Charlevoix county herald. (East Jordan, Mich.) 189?-1953, 1907-04-20
CHAPTER xxxIIl.-continued.


ofkproperty could easily force the big
bahdits to consent to an honest, just.
rock-founded. iron-built reconstruc-
ton. My statement appeared in all
the morning papers throughout the
land. Turn back TO it; read it. You
will say that was right. Well
Toward two o'clock Inspector Craw-
ford came into my private office, es-
corted by Joe. l saw in Joe's scanned
green gray face that some new danger
had arisen. "You&e got to get out of
this" said he "The mob in front of
our place fills the three streets. It's
made UP OF crowds turned away from
the suspended banks"
| remembered the sullen faces and
the Kisses as | entered the office that
morning earlier th:y usual. My win
dows were closed 10 keep out the
street noises; but now that my mind
was up from the work in which | had
been absorbed, could hear the sounds
OF many voices, even through the thick
plate glass.
We've got 200 policemen here"
said the inspector Five hundred
more are on the way. But-really,
Mr. Blackjack. unless we can get you
away. therell be serious trouble.
Those damn newspapers! Every one
of them denounced You this morning,
and the people are in a fury against
you"
/ went toward the door.
Hold on, Matt" cried Joe, spring
ing at me and Selling me. Where
are you going?"
''To tell them what think of them"
replied [, sweeping him aside. For
my blood was up, and / was enraged
against the poor cowardy fools.
For Gods sake don't show your
SELF" he begged. IF you don't care
foy your own life, think of the rest
of US We've fixed a route through
buildings and under streets up to
Broadway. Your electric is waiting
for you there
1T won't do, said. I'll face 'em
its the only way"
I went to the window, and was about
to tarow up one of the sunblinds
for look at Them Crawford stopped
me- They'll stone the building and
then storm it," said he. You must
go at once, by the route we've ar
ranged
Even if You tell them I'm gone,
they won't believe it," replied I.
We can look out for that, said
joe eager 30 save me, and caring
nothing. about consequences to him
sell, But I had unsettled the in
spector.
N"Send for my electric to come down
here, said /. "I'll go out alone and
get In it and drive away"
'Thatll never do" cried Joe.
But the inspector said: You're
right, Mr. Blackjack. It's bare
chance. You may take 'em by sur
prise Again. some fellow may yell
and throw a stone and" He did not
need to finish
Joe looked wildly at me. You
mustn't do it, Natl" he exclaimed.
you'll precipitate a riot, Crawford,
il you permit this"
But the inspector was telephoning
for my electric. Then he went into
the adjoining room. where he COM
manded a view of the entrance.
Silence between Joe and me until he
returned.
THE electric is coming down the
street" said he.
I rose. Good" said I. I'm ready
Wait until the other police get
hero advised Crawford.
,,,Ob ie ia +Io torann- xyo,,
describe" said l, "the less that's done
to irritate it the better. | must go out
as ii I hadn't a suspicion of danger
The inspector eyed me with an
expression that was highly Catering
to my vanity
"IIl go with You" said Joe, start
ing UP from his stdpor
No" l replied. You and the other
fellows can take the underground
route. if it's necessary"
1T won't be necessary" put in the
inspector. "As soon as I'm rid of you
and have my additional force, I'll
clear the streets" He went to the
door. Wait, Mr.. Blackjack, until I've
Ead time to get out to my men,
Perhaps ten seconds after be disap-
peared I, without further words, put
on my hat, lit a cigar, shook Joe's wet,
trembling hand, left in it my private
KEYS and the memorandum of the
combination of my private vault.
Then | sailed forth.
had always had a ravenous appe-
tite for excitement, and | had been
i'm many a tight place; but for the
first time there seemed to me to be
an equilibrium between my internal
energy and the outside situation. AS
| stepped from my street door and
glanced about me, | had no feeling
of danger. The whole situation
seemed so simple. There stood the
electric, just across the narrow