The Montgomery advertiser., 1907-11-30
By ". B. MAXWELL, Author of .The Guarded Fiame.~ The Ragged Alessengef,"
 ~vivnn," Etc.
Copyright -so7 by W. D. Maxwell. all rights reserved uanWnauunMnMuMnMaan aanMuMu uWnuIna9an nm

ed conditional promises for a further Tour hundred. Really it is an invest ment as well as a safeguard-if we can secure these five acres at a mod crate ngure--and I see no reason why she new owners should not meet us iairiy-at the market price," 1T US a London company" said AL derman Hopkins. they'll blackmail l us.'' Do not let us conjure up bogies. Gentlemen, with the handsome response already received-I take it on myself 10 say that the money will be forth, coming" That" said Mir. Eaton. "is hit strong" t
 We feel strong because we have the "hoIe town at our backs" Hear, hear" said MT. Hope, F Aho propose. continued Mir. Gar rett with persuasive blandness, that we open negotiations without delay. | mouia suggest that we forthwith ap- point and depute a committee of say two or three influential men-and if al offer" ~'Soh-
 shall be glad" said Sir John. .to assist on the committee" .o,I said Mr. Hopkins. propose Mir. 'o2kins." voice. tuue
 T am cutie willing to serve," said MT. Eaton.
 Put 1t from the chair" Very good" and Sir John hurriedly ooeyed. Shall we say-Mr Garrett. Colonel Beaumont Mr.-er-HoIland- and myself?"
 T second that" said Colonel Beau. mont.
 Those in favor will kindiy."-and Sir John looked round at the lifted hands-'thank you. Against?. Yes-I think. carried" standing.
 There's three Hill men to one Town" Mir. Eaton objected.
 Well, then" Sir John went on, ea- gerly, i've empower them to treat with the vendors"
 May IF" said MT. Garrett with great suavity. Tt remains to discuss the price we are prepared--conditional of course-to give. It is back ground fortunately - withost frontage - but they will no doubt call 1t building land"
 Tt is building land." said MT. Dowi- ing.
 Tn g sense-yes. Here your expert knowledge will aid us. Mir. Bowling. ola1l we De ldT WTOHB we cStluitlte the value at fifteen hundred, and offer that price?" M
 q am quite unable to say"
 Three hundred an acre. Mir. Dowl- ing? That to three-fifty. eh?'
 "I'm sure I don't know"
 But you must know-as an archi- tect. you must be able to give an ex- pert opinion"
 T prefer not to give my opinion in this case"
 Rely? That is odd" and. uMr. Gar rett paused. Surely somewhat odd?"
 But MT. Bowling only looked up at the vaulted ceiling, and remained si- lent while MT. Garrett again, paused.
 Then Mir. Crunden grunted and rose from his far-off chair.
 II think" he said firmly. II can save waste of time. Your committee will fall. The land won't be sold to you"
 Everybody had turned and was look ing at him. but he was looking straight across the room at Sir John and at no one else.
 Wont be sold?"
 No. Not at your price"
 But. MT. Crunden." asked Sir John anxiously, "are you empowered to say that? Do you really know the views of the owner?
 Yes"
 "What Drlce tHeh' -,
 "Twenty-five thousand pounds"
 Cries of "Oh! Oh!' "Absurd" "R1di- culous," were succeeded by deep mur- mu rand then there was silence again.
 DO you speak authoritativeiy-tor the ownerF'
 'I am the owner. "That is a fact" said MT. Bowling. "Purchase completed at noon today
 "Ha, ha." said MT. Jack vincent, u;+h a short laugh Then 1t wasn't the man in the red tie. ., The room was filled with growing murmur. People, turning to one an- other. talked rapidly.
 ''Oh, oh." said many voices. Shame!" said a single voice; 'Blackmail"' said aonther voice. "oh, oh. oh" Then voice from the windows came loud and strong: Hedgehog Crunden."
 MT. Crunden.' said Alderman Hop kins impressively. you cant he in earnest. You cant wish to profit by the towns difficulty."
 You can't fly in the 'face of public opinion," said MT. Hope.
 Tt would be a shabby. disgraceful