Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-11-26

One evening while affairs We're IN
this condition Harwood was sitting In
the office of his hotel after dinner
when he was accosted by man whom
he had noticed on several previous oc-
casions and had begun vaguely to sus-
pect of some secret design. The man
had eyed HARDWOOD from across the
room two or three times with studi-
ously yelled attention and once had
seemed to be discussing him with an
acquaintance.
Good evening"" said the stranger,
and HARDWOOD responded courteously
with the tone Of Difference appropriate
to the difference of their years, for the
other was beyond middle life.
"My name Is Graham" continued the
stranger.
"And mine Is Wilson," responded
HARDWOOD.
over his shoulder toward the desk,
tells me that you're looking around
for something to do"
'That's true" answered HARDWOOD,
with engaging frankness. "and don't
seem to have much luck finding any
thing"
Graham looked at him steadily and
approvingly for some seconds.
II think I've got something that
would suit you" he said. "Of course
I don't know you, and I wouldn't give
cents for all the references In the
1rorld h,,% to- NV, %boorr %hot a MAN
carries his character written on his
face"
Eyes, sir; think so myself" said
Harwood, raising his mild and limo
cent eyes to the countenance Of Ora
ham.
Immediately Graham began to give
hazy account of his business, which
seemed to be concerned with house
property and the management Of es-
tates His main office was In Chica.
60, but he had recently opened q
branch In this city.
about II O'clock" said he, writing an
address upon a blank card, well see
II we can make some kind of "a deal"
Eyes, sir" responded Harwood CRATE.
fully. II will be here without fail"
During the remainder Of the evening
he pondered deeply upon this occur
renee, and at 8 the next morning he
called up his associate In the Capital
Cities speculation. To him by tele-
phone he gave description of Ora
ham and of the man who had been
with him when they had seemed to be
discussing HARDWOOD.
II don't know Graham" replied the
partner, "but know the other man.
He has been here twice and has tried
to get information about the Capital
Cities. had him followed. and he
proved to be bookkeeper for con.
Germ downtown-Llngard s. Co., job.
bers In glassware. can't learn that
anybody In that firm is connected with
Dreamer in any way. The bookkeep-
er's name is Slade. What do you make
Of itY'
''It looks to me as II this fellow Slade
may have got some sort of a private
tip, and, failing to work you, he went
to Dreamer, who bought him up and
put him on to some job with Graham,
who Is probably one Of Creamer's reg
ular men. In my opinion, this 10 the
deepest game we've struck yet"
"But what Is the game7"
II give 1t up" answered Harwood;
"but, by lingo, I'm going to find outr'
At the hour appointed he called at
the address given By Graham, and 1t
proved to be small Office In big
building. The name "John Graham"
was freshly lettered upon the glass
panel Of the door, Within was some
simple furniture, including typewrit
er table and q good sized safe Of an
old pattern, seemingly secondhand.
There was also telephone.
These inanimate objects declared
themselves in an instant to, SO rapid
an observer as Harwood, and then they
vanished from his view, and he saw
only girl-only girl. but such girl!
The sight of her struck Harwood
dumb. Was 1t possible, was it thinka-
BILE, that this daughter Of the gods
could be associated In any way with
the underhand schemes Of such crea-
ture as Graham?
"You are Mr.. Wilson," said the girl
In a voice that matched her numerous
other projections. "Will you sit down?
Mr.. Graham will be back directly"
Harwood seated himself, and out
wardly he was the picture of well
bred but naturally diffident young man
anxious only to adjust his behavior to
the exigencies Of somewhat embar-
RAISING situation. Inwardly he en-
gagged In calm and keen analysis Of the
problem involved in Graham's conduct
1t would have been easy to jump at
conclusion, to decide that the whole
scheme was only to bring him into ac-
quaintance with fascinating young
woman who would shrewdly lead him
to talk about his business. HARDWOOD
knew better. he acquitted the girl on
sight. In his opinion she was as inno-
-. 49, <,,r,,l%,,ro onH woa fhorA