said he thoughtfully, that ought
to keep them quiet for one night. Fact
is. they don't care twopence either for me
or Whittingham 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, "Ill 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" "
"Delightfully old-fashioned and baro-
NAL" | remarked. Il think it's good
idea. Have a bonfire and make it com
plete. 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
I. Il shall be off. I've got to write to
my 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, eh. Colonel? Whatever
might have happened if I'd been obsti-
nate. Hope | shall survive to dance at
your wedding anyhow. Less than a week
now.
Yes" said he, next Saturdays the
day.
lie really looked quite the happy bride
groom as he said this, and | left him to
contemplate his bliss.
Il would bet ten to one that day never
comes," | thought, as | walked away.
Even if / 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
Signorina's letter? 1t may cOnduce to
a better understanding Of the position If
tell what that letter was. She gave it
I,I f1.I