Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1906-10-11


would be sure to run across cases label
ed with his name and filed with his
gifts.
At his own expense the Hon. Bing-
ham had sent expeditions to the four
quarters &C the globe, and the only
reason he had not purchased some of
the largest pyramids of Egypt was be-
cause OF the difficulties of transporta
ton. IL the chief of an African tribe
had warclubs for sale the Hon. Bing
ham bought them; IL child in the east
end of London found petrified bone it
could be turned into cash in twenty
four hours.
Hundreds of persons had taken the
Hon. Charles Bingham for an easy
mark and sought to work him. Man,
woman or child could find access to his
house at any hour of the day, but as
for taking the old man in with imita-
tions. that was different. He had made
a few mistakes early in his career, as
might have been expected, but after he
had passed fifty his decisions settled
the question with all museums in Eu-
rope. There was a weak spot in the
armor. however, and it was curious
that no one found it out for many
years.
One day there came to London an
American who had been exploring the
Nile for years. He had letters from
American and British consuls abroad.
He even had one from the secretary of
the khedive himself. He had gathered
many wonderful things during his stay
on the banks of the historic stream.
Charles Bingham, but he did not call
upon the man or open correspondence.
He dropped in at a club or two, said
very little, charmed everybody with his
modesty and refused all interviews
with reporters. 1t was not until the
Hon. Charles had sent one messenger
and then written letter over his own
signature that Explorer Blake grudg-
lngly consented TO n meeting. At that
meeting he named II few of his souve-
Mrs, but only few. Nothing whatever
was for sale The whole bag was to go
to the New York Museum of Natural
History.
The attitude of Explorer Blake was
churlish, and yet after n few days he
softened enough to invite the Hon.
Charles to n private inspection of his
treasures. This invitation would not
have been extended to any other man
in the world. He appointed the hour
when he would call with carriage, and
he was there to the minute. IL was tho
general idea that his stock of finds was
in n warehouse, and he was supposed
TO be stopping at hotel, but no one
was certain of these things.
The Hon. Charles didn't care where
he was taken, so long rs the relics Of
the Nile were Mt the other end OF the
Journey. He paid no attention to the
streets they passed through and very
little TO the house at which they finally
arrived. lie was ushered to the top
story, talking as lie went, landed In a
room about twelve feet square lighted
by n skylight and when he looked about
for the stock in trade he failed TO find
II. The only furniture In the room
was two old chairs Explorer Blake
took one and lighted a cigar, ana the
Hon. Charles took the other and won
dered what was coming next. He soon
ascertalned.
"My dear sir, | shall be very sorry TO
put you to any trouble" began the ex-
plorer, "but the fact Is | am hard up
and must raise $4,000 That Is 5000
In your money. | don't want to turn
burglar or murderer. | want to be
gentle and nice about it,"
How long have YOU been planning
this thingf" asked the Hon Charles as
he looked around the empty room and
"tumbled" to the fact that he had been
taken In.
"All Of six months, and 1t has cost
me considerable hard cash"
"And your figure Is $1,000, Is lt?'
mot n penny less. When you have
given me check for the amount and
the same has been cashed, you will be
restored TO liberty. | shall not demand
rs one Of the provisions that you prom
ise not TO go to the police about 1t. In
the first place, | have made my ar
rangements TO dodge them, and in the
next you won't care to give yourself
away and be made laughing stock
of"
aYou reason logically" replied the
Hon. Charles as he also lighted cigar.
II have had this house hired for the
last five months. / am supposed to be
bachelor and fairly well Off, having
only a man 20 cook and wait upon me.
Ills name Is Thomas, and ho Is an ex-
cellent servant You can rest assured
that he never viii bring you into ridI-
cule over this affair"
''To sum up, my friend, this Is a put
up Job. | have been lured here In or
der that | may be forced to buy my
liberty. You want 5000. must con-
fess that while the price Is not extrav-
agant, / cannot see my way clear to
paying II Just now What conclusion
l may come to after three or four days
/ cannot say"
Every well" replied the explorer ut
IL thirteen feet 10 the partly opened
skyllght with no chance whatever OF
your reaching It. Thomas Will bring
you DI'hu uuu hht'i lhiNV hiiiNo
day, and ut night you shall havo u
mattress 10 rest on. Three days hence
! shall appear again. There Is no hur-
ry about this thing. After my next
appearance the price Of your liberty
will be added TO at the rate Of E100 per
day. You can afford TO pay. and can
afford to wait"
1t was o'clock IN the afternoon
when the Hon. Charles Bingham was
left alone In the garret room. lie did
not waste his energies by crying out
or tramping round. He did not look up
at the skylght except at long Intervals.
The American was no fool lie had
taken his precautions before bringing
Il prisoner 20 the house. At o'clock
Tho man Thomas came in. One look
at him was sufficient TO prove that he
was loyal TO his master He had n
frank and honest face. but he also had
u keen eye and was stoutly built Ho
brought bread and water. He was re-
spectful Ia his demeanor
"Sorry for your poor fare, your hon
or" he observed. but II only depends
on you to get better. The evening pa
pers may help you on n bit. III bring
In the mattress later. Also n candle"
"A faithful servant Is jewel OF rare
value" replied the captive as he ate
aud drank and seemed very much at
home